I am a veteran of D-Day, and I write to congratulate you on your very valued support of World War II veterans.

Your article headed "Let's show the veterans how much we care" (Western Daily Press, February 14), says it all.

At 88, my memory is not so good, but there are times I remember only too well and I certainly remember my old mates and those who were not so lucky as me and who reside among their 4,000 comrades in the immaculate Bayeux War Graves Commission cemetery.

For many years, a party of us veterans, all having landed on the Normandy beaches, have each year visited our old mates but, sadly, our visits had to stop three years ago.

This was because of old age, sickness and, of course, the inevitable. But those of us who have survived and those of us who are fit enough are looking forward to our last visit to the beaches for the 65th anniversary commemorations in June.

Expenses for our forthcoming visit, such as wives and carers, medical aids and insurance, are not normally mentioned, but I assure you they can be considerable.

To those of us who consider the Government should help – after all, they are our grandchildren – brings to mind some of the last words of our commanding officer.

He said: "Lads, we are about to land – we are doing this to defeat a Nazi dictator and restore freedom to the Continent, for our country, our way of life, our wives, our children and their children".

To those who consider that the National Lottery could help, I would mention that in April 7, 2004, it was reported that the help veterans received was £28,000 as against £1,383,664 for refugee groups.

And to the best of my knowledge, £420,000 went to the Cusichaca Trust for a programme to cross-breed Peruvian guinea pigs.

Whether or not they will do better for this final anniversary remains to be seen.

Eric Mattocks Taunton Somerset