AS Margaret Thatcher said during her occupation of 10 Downing Street: ‘You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning.’

The Iron Lady always stuck to her guns but her refusal to listen to others, or change her mind in the face of public opinion, led to the bloodless cabinet coup that brought her downfall.

Politicians are not natural U-turners. As a U-turn is a complete change in policy, it can be assumed that the original decision was flawed. Politicians have a tendency to believe they are always right, so having to admit they were wrong shows a lack of judgment and erodes the confidence of the voting public. Moreover, who wants to be governed by those who can’t make up their minds, change course mid-way through terms of office or revisit previous decisions? Well, apart from this little rock, that is.

Notwithstanding the ineptitude of parliamentary ditherers, a deftly executed U-turn, that steers the course back firmly in tune with public opinion, or more importantly that of the national media – in particular columnists and leader writers – can make even the most unpopular of politicians a winner.

Such was the situation last week when the national press, led by none other than the outspoken Daily Mail, informed the public that not only would the Royal Family and the Prime Minister be absent from the 65th anniversary in June of the D-Day Landings, unlike the 60th anniversary, there would be no financial assistance for veterans wanting to make the pilgrimage back to remember their fallen comrades.

Within three days Premier Gordon Brown announced that not only would he be attending, but also senior Royals would be joining the world’s heads of state at major international gatherings in Normandy. More importantly, there would be financial assistance for those veterans who wanted to return.

Happy days, but aged men, worn down and wearied by the years denied to those who died fighting tyranny, need more than cash. There are those who need physical assistance to get not just to France, but also to the beaches and fields forever stained with the blood of those who fought to establish an Allied foothold in Europe.

There are men who live in our Island community who took part in the D-Day Landings – Islanders who helped to liberate Europe. There is nothing obvious that makes them stand out from the crowd, yet 65 years ago these ordinary men summoned up their courage and answered the call to undertake extraordinary deeds in exceptional circumstances.

None is under 80 years of age and some suffer from ill health, but come June they will be returning in a tour organised for the dwindling band that is the Jersey Normandy Veterans Association Branch 100. As they have done many times in recent years, they will attend commemorations, visit beaches, reminisce, shed a tear or two and enjoy the finest French cuisine before raising a glass or more to long-departed friends.

Unlike those who forever lie in a foreign field, they will come home to their ordinary lives, family and friends. Come next year, the year after and the one following, God willing, they will return until there is none left.

Five years ago, as a Jersey Evening Post reporter, I had the honour and privilege of accompanying the Jersey veterans to the 60th anniversary commemorations. On a blazing hot day I stood ringside at the British Cemetery in Bayeux, among the national and international media pack, in close proximity to heads of states and European royalty, to remember British and then Empire troops who fought and fell in June 1944. Surrounding this privileged group, standing carefully so as not to step on the seemingly endless rows of graves were hundreds of veterans, family and friends.

Living as we do in an era where an alarming percentage of school children think that Adolf Hitler was the wartime British leader, it should not be taken for granted that everyone is fully cognisant of the significance of D-Day.

Operation Overlord was the greatest combined military operation in the history of mankind. It was launched on the night of 5 June 1944, with the main invasion force landing in the early hours of the 6th, with the one aim of liberating Europe from Nazi domination. That fleet, under the command of the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D Eisenhower, comprised 6,483 vessels carrying 132,715 troops and 13,743 aircraft, including those carrying 23,400 parachutists and 867 towed gliders.

In addition there were the Royal and Merchant Navy crews and the thousands of men and women behind the scenes who never left the UK. The scale and ambition of Operation Overlord is still mind-boggling today, when advances in military hardware mean that a single guided missile can settle a battle with a direct strike.

Five years ago, as I accompanied veterans in the streets of Caen – the Normandy capital razed to the ground in the Battle for Normandy and rebuilt to is former glory – it was common for French men and women of all ages to approach the veterans, shake their hands, hug them and thank them for winning their freedom. When these old men passed by bars and cafés frequented by today’s soldiers relaxing over a beer or ten, spontaneous applause would break out accompanied by cheering and standing ovations.

When it comes to anniversaries there are those who say we should only mark landmark years – such as 25, 50 and 75 years after an event and centenaries. That is fine for those with time on their hands but for old men and women, who want to bid a final farewell to friends or to honour their fellows, then each year is a special occasion.

As long as those who played a part no matter how significant or minor are alive, then each year is a precious date to remember. When they are all gone subsequent generations will remember them on Armistice Day and landmark dates.

In June 1944 there could be no turning back. A U-turn was out the question. That greatest of generations, which faced adversity and overcame tyranny, is forever in our debt. Salute them all on 6 June.