Thethemeoftheday,asoutlinedbythecommemorationhost,FrenchPresidentJacquesChirac,wasthatmodernleadershavethedutytohonorwhatthetroopswhotookpartinD-Daydiedfor,bystandingtogetherinthecauseoffreedomanddemocracy.

Mr.ChiractoldaninternationalceremonyinthetownofArromanches,midwayalongthe100kilometerstretchofcoastwherethelandingstookplace,thatthemenwhofoughttheirwayontothebeachesofNormandysetanexampleforfuturegenerations.AndhereiteratedthatFranceisgratefulforAmerica'scomingtoitsaidintwoworldwars.

"FrancewillneverforgetwhatitowesAmerica."hesays,"AndlikeallthecountriesofEurope,FranceiskeenlyawarethattheAtlanticalliance,forgedinadversity,remains,inthefaceofnewthreats,afundamentalelementofEurope'scollectivesecurity."

Atanearlierceremony,PresidentBushalsostressedtheimportanceofbondsthatwereforgedbyacommonstruggleagainsttyranny."Ourgreatallianceoffreedomisstrong,anditisstillneededtoday,"saidMr.Bush.

Buttheemphasisattheceremonieswasonhonoringthesacrificeofthemenwhostormedthebeaches60yearsago,orwereparachutedorflownintosupportthem.

One-hundred-forty-twoveteransfromthe14countriesthattookpartinthelandingsmarchedpastthereviewingstandtothunderousapplause.Someusedcanes.Afewwereinwheelchairs,butmostmarchedsmartly,medalspinnedontheirchest.

PresidentChiraclatergave14ofthem,onefromeachcountry,aprizedFrenchdecorationtoaddtotheircollection.

ThiswasthefirsttimeaGermanchancellorwasinvitedtoaD-Dayceremony,andMr.ChiracsaysthepresenceofGerhardSchroedermeansonce-bitterenemieshaveputtheirpastbehindthem.

HesaysFranco-Germanreconciliationshowstheworldthathatredhasnofutureandthatapathtopeaceisalwayspossible.

Apublicopinionpoll,takeninNormandy,showsthatthepeopleoftheregionoverwhelminglysupportMr.Schroeder'spresenceattheD-Daycommemorations.

AndalthoughsomeAlliedwarveteranscontinuetoinsistthatGermanyshouldbekeptatarm'slength,mostappeartoagreethattheworldhasmovedonand,whilethebloodshedofWorldWarIIshouldnotbeforgotten,itistimeforreconciliation.