There is a great deal of ambiguity and unease concerning the D-day celebrations in the sheer number of lives lost in that historic event and the subsequent traumas still suffered by their families and the survivors.

The increasing use of 'living history' presentations leave a greater impression than the written word and if done in an unbiased way and in context, insights can be gained.

Visits by GCSE students to the war cemeteries have brought home the enormity of the consequences of war and the moral dilemmas involved.

For young children who love dressing up and emulating adults, the sights and sounds of wartime at Aldbourne must have been thrilling. However, it is ironic that whilst our children enjoy a fun day out playing with unloaded guns, children in other parts of the world are fighting for their lives with the real thing.

It is encouraging to read of the United Nations' protocol on child soldiers that states children under 18 years should not be sent into combat and the increasing numbers of countries who are signing up to that.

It is good to know of the enlightened work taking place in our schools where children are learning mediation and conflict resolution skills to avoid resorting to violence.

These are the tools needed to equip our future young citizens. Let us encourage them to understand and learn the alternatives to the outdated violence that begets yet more misery, insecurity and heartache.

Gil Brookes

Devizes Peace Group

Market Lavington