He Stood Alone

Picture from the Library of Congress online exhibition, Churchill and the Great Republic.

One of my personal heroes is Sir Winston Churchill. No saint, not perfect by any means. Life dealt him several heavy blows; his ambition sometimes got the better of him; he contended with depression all his life - his "black dog," as he called it. But however ugly it got, Sir Winston refused to give up.

Forced into political exile by 1930, Churchill refused to give up and retire. Instead, he fought on, for his country and for himself, and when the Second World War came, he stood up and took the helm.

Through the dark days of 1940, when England stood alone against the Nazi onslaught, Churchill led his nation and steeled them with his words. And eventually led them to victory - although just before its conclusion, he lost the office of Prime Minister.

Churchill became a master of the English language, wrote extensively, and can claim the title of the greatest orator of the 20th Century. His words still inspire, still hearten, still gladden.

So I now proudly introduce what will hopefully be a running weekly Friday feature: the Churchill Quote of the week.

Churchill Quote of the Week: "War of the Unknown Warriors"
"This is no war of chieftains or of princes, of dynasties or national ambition; it is a war of peoples and of causes. There are vast numbers, not only in this Island but in every land, who will render faithful service in this war, but whose names will never be known, whose deeds will never be recorded. This is a War of the Unknown Warriors; but let all strive without failing in faith or in duty, and the dark curse of Hitler will be lifted from our age."
- Sir Winston Churchill, BBC broadcast, London, July 14, 1940 (Courtesy the Churchill Centre)