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Winston Churchill

by Danny from San Diego


"... We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end... we shall fight in the seas and oceans... we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender...."

The confidence, strength and resilience of Winston Churchill are clearly defined by this declaration of resistance. His entire life was a struggle, but for Winston he was glad to take on the burden of leadership to best serve his country that he loved. Born in November 30th 1874, Winston Churchill did not show much talent and was seen as a failure.  However, he showed interest in the military and graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst. He served in many of England's wars serving in India, Sudan Africa and WWI.  He would later lead his people to victory in the World War II and through the Cold War.


A hero must possess strength and a will to help others in Churchill's case he desired to help his country and the strength to follow it through. Winston Churchill was the hero of the highest caliber, his strength and perseverance, allowed him to influence others to have courage, and for him to serve his country to the very end. Winston Churchill showed strength during his whole life but his greatest hour was during the battle of Briton. When the BBC, the London Times, and Neville Chamberlain, said "appease Mr. Hitler", Churchill said Resist. Even though it seemed like there was no hope, Churchill stood like a rock. An avid description of Churchill was

Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he engaged in difficult shuttle diplomacy to build and sustain the Grand Alliance with Soviet political leader Joseph Stalin and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His stature remained high, even as Britain's war contribution paled beside that of the United States and Soviet Union. Put simply, his policy was to take the offensive and to strive for victory. (Churchill, Winston. International)

 

 He chose to resist tyranny and oppression and fight for freedom. Other leaders may have had the same motivation and the will, but only Churchill showed the strength to actually go through with his plans. Churchill showed strength in many different times during his life, starting from when he first joined the Army. When Churchill was captured by the Boers during the Boer War, his allies threw "Churchill in a coal mine then transported him to safety by having Churchill squeeze into a hole at the end of a train car loaded with bales of wool. Upon reaching Durban, South Africa, Winston Churchill found himself a hero" (Churchill honored). He was able to escape because he was not willing to give up at any cost; and this trait was seen many times during Winston's life time. Even during World War II, when his country would face its greatest hardship by far. Everyone has the good in his heart to help others, anyone can think of making a difference, however true heroes are the ones with the strength to satisfy these goals. Winston Churchill's greatest trait was nothing extravagant or fancies it was his great strength and perseverance which made him a Hero.

Not only was Winston able to push himself, but he also inspired and motivated his countrymen into success and victory. Winston Churchill's influence on his people could not have been more obvious at the time. "The British people refused to give in despite the tremendous odds against them. Churchill's personal courage, the magic of his words, and his faith in victory inspired the British to "their finest hour." The mere sight of this stocky, determined man--a cigar in his mouth and two fingers raised high in a "V for victory" salute--cheered the people. Churchill seemed to be John Bull, the symbol of the English people, come to life."(Thompson). He inspired British people to never give up, to push through. There for his own strength and courage reflected among his people. In order to lead well you must inspire those who you lead. Churchill's inspiration not only let him lead his people, but let him become one of them. He became a prime minister during one of the worst times in history. There was another World war going on and England and her allies where at the receiving end of the beating."Churchill's inspirational speeches when Britain had little else to fight with roused the nation and convinced his colleagues to fight on even after Hitler's armies had conquered France and dominated most of Western Europe"(Churchill Honored). When countless others have already failed it is hard for you to gather up the courage to succeed. Winston's speeches and presence roused his nation to resist till the very end. So much was already at stake and all the pressure was on Churchill's shoulders; never the less he kept pressuring and leading the country men until they finally achieved victory.

The greatest act of heroism is servitude to your country, risking your life for your fellow countrymen and leading them in times of need. No one else can claim as much as Winston Churchill that they gave it their all to serve their country. "His eyes bright with tears, he denied having inspired the United Kingdom during World War II."It was the nation and the race dwelling all round the globe that had the lion's heart," he said. "I had the luck to be called on to give the roar."(Thompson). Even when he was given credit for what he had done, he denied till the utmost end that he was a hero. He insisted that it was not him but his countrymen that were the Heroes. This shows his true dedication to his country, he did care what his country did for him, but how much he did for his country. Even when the greatest danger had passed Churchill continued serving till him possibly could. "He had also refused an earldom and a dukedom. As an earl or a duke, he could not have served in Commons."(Thompson). Instead of retiring and living a comfortable life as a noble, he declined the offer so he could continue serving his country, titles were not important to him. He served England from when he was a young boy till he had become an old man. He gave his life, the ultimate sacrifice to serve his country. Winston risked his life many times fighting as a young man in England's wars. Later he led lives to victory and peace during England's hardest time. No other has ever given his country so much and received so little. His self sacrifice and servitude to his country makes him a true hero. You are only as great as your actions most people have the will to serve, they have the will to help others, but they don't have the strength. Only Winston had that trait to achieve this.

Winston's actions were admirable only because his love for his country pushed him to take that action. He inspires me because he was able to help others in an honest straight forward way. His act of heroism protected the free world and all of Europe. It is admirable when one can use his strength to protect the ones he love and the country he loves. There are many kinds of heroes but the greatest are the one who not only takes the chance to risk their own lives but have the courage to lead others and save their lives. When you're a great person your words will carry much weight but your actions will be able to change the world. One such great person was Winston, he did not preach others to be great, rather he used his actions encouraged and influenced.

 

Works Consultant

"Churchill Honored" with US Citizenship." Welcome to WinstonChurchill.org. The Churchill

Centre and the Museums at the Churchill War Room, 10 June 2011. Web. 03 May 2012. .

"Churchill, Winston." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Ed. William A. Darity,

Jr. 2nd ed.Vol. 1. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 537-538. Gale Virtual

Reference Library. Web. 8 May 2012.

"Churchill, Winston." UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Laura B. Tyle. Vol. 3.Detroit:

            UXL, 2003. 472-475. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 May 2012.

Thompson, Carol L. "Churchill, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer." World Book Advanced. World

            Book, 2012. Web.  2 May 2012.



 

Page created on 5/27/2012 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/27/2012 12:00:00 AM

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