We shall never surrender...

I am currently working through a biography on Winston Churchill by Roy Jenkins; it's a "meaty read" but well worth it! The inside of the dust jacket reads...

Winston Churchill is an icon of modern history, but even though he was at the forefront of the political scene for almost sixty years, he might be remembered only as a minor player in the drama of British government had it not been for World War II...

Never let the illusion of time stop you from doing what you want to do... you are never too young, and you are never too old! 

The icon that is Winston Churchill was forged in one of the most challenging times in modern history; 60 Million people died in World War II and the geo-political landscape that we know today still echoes from Churchill's meetings with Roosevelt and Stalin...

Never back down from the challenge or the fight; your steel, your conviction, your character... who you are, will be found there. This is where your greatness is forged!

My grandmother (god bless her soul), gave me a book of Churchill's speeches when I was seven and to this day I remember the words, "we shall never surrender". These words come from Churchill's famous June 4th, 1940 call to arms speech entitled, "We shall fight on the beaches"* and will forever be with me as I make my way.

The promotion I wanted but didn't get... "never surrender".
The relationship that is supposed to be, but didn't happen... "never surrender".
That voice that should be heard, but isn't ... "never surrender".
That spirit that should be free, but isn't ... "never surrender".
That passion that has not yet been found ... "never surrender".
Choosing to do "what is right"... "never surrender".
The freedoms that so many fought and died for ... "NEVER SURRENDER

Off to read some more...Thank you Gramma!

iamgpe

*Winston Churchill's full speech: I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength. Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, 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, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.