A Lasting Inspiration

 

Hi everyone, Da Harv here and welcome to my library. Besides my Dad… He became my next favorite…WIT!

Winston Churchill, November 30, 1874 – January 24, 1965. That would make him a Sagittarius just like Da Harv.

It was on or about 1965, when I had reached the ripe old age of 32. It was then when I began devoting an almost monthly experience into the life and times of perhaps the greatest world leader that ever lived. He was Sir Winston Churchill. In May 1940, Churchill, “British Bulldog”, as he was known, became “Prime Minister ” of Great Britain. For over fifty years, I’ve been sporadically enjoying listening to words of inspiration being offered by my favorite “Nobel Prize Winner”, for Literature, my hero as well, Winston Churchill.

I’d like to offer to all that know Da Harv as an educator my recommendation of a book I am currently in the process of personally enjoying. It’s titled, “The Definitive WIT of Winston Churchill”. It was edited by Richard Langworth.

In my opinion, you won’t find a more definitive work than what Richard M. Langworth has been able to compile. The sheer volumes of Winston Churchill’s work are represented in the most comprehensive compilation of “Churchill Witticisms” I’ve ever come across.
Philip Clark was a voice-over actor who for many years came to our studio to audition for voice over commercials. Aside from being a very talented performer, Philip was a “Winston Churchill”, high-powered buff, and prideful enthusiast of “Winnies” work, and it goes nice together. He would’ve enjoyed that. Of course, it also talks about drinking and cigar smoking habits. I enjoyed Philip’s stories, and he in turn showed equal relish for mine. (although I would never claim to have risen to the comprehensive heights of Churchill’s expertise Philip did).

Philip and I enjoyed every discussion we ever had about “Bulldog”. It made us both laugh out loud I might say. My favorite to tell Philip about was how I worked many of our Winston Churchill stories into my teaching repertoire. Especially when the class was made up of younger people who hadn’t known much about this great man.

And one remembrance discovered by Richard Langworth that is particularly charming: “The British Empire and the United States will have to be somewhat mixed together in some of their affairs for mutual and general advantage.” And then Winston might’ve coughed, cleared his throat and began singing. …Like the Mississippi, it just keeps rolling along.

It was 1940 Winston Churchill sang all the way back to Downing Street in the back of his car after his BBC Broadcast of that speech. And from my musical volume three of Great Speeches of the 20th century (cut #3). Prime Minister Winston Churchill has duplicated his Address to the nation on the R.A.F (Royal Air Force).

“… this was their finest hour.” And that little phrase in that one speech that one time was taught in every college that even remotely touched on politics. In that moment, the city of London Number 10 Downing Street was the prime target of the German Luftwaffe. That term: “this was the finest hour” was from the greatest leader of that era. He walked, or you could say barged out on to the street knowing it was the most dangerous thing he had ever done in his life. And huddled with people in the streets as bombs fell around him.

It was London, England, June 18th, 1940. A time for the world to remember and never ever forget. And please listen closely my dearest of friends. At the time of this broadcast, our great world leader may have been tired, but never out as his country’s foremost leader.

For some reason, children love hearing about how close the USA and Great Britain our friends across the pond were and remain with us today.

You’re all very welcome to listen. Love and learn.

Truly yours, the very humble, Da Harv. And were Churchill here today, he would say as a Bulldog: “As well you should be!”

-da harv

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