The King's Speech

   One of my favourite movies is "The King's Speech". It is about King George VI of the United Kingdom and his struggle with stammering. One of my favourite parts of the movie is at the end. The King gives a radio address after the announcement that war has been declared on Germany. In the movie the focus is on his ability to get through the speech with minimal or no stammering. I personally like to think about that speech.
  It must have been a hard speech to give on many levels. King George VI had been involved in World War I as he was in the Royal Navy and later transferred to the Air Force. Although he served in staff positions,he did become a qualified pilot. He knew the effects of war.
  He may have known that this war was not going to be like the last. In the last war, which ended only 20 years before, the fighting was mainly in Europe, Africa and Asia. This time the fighting would come closer to home as planes could now drop bombs on the citizens of the country he now ruled.
  Diplomacy had been tried and had failed. Germany had invaded and taken over other countries. Treaties and promises had been broken. The United Kingdom and other countries were now in danger. There was only one option and that was to fight.
  That was the main point of the King's first wartime speech. In it he says,"We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world.    It is the principle which permits a state, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its treaties and its solemn pledges; which sanctions the use of force, or threat of force, against the sovereignty and independence of other states.    Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that "might is right"; and if this principle were established throughout the world, the freedom of our own country and of the whole of the British Commonwealth of Nations would be in danger. But far more than this -- the peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear, and all hopes of settled peace and of the security of justice and liberty among nations would be ended."
   When he gave this speech, he had no idea what toll the war would take on the United Kingdom. Many places were bombed including Buckingham Palace. Many lives were lost including the life of the King's brother, Prince George Duke of Kent.
    This is what my father-in-law fought for when he joined the Army and left South Carolina. Two of my uncles also left their home in Wisconsin to fight against, "the mere primitive doctrine that 'might is right'".
   War is an ugly horrible thing. No one in their right mind wants to start one. Sometimes though, there are times when you have to fight. When you have to stand up, when you have to do the things you never expected to do. I'm grateful, on the Memorial Day,for those who chose to stand up.

In memory of Mr. Warren, Uncle Jerry and Uncle Tony

You are loved. You are missed.

 Thank you.