Admirers reflect on Churchill's life during 50th anniversary of his death

British ambassador, Churchill descendants travel to Fulton for ceremony

Duncan Sandys, the great grandson of Winston Churchill, and Edwina Sandys, Churchill's granddaughter, place a wreath onto a statue in front of the National Churchill Museum on Saturday following a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Churchill's death.
Duncan Sandys, the great grandson of Winston Churchill, and Edwina Sandys, Churchill's granddaughter, place a wreath onto a statue in front of the National Churchill Museum on Saturday following a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Churchill's death.

Sounds from a trumpet resonated inside the Church of St. Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury Saturday as international and state leaders and community members silently reflected on the life of Sir Winston Churchill.

They gathered on the 50th anniversary of Churchill's death for a service derived from his Jan. 30, 1965 funeral. A passage from Corinthians was read, the Our Father prayer was recited and voices sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" - one of Churchill's favorites - during the only remembrance service in the U.S.

Churchill's granddaughter, Edwina Sandys, and his great grandson, Duncan Sandys, represented the Churchill family, while British Ambassador to the United States Sir Peter Westmacott attended on behalf of the Queen of England, Elizabeth II. Westmacott reflected on how Churchill "always saw a deep connection" between Britain and America. The common goal, he said, between the two countries - democracy.

Westmacott quoted Churchill's letter to President John F. Kennedy after earning status as an honorable U.S. citizen.

"...The Atlantic community is a dream that can well be fulfilled to the detriment of none and to the enduring benefit and honour of the great democracies," Westmacott said, reading Churchill's letter.

Churchill decided to speak at Westminster College in March 1946, after accepting a hand-written invitation from President Harry S. Truman - a Missouri native.

"We can be very glad of President Truman's note and Prime Minister Churchill's acceptance," Gov. Jay Nixon said during the service. "Our state is truly honored to be part of the Churchill legacy, especially today as we celebrate the memory of this great man 50 years after his passing. May God continue to bless both nations and the binds that tie us so closely."

Churchill gave his Iron Curtain speech at the college - warning the world of the Soviet Union's post-World War II policies in Europe. Although his coming to Westminster was somewhat a matter of happenstance, Westmacott said Churchill knew he was giving an important speech even if his ideas were unpopular.

"At a time everyone was relieved and pleased the war was over ... there was Winston Churchill warning that an Iron Curtain had descended on the other side of the earth," Westmacott said to the media.

The event forever tied Fulton, a small Missouri town, to one of the greatest leaders of all time. Westmacott said that's a connection Fulton and Missouri have not taken lightly.

"... Here we are in a state which has taken Churchill to its heart ... I think the state, the museum, the Churchill Center and the college has done a wonderful job of keeping the memory alive," he said.

And that was the purpose of Saturday's service - remembering Churchill, his character and conduct and what can be learned from him even 50 years after his death.

"I think anniversaries have a particular role. They help us remember the individual and what they stood for," Westmacott said. "In the case of Churchill, I think it's a reminder of the great man and what he stood for and the values he held dear. And, the importance of politicians and statesmen to face up honestly to realities and challenges which are in front of us and not to put their heads in sand like ostriches, which is what a lot of people were doing in the 1930s and what some people were doing in the 1940s in face of the demonstrable threat posed by Communism."

While Churchill admirers were congregating in Fulton, his descendents held a special service in St. Martin's Church at Bladon, where he's buried. After the formal ceremony in Fulton, Westmacott and Duncan Sandys and his aunt, Edwina, placed wreaths on the Churchill statue located in front of the National Churchill Museum.

Duncan Sandys said it's important to teach the next generation about his great grandfather - a responsibility he has taken on throughout his life and particularly with his 6-year-old son Julian. He said by understanding history, his son is able "to learn about lessons of history that can be applied today."

Despite the fact Churchill has been gone for 50 years, Edwina Sandys said his legacy continues.

"...History is never done - it's never quite dusted," she said.

Before placing the wreath at the Churchill statue, Edwina Sandys summed up the importance of history - in her grandfather's words.

"The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see."