May 28, 2009

The Churchill Centre honored its Patron, The Lady Soames LG DBE, Sir Winston’s daughter, with a unique dinner at The Pierre Hotel in New York City on Thursday, May 28th. Chairman Laurence Geller and Mr. and Mrs. Winston Churchill hosted the event, held in support of the Centre’s work. Also attending were Sir Winston’s granddaughter, the Hon. Celia Sandys. Most attendees were from the New York City area but others, including Marcus and Molly Frost, traveled across the country to be part of this wonderful evening.

Lady Soames became the Centre’s second Patron in 1983, following Lord Mountbatten of Burma, who was killed by terrorists in 1979. Her first event was a London dinner during the first of seventeen Churchill Tours sponsored by the organization, and numerous events since have been honored by her presence. Centre events since. Patron is a role we don’t try to define too narrowly, but it certainly includes acting a guide and sounding board to every initiative, even to the material in our publications.

Winston Churchill welcomed guests and shared many fond memories of his aunt. His cousin, Edwina Sandys, spoke of her many adventures with Lady Soames over the years. Laurence Geller thanked Lady Soames for remaining one of the Centre’s strongest and most dedicated supporters and encouraged guests to continue their commitment to the Centre’s work.

“Sir Winston Churchill’s words and deeds always resonate,” Mr. Geller said, “but they are more important than ever during these difficult times. The Churchill Centre’s most vital mission is to educate new generations through his example of leadership, statesmanship, vision and boldness-maintaining a global learning community, and keeping the name, words and achievements of Sir Winston Churchill vivid and accurate.”

Before the dinner ended, Lady Soames thanked her hosts for a lovely evening and expressed her appreciation to the guests for their support of The Churchill Centre. Everyone left realizing they were part of a memorable, even a historic, evening with a family that has not only witnessed but made history, and that our beloved Patron truly deserves the words her father spoke in tribute to Neville Chamberlain: “an English worthy.”