Governor Kehoe, former U.S. ambassador to speak at ‘Iron Curtain’ anniversary speech
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)
Governor Mike Kehoe made opening remarks at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, on Friday for the 80th anniversary of the former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's speech “The Sinews of Peace.”
"He [Churchill] warned of an Iron Curtain descending across Europe, but he also called for something far greater: unity among free nations, a moral courage in the face of tyranny, and a steadfast commitment to peace through strength," Kehoe said in his opening remarks.
Churchill visited the college campus in March 1946, following the end of World War II, according to America's National Churchill Museum. The speech was centered around the U.S. coming out of the war as a world power and tackling communism in Europe.
Kehoe kicked off the event at 10 a.m. in the St. Mary Aldermanbury Sanctuary, and former U.S. Ambassador Ken Adelman will speak at 1:30 p.m.
The school said in a news release that this visit coincides with efforts to make America's National Churchill Museum a National Historical Landmark.
On Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Onder on Tuesday. A similar bill passed the U.S. Senate in December. A similar bill sponsored by Sen. Josh Hawley was passed in December.
Churchill famously said an "iron curtain" was drawn across Europe, referencing the Soviet Union's influence. The college's campus has a piece of the Berlin Wall on display outside the church.
Adelman was arms control director for President Ronald Reagan during the Cold War, and attended the superpower summit with Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, according to America’s National Churchill Museum. Adelman was also a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and an assistant director of defense.
Kehoe said in an interview after his opening remarks that much of what Churchill said can be applied to the conflict in Iran.
"Our freedom was built on peace through strength, and I think you're seeing that happen on a global stage right now," Kehoe said. "Many of our allies have come together to make sure that we don't have a nation that has literally has been under totalitarianism rule since 1979."
Kehoe said he wants freedom for the Iranian people.
When asked if there was anything the U.S. could take away from the 80-year-old speech given the Iran conflict, Adelman said Churchill made it clear what values should be supported and those opposed.
"The main part is that there are people who believe in freedom, who believe in the democratic way, who believe in decency. We should support those people and not be enamored by the Putins of the day who believe in none of that stuff," Adelman said.
Adelman said under the Trump administration is seems like the U.S. is "defending our foes and throwing our allies under the bus."
