On Tuesday June 12, 2024, during a gala at London’s historic Guildhall, America’s National Churchill Museum at Westminster College presented the Winston Churchill Leadership Medal Award to soldier, global media pioneer, global-health statesman Bill Roedy.
The Museum is pleased to acknowledge with thanks the many individuals who contributed to the success of the event.
Proceeds will sustain and strengthen the Museum, its education and exhibition programs, as well as the enduring and inspiring lessons we continue to learn about freedom, democracy, and global welfare from leaders like Winston Churchill and Bill Roedy.
If you would like to join the many who have already pledged their support, we invite you to contribute today.
Bill Roedy had the audacious idea of bringing MTV to East Germany, helping topple the Wall that divided the country for more than three decades. Like Westminster College, he possesses a generous section of the Berlin Wall. Mr. Roedy’s piece is inscribed with a personal message from former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, which reads, “Music is more powerful than missiles.”
Mr. Roedy:
“When I was reading his [Winston Churchill’s] speech many years ago, I realized that it was really a statement of peace and stability … which I thought was interesting, because the key messages are sometimes buried behind his warning.”
Bill Roedy During the 75th Anniversary of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” Speech
During the Cold War, the Soviets "stole" the MTV signal, and Mr. Roedy responded simply: “Let them.” Let them know harmony, let them know freedom, let them know peace. He knew that allowing access to a world outside their own would help end the Cold War. And it did.
Please join us in honoring Mr. Roedy with an investment in the future of our history. Please consider making a gift in honor of Mr. Roedy to America’s National Churchill Museum today.
“Music is more powerful than missiles.”
Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to Mr. Roedy during a NATO meeting