It is provident that in some of the world’s crises great leaders were on the stage of history. The United Nations were indeed fortunate to have at their head such men as President Roosevelt, Generalissimo Stalin and Mr. Churchill. They were the heads of the three great democracies which bore the brunt of the material side of the war. But, of equal importance, and to an extent difficult to over-estimate, was the spiritual support of the smaller countries who fought with us. Hitler’s great mistake was to believe that if he succeeded in conquering Europe physically, he could also harness it spiritually. He failed first and foremost in the case of Czechoslovakia when its President, Dr. Benes, in 1938, after the Munich crisis, refused to tip his hat to Hitler’s gangster methods. It was the example of Dr. Benes, which to a large extent gave us courage and determination in the early days to pursue the war to its final victorious end. Thus, he surely deserves a place beside the other three great leaders.

I had the honor during the war, to command the soldiers of many nations. Among these many soldiers, I also had command of the Czechoslovakian Armored Brigade, a Bomber Squadron and three Fighter Squadrons. They were all splendid soldiers, who contributed materially and spiritually to the success of the war. I repeat once again that a great deal of the credit must go to your outstanding President and leader, Dr. Benes. It is this spirit that I raise my glass in his honor!