My Journey From Despair to Victory This Summer

This past spring my wife Alex and I went to Poland for the March of the Living, visiting all the main camps, ghettos, and museums. To stand in the gas chambers where millions of Jews were led under the false pretense of a shower, the cattle cars where over a hundred at a time were jammed in, the death camps where countless Jews toiled and perished… it was gutting, but it provided so much perspective. I like to say the lessons from the past can help guide us in the future. We can never let this happen again.

This was followed by a trip with my fellow West Point brothers to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where we walked the windswept beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. It was difficult, but necessary. Two of our brothers - one of which is no longer with us - are actually sons of brave soldiers who were there, dropping in by parachute that risky night. To literally walk in their father’s footsteps onsite felt poignant to say the least.

Afterwards, we all went to London to celebrate Churchillian leadership, attending the Churchill Leadership Award Gala where I received the Leadership Medal, a tremendous honor and proud moment for me. We were graced with speeches by Churchill’s great-grandson Mr. Randolph Churchill, Baron Andrew Roberts of Belgravia, and Tim Riley, Director and Chief Curator for The National Churchill Museum at Westminster College. It was such a once-in-a-lifetime occasion that saw the diverse unity of Miami Beach movers and shakers, West Point Veterans, Global Health leaders, the MTV crew, and everyone in between. There was no better way to honor his legacy than with Churchillian friends and mentors by my side.

From the despair of the Holocaust, to the victories in battle, to finally reflecting on Churchill’s leadership which was absolutely necessary to pull it off… this summer was incredibly and profoundly meaningful.

For a recap of the Churchill Awards, please visit the Geopolitics page.

March of the Living in Germany and Poland

Outside of Auschwitz concentration camp

Bill with Mark Baranek of Temple Beth Shalom, Miami Beach

Bill and Alex outside of Auschwitz

Outside of Wannsee, where the final solution meeting was held.

Gathered around the memorial at Majdanek concentration camp 

Inside the Jewish Community Center

Treblinka concentration camp, where 11 stones stand with the names of countries from which Jews were brought to the camp

Treblinka memorial

Jewish Cemetery on Okopowa Street in Warsaw – one of the largest mass graves in Europe

Bill speaking to the March of the Living group on their way to the next stop

The Rabbi who led our March of the Living group

Normandy D-Day Tour in France

West Point Class of 1970, our Band of Brothers!

Group photo - this time with the lovely wives!

Group tour of the Normandy beaches

Normandy American Cemetery

Back on the road!

D-Day impersonators

The Chateau in Normandy where all the West Pointers stayed

Churchill Leadership Award Gala in London

Bill gives an electrifying speech to kick things off at the Churchill Pre-Party

Bill and Alex with The London Belles

Alex with Miami Beach police officers

Bill with a few of his West Point buddies and their lovely wives

Bill standing with a statue of Winston Churchill at the Guildhall in London.

Bill and Alex welcome guests at the entrance

A Stunning performance of the British and American national anthems

Bill receiving the Churchill Leadership Medal Award

Bill's fellow Churchill Fellows

An amazing performance by the D-Day Darlings

West Point Class of 1970