Photo taken at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms in London. May 2013.

One of many earnest trans-atlantic phone discussions between Winston Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt, code-named “Mr. Smith and Mr. White.” He requested U.S. involvement time and again.
Send war ships, Mr. President, even rusting destroyers from WWI.
You mustn’t count us out. The U.S. needs Britain as much as Europe does.
Send money.
He did not kow-tow but he did remain persistent, and with “candor and confidence,” he made his requests and the needs of his country known (in code, though).
For he knew the very fabric of his country was fraying and, if it did not receive aid and soon, it would be in grave danger of shredding altogether. And, this could not be; this could not ever be.
The threat was great.
Churchill’s unflagging determination was greater.

“If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time. A tremendous whack.” -Winston Churchill

“Never, never, never give up.” -Winston Churchill

For interesting background on the room in which these conversations took place, read this fascinating post by Art-e-facts.