Monday, February 21, 2005

George Washington's Birthday

George Washington was Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

The Father of Our Country was a man of great personal integrity, with a deeply-held sense of duty, honor and patriotism. He was courageous and far-sighted, holding the Continental Army together through eight hard years of war and numerous privations, sometimes by sheer force of will. He never accepted pay during his military service, and was reluctant to assume any of the offices thrust upon him. When John Adams recommended him to the Continental Congress for the position of general and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Washington left the room to allow any dissenters to freely voice their objections. In later accepting the post, Washington told the Congress that he was unworthy of the honor.
From childhood onward, young George was conscientious of maintaining a good reputation, and he even wrote a book of rules for himself to follow. It is often said that one of Washington's greatest achievements was refraining from taking more power than was due. When creating the new county he was opposed to nepotism or cronyism, rejecting a military promotion for his own deserving cousin William Washington, lest it be regarded as favoritism. Thomas Jefferson understood the vital role that Washington played in the formation of the new nation. Jefferson wrote: "The moderation and virtue of a single character probably prevented this Revolution from being closed, as most others have been, by a subversion of that liberty it was intended to establish."
George Washington was a man for his time and a man of all time. In his honor, on this his now forgotten birthday, read about this great leader.

George Washington, The Christian

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