Thursday, February 21, 2013

George Washington at Age 19


A 19-year-old George Washington

“A good moral character is the first essential in a man.” ~~George Washington

Very few Americans today appreciate the indispensable role played by George Washington in the formation of the United States of America. Without General George Washington, there probably would not be a United States of America today. George Washington was America’s First Great General. He was an indispensable leader of the American Revolution.

I snapped this photograph of a nineteen-year-old George Washington at the museum at Mount Vernon Plantation, Virginia.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Highly Effective Mediocre People

Sometimes we can feel good about ourselves ... but not now:

Audie Murphy, Medal of Honor Winner

2LT Audie L. Murphy, USA
Audie Leon Murphy, son of poor Texas sharecroppers, rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery given to any individual by the United States for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” He also received every decoration for valor that America had to offer, some of them more than once. He was awarded five decorations by France and Belgium.
Audi Murphy became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division and quickly rose from Army Private to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and was then given a “battle field” commission as 2nd Lieutenant. He was wounded three times, fighting in nine major campaigns across the European Theater, and survived the war.
This Memorial is on display at Collingwood Library, Alexandria, Virginia. You may sign the Audie Murphy Presidential Medal of Freedom Petition Drive at Petition Drive for Audie Murphy. Thank you!
The image, Collingwood Library, was originally uploaded to the Internet by Edna Barney. It was posted here by Neddy of flickr.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Growing Older with No Regrets


"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege that many never enjoy."

A neighbor was working in his garden when he was startled by a late model car crashing through his hedges and settling on his front lawn. He rushed to help an elderly woman from the vehicle as he exclaimed: "My goodness, You appear quite elderly to be driving." The woman proudly replied: "Well, yes, I am young man. I'll be 97 next month, and I am now old enough that I don't even need a driver's license anymore." The neighbor was astounded and questioned her about it. "Why yes, it is true. The last time my doctor examined me, he asked if I had a driver's license. I said yes and showed it to him. He took his surgical scissors and cut the license into a dozen pieces, tossing them into the rubbish bin, saying, 'You won't need this anymore.' So I thanked him and drove home!"