First in the Hearts of His Countrymen?

It has been a slow sports week so I decided to share my other love with you - American History. We honor our presidents in February so here is a blog on our first commander-in-chief. A little Washington 101, if you will.

As a former secondary school History teacher, I was always amazed at how little my incoming students knew about our first president, the incomparable, George Washington. What they knew of him was that he was indeed our first commander-in-chief and that his face is on the piece of paper currency they are undoubtedly the most familiar with, the one dollar bill. There is so much more to this man, that many Americans don't know and I fear will never know. There seems to be a push from liberal crowds even in academic circles to nudge early American History out of the books or at the very least to minimize the role of early Americans. The reasons for this are many and that in and of itself is a topic for another blog some rainy day. But today, the day following Washington's birthday - I am asking you, my fellow Americans (did that sound presidential?) to make George Washington relevant again.

To many, he is the first American. Not just because he held the Continental Army together during the Revolutionary War and presided over our fledgling government but because he was an embodiment of the American spirit that would come to define a nation. He was larger than life - literally. In a time when adult males were traditionally short, Washington stood six feet, three inches tall. He was easily recognizable -the perfect face of a new nation. In addition, he was a master horseman, the closest thing to a superstar athlete in late eighteenth-century America. And of course, he was a warrior, an action hero.

During his younger days, when he was a member of the Virginia militia and still a loyal British subject, Washington fought the French during the Seven Years War. After a particular battle that featured a fierce fire fight, Washington emerged unscathed from fighting though many of his fellow soldiers lost their lives. Once back within the realm of safety, it was pointed out that Washington's garments had sustained a series of bullet holes - seven to be exact, but he, himself was unharmed. That was just one such tale of survival - there were others, like the time he and a guide survived on an iceberg while lost in the wilderness. These are the kind of stories that give you goose bumps to read about. It was as if he was being protected or saved for a greater purpose.

He was a man of character and one who realized great responsibility. As a president, every decision he made, he considered what kind of precedent he may have been setting for future presidents. He warned about becoming entangled in foreign affairs and worried about the divisive nature of emerging political parties. Issues that are still very relevant today. Washington made the comment that his conduct would have consequences for "generations upon generations of yet unborn Americans" and he was fine with that because he felt it held him accountable. Accountability is a quality that too many "leaders" today seem to be lacking in.

As time progressed, other great leaders were born and made their ways to the fore-fronts of the American subconscious: Lincoln, Teddy, Truman, Ike, and the Gipper. They all have their "Great Predecessor"to thank for paving their political ways. Of course it was once said that Washington was "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." I wonder if that is still true today. Sadly, I doubt it is. To many, George Washington is simply, "that guy on the quarter." Do something American today and google George Washington or any of our other great and courageous leaders and help me make Washington relevant again. Happy birthday, Mr. President.