Memorial Day Tribute

Thank you to those killed in action, veterans and current military members. Thank you for all you've done to keep our country free from the patriots at Lexington and Concord to Afganistan and Iraq. May God bless you and our country.

Who could it be?

Many years ago, on February 22nd, 1732, in a farm called “Pope’s Creek Farm,” in a one-story home on the Potomac River a baby was born to August and Mary (Wilbur, 1973, p. 40-41). He grew up helping on the farm, and received a strong basic education from his father (Wilbur, 1973, 60). Surviving notebooks show his careful handwriting and intricate math work (Wilbur, 1973,p. 104). Often he studied for one or two hours before breakfast then helped out with the farm, and horse and had wrestling matches with his father (Wilbur, 1973, 78). Then when this young boy was eleven, his father died (Wilbur, 1973, 92).

At fourteen years of age, he focused some of his studies on surveying. By sixteen, a wealthy landowner hired him to survey his lands (Williamson, 1995, pp. 16-17). This gentleman so admired the quality of his work he helped him become the public surveyor (Williamson, 1995, p. 20).

At twenty-one this youth’s courage and nobility were so well known, the governor sent him on a special mission (Williamson, 1995, p. 29). Although an army Captain had already tried to fulfill this mission and returned, this youth succeeded in delivering the governor’s message to the French who were encroaching on colonial land (Williamson, 1995, p. 29). This meant traveling through stormy weather, canoeing through freezing water, sleeping and traveling in the elements, at times fearing an attack (Williamson, 1995, p. 32-33). Eventually his people and the French went to war. Within the army he soon rose in rank and eventually was appointed commander-in-chief of his state’s forces (Williamson, 1995, p. 63). Next his county voted him to represent them in their governing body the House of Burgesses (Williamson, 1995, p. 73).

When the American colonies went to war with England, the Continental Congress appointed him Commander-in-chief of their army. “I do not feel equal to the command,” he humbly replied and asked to serve without pay (Williamson, 1995, p. 97). Even after the war when the Congress offered to pay him, he refused (Williamson, 1995, p. 179).

When the new nation designed its form of government, they elected him as the first President. He served faithfully for eight years and when the third election came up, he declined to run for president again. Two years later he died at his home Mt. Vernon on December 14th 1799 (Williamson, 1995, 206). His country proclaimed him as a man, “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen” (Williamson, 1995, p. 308). What could be the name for this young man?

References:
Williamson, M.L. (1995) Life and Anecdotes of George Washington: For Young Readers. Harrisonburg,
Virginia: Sprinkle Publications.
Wilbur, William H. (1973) The Making of George Washington. DeLand, Florida: Patriotic Education Inc.