George Washington

It's time to put up my next post on great American Heroes of the Past.  I weighed this next decision for quite some time (as my intent in this blog is to alternate between family Heroes and well-known American heroes).  I recently watched a good biography on the man known as the 'Father of our Nation'.  Well, that is a pretty impressive accolade, and therefore bears a weightier consideration.  So, George Washington it is...

• Born in Virginia, 22 FEB 1732, near present-day Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County.
• His great-grandfather John Washington, immigrated to Virginia from Great Britain in 1657.
• At the age of eleven, his father, Augustine, passed away, leaving an understood burden on the family.  His older half-brother, Lawrence, then became a role model and surrogate father for young George.  Lawrence secured George's future paths in many regards to include a position as a surveyor for Culpeper County (equivalent in social standing to that of a physician) and a position in the Virginia militia.
• He was a member of the Freemasons in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
• George was a veteran and key figure in the French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years War of 1754-1762. Afterwards was appointed commanding officer of the Virginia Militia.
• After this war he began to expand his estate.  He also married Martha Dandridge Custis, which significantly expanded his prosperity in land ownership and social standing.

• As was typical of land owners of the day, he was also involved in local political affairs.  He was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses beginning in 1758.
• Without going into a blow-by-blow account of the circumstances leading up to the War for American Independence, the battles he lead, the defeats and victories and so forth, suffice it to say likely his greatest attribute was perseverance in the face of some of the most dire circumstances in human history.  After all, like all involved in the 'revolution', surely the commanding general, with past and present key political ties and a personal pledge of all he had for the cause of American liberty - he risked all he had and might ever possess, including his life - to the cause of American Independence and birth of a new Nation.
• As a clear symbol of his leadership and integrity, despite the wishes of other influential Americans, he resigned his position as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army at the successful close of the War of Independence and returned his life as a planter and private citizen in Virginia.
• George was among several prominent Americans who recognized that the Articles of Confederation, the original governmental document that mutually held the colonies together in a united group of States, was beset by crucial flaws.  He was selected as the president of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
• Of course, his countrymen would call on him again and he was emphatically chosen as the first President of the United States of America.  
• Perhaps the best phrase ever penned to describe Mr Washington was for his eulogy by Henry 'Light Horse Harry' Lee, "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life.  Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere - uniform, dignified and commanding -  his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting...Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand.  The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues...Such was the man whom our nation mourns."
• There is another significance to this Henry Lee.  Yes, he was one of General Washington's key cavalry officers during the War of American Independence.  Furthermore, "Light Horse Harry" Lee was also the father of another great American Hero (who will surely be highlighted in this forum at a future date) General Robert E. Lee.

To George Washington - 1st President of the United States, Soldier, Officer, Statesman, Planter, and no less - husband and father - here is to one of the great American Heroes of the Past!  May your name and your path of integrity eternally be followed and revered...

A True American Hero - my Dad

Honoring America's Heroes

I've been wanting to get back in the blogging groove for some time now.  I haven't done much in this regard since 2008.  So I think it is a good thing to start - today!  I had several blogs prior to my hiatus, and I think it would now be best to combine them around a general theme - the heroes in my life who I am very proud of.

Mostly - these heroes are my family and revolve around military service in some way.  But from time to time, I'll highlight other heroes to me.  I'll start off with the biggest hero to me - my Dad.  While I won't 'give away the farm' when it comes to personal information, I will say this about him:

• Born in rural southeast Missouri in a home built by his grandfather that was lacking indoor plumbing while his father was serving in the Army in WWII.  He is the oldest child of nine.
• First of his siblings to graduate college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Southeast Missouri State University.
• Enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967, leaving behind a promising teaching position to do so.  He is a veteran of the Cold War operations.
• Married to the same woman for over 43 years!
• Father of 7 children - 6 of them males.
• Grandfather of 13 children.
• Ardent family historian since the 60's.
• Served consecutively as an active volunteer in his church congregation since 1968.
• Acted as a Boy Scout volunteer in various positions over four decades, doing his part as a parent to guide all six of his sons to the rank of Eagle Scout (only 4% of boys who join the Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle, so 100% is very impressive!).
• Always supported his family in every way, even when facing downturns in the economy that caused temporary breaks in employment.  I remember him on a few occasions working 2 jobs at once to make ends meet for his family.  If the world shared his work ethic, there would be an immensely greater evidence of prosperity, joy and personal satisfaction had by all.

Well, I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.  Anyone who meets this description is the model American citizen in my opinion.  He is not perfect (who is?!) but he is a man one can proudly work to emulate.  To me, he embodies all that each of us as citizens of our respective States and, as such, this great Nation, should strive for.  Of course, I love and respect him on many levels.  Without further fanfare - here is the face of the greatest American to me - my father.

My Dad (second from the left) with his parents and six of his siblings in the 1950's.

 My Dad and Mom at a dance shortly after their marriage in October 1969.

My Dad with his new 1967 Chevrolet Impala convertible just before he went away to Navy service.  This was taken in western Illinois during the summer of 1967.

My Dad, Mom and older brother when he re-deployed from a Navy tour in May 1971

My Dad and his direct family taken in February 1996

My Dad congratulating his fifth son on his achievement of the 

rank of Eagle Scout in February 1998

My Dad and Mom in the July 2001

Well, these pictures tell a lot of the story, but there is so much more that could be said.  And one will note my Mom standing right along with him in many of these pictures. But, I will leave the post with my most sincere, heart-felt salute to this great American  - and greatest in my eyes  -  my Dad.  Thank you for being who you are, Dad!