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...