Thank you, George Washington (July 4, 2003)

7-4-2003 | brianbaldwin

[Brian_Baldwin]

Thank you, President George Washington

If you lived and observed visually through his eyes, you would have seen Washington’s visions of brilliant veils of light and color, historical events and struggles, much of it outdoors or in the wilds, shimmering exercises of debate, war, hunger, joy, victory, all taking place amongst nature about him, buffeted by howling gales, sometimes ablaze with dazzling light or dancing fire, guns, complete silence, pools of water, the buzzing insects, enveloped in billowing mists or bog or smoke of war or camp fires, sounds of men, ambiance, aura, light, air, wind, water and fire, drama and symbolic overtones. An elegantly furnished room in a somewhat stately manor, hotel, or residence, looking at a document, letter, map – this was also part of his life, but the moments he must have remembered the most distinctly, of predominance, and the visions you would see if looking out of his eyes, would be no doubt a world of nature, countryside, fields, rivers, mountains, weather, nature, the context and setting for his historical resume of which we are so grateful.

I want to thank our fore-Father, Founding Father, Mr. George Washington, for whom I am so grateful, our wonderful Father of our Nation. I thank him, for his bravery, thank those men who fought with him and under him, and his loyal associates and patriots and future Americans. My debt to him is unimaginable. Every school in our great nation should, must, display his portrait. Every school, college, university, should bare his name. A white man. A wonderful white male. A hero. An American. July 4th, 2003, we have had a great victory in Afghanistan and Iraq – the war against the Islamic Fascists continue. Today, I think of him and his significance to our nation. God Bless George Washington. God Bless America.

[Alas Babylon!]

Dittos to you Brian! I just read Jeff Shaara's Revolutionary War series, American Rebellion and The Glorious Cause. These are outstanding historical books by the author of Killer Angels and Gods and Generals. Without Washington, it is truly doubtful that this country would have achieved Independence. Like a true American, George Washington NEVER gave up in troubled times, and used his inferior forces vis-a-vis the might of the British wisely to never let them win back this country.

[TUX]

Sorry...my hat is off to the man who signed the Declaration, Constitution, and the Treaty with England.

The only patriot with that distinction. Printer, inventor, writer, statesman, diplomat, intellectual, and a woman's man.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

U.S.S. George Washington (CVN-73)

U.S.S. George Washington (SSBN-598)

[elbucko]

Without Washington, it is truly doubtful that this country would have achieved Independence.

Absolutely! Providence truly smiled upon the effort of independence when she provided the services of George Washington. Both as a general and a president.

[laconic]

When Washington voluntarily stepped down first as Commander in Chief then yielded power after two terms as president (thereby setting precedent), he astonished the world. His former adversary George III said he couldn't believe such a man had been created (he was undoubtedly the first since Cincinnatus). This is a man who was the only senior officer to survive the Braddock Campaign (also the tallest, with four bullet holes in his coat from just the battle at Ft. Pitt) and with forty bullet holes in his uniforms during his thirty years of military service -- not one ever struck Washington. Ever wonder why? What a contrast to the bill clintons, jimmy carters and jesse jacksons of this world.

[elbucko]

I completely agree. Years ago I chanced to read a book by the title of "American Cincinnatus", about Washington. He was, indeed, a remarkable man and TRULY the "Father of his Country". We are all, rightly, his offspring by virtue of our US citizenship.

The chance that all these remarkable men would be assembled at the right place, the right time, and do the right thing, leads me to suspect that Providence had a heavy hand in the birth of the United States.

The Carters, LBJ's, and Clinton's in the presidency only serve to illustrate the greatness of the Washington's and Lincoln's in comparison and the durability of the Constitution to endure the formers incompetence.

[Squantos]

In my e-mail friday morning.............

This is a story about 56 very brave Americans who risked everything on a dream. These were ordinary men with an extraordinary vision. They were lawyers, merchants, doctors, plantation and landowners, ministers, a scientist, a teacher, a musician and a printer. They ranged in age from 26 to 70 years old.

These courageous men were as different in personality and family history as you and I, but they were bound by a commonality, a common purpose, which would forever change the face of the world.

All 56 were members of the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia June 7, 1776. This collection of men, driven by years of oppressive British rule, made a bold commitment for independence. Before a three-week recess, the Congress established a "Committee of Five" to draft a statement to present to the world: the colonies' case for independence.

The committee was composed of two New England gentlemen, John Adams of Massachusetts and Roger Sherman of Connecticut; two men from the middle colonies, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert Livingston of New York; and one southerner, Thomas Jefferson.

They unanimously selected Jefferson to create the first draft. Even Adams, long known for his oratory skills, conceded that Jefferson was the most qualified to write the draft. With only a few minor editorial changes from Franklin and Adams, and a few added flourishes from Congress, the draft declaration, this Declaration of Independence, was ready.

On July 1, 1776, 12 of the 13 colonies voted to adopt a resolution for independence. Using the document crafted by Jefferson, late in the afternoon on July 4, the Declaration was officially adopted.

Interestingly, not a single signature was added on that day. While most of the 56 names were in place by early August, one signer, Thomas McKean, did not actually sign the document until 1781.

One of the 56 members, Dr. Benjamin Rush said, "Stepping forward to sign the Declaration was like signing your own death warrant." They had all committed treason against the crown of England, a crime punishable by death. In fact, of those 56 signers, nine were killed, five were captured and brutally tortured by the British, and 18 lost their homes and all they owned in the seven-year war of independence that would soon follow.

July 4th was the day singled out to mark the event. John Adams, who went on to become our nation's second president, later wrote his wife, "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival ... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other."

Fifty-six very brave men. They stood tall and unwavering as they pledged, "For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Let us not forget the roots of our freedom. Let us not forget these 56 brave Americans. Let us forever carry their torch of freedom.

Stay Safe !