Happy Father's Day President Washington

Considering that George Washington had no children, it seems a bit inappropriate to write about him on Father’s Day. However, there is a reason he is called the “Father of Our Country.” He is, in a very real sense, the father of all Americans.

Washington’s remarkable career is too lengthy to detail here, but I will focus on three major accomplishments. 

First, he successfully led the American military effort for independence. The American efforts were much more arduous - and miraculous - than we often give them credit. That the ragtag (literally) Continental Army and militia forces were able to beat the greatest military and naval force in the word is testament enough. But none of it would have possible without Washington.

Second, he reluctantly left retirement to preside over the Constitutional Convention. His was the steadying influence that gave the Convention the credibility it needed to successfully proceed, and his support ushered in the adoption of the Constitution - still the envy of the world.

Finally, he voluntary retired after two successful terms as President. This unprecedented act ensured that America would not devolve into a kingship or lifetime rule by the President.

In these ways, and in so many more, he bequeathed to us - an entire nation - our freedoms and liberties.  Happy Father’s Day President Washington.

For more about Washington visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

A Committee Appointed, A Declaration To Be

On this date in 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a five member to draft a Declaration of Independence.  The Committee Members included Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.  Adams explained to Jefferson why Jefferson was required to draft the Declaration of Independence: “Reason first – You are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business. Reason second – I am obnoxious, suspected and unpopular. You are very much otherwise. Reason third – You can write ten times better than I can.” It was a fateful decision.

Adams was truly the leading Patriot to the independence, and was well known for his ego.  However, he knew his place - he had to submerge his personal feelings in favor of the greater cause of the Revolution.  He turned to Jefferson to carry the argument forward.Jefferson, who had become a famous author with a prior work, A Summary View  of the Rights of British America (1774), expressed the American sentiment in terms that would become perhaps the most famous words in world history.


For more about Jefferson and Adams, check out Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

"These united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."

On this day, in 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, rose and moved to the Congress that "These united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." The motion seconded by John Adams, and deferred for consideration.

Richard Henry Lee

A vote would eventually be taken on July 2, and the Second Continental Congress unanimously approved the resolution (New York abstaining).  Two days later, the Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.  A nation was born, tyranny was put aside, and the world would never be the same. 

For the first time in human history, a nation was founded on ideals: 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Lets keep it alive by renewing the American Spirit!  For a couple of ways to do that, check out PatriotWeek.org and AmericaSurvivalGuide.com.

D-DAY: Some things are worth dying for

Today marks the anniversary of DDay, which was the beginning of the end for the Nazi regime.  Thousands of brave Allied Forces stormed the beaches of France to liberate Europe from German oppression.

Many Americans lost the lives on that day to preserve liberty for Europe, America, and the world.  On D-Day, the Allies suffered approximately 10,000 casualties. The Battle of Normandy involved over 400,000 total casualties.  

On the 40th Anniversary of D-Day, Ronald Reagan addressed Americans who stormed the beaches and reflected:

It was the deep knowledge ­­ and pray God we have not lost it that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. You were here to liberate, not to conquer, and so you and those others did not doubt your cause. And you were right not to doubt.

You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.

Reagan was right.

Happy Birthday Martha

Martha Washington was born on June 2, 1731 near Williamsburg, Virginia.  America's first First Lady distinguished herself long before by tending to the troops during the revolutionary war.  She supported her husband's efforts to defend the freedom of Americans even in the face of dire consequences to herself.  She wrote, "I think I am more like a state prisoner than anything else."  But she understood the importance of George's work when she reflected, "I cannot blame him for having acting according to his ideas of duty in obeying the voice of his country." Indeed.