Guest Column

Washington embodied our country's values

By WILLIAM RUPERT

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 15, 1999

Tuesday, bells tolled all over the country in honor of President George Washington, father of our country, in memory of the 200th anniversary of his death. The bells struck 15 times to signify the 15 states that made up the United States of America at the time of his death. Governors and mayors of major cities issued proclamations commemorating the occasion. Most people probably wondered what all the fuss is about.

Washington is perhaps the most familiar of all our historic figures, but with each year that passes, Americans know less and less about the man who was the leader among leaders during the birth of our nation. Many of our young people today know only that his is the face on the $1 bills, or that he chopped down a cherry tree, or that he couldn't tell a lie. Some might remember the story about his throwing a silver dollar across a river but couldn't tell you much more than that. Our knowledge and respect for George Washington has declined to an incredibly low level.

In a very short time, Washington's coverage in history books has been reduced so dramatically that some teachers complain he has been relegated to footnote status. This 1999 bicentennial observance offers an opportunity to reintroduce the American people to the real George Washington, a man of character, whose wise and providential leadership of the Continental Army, as well as the Continental Congress, allows us to enjoy the benefits of free choice and freedom from tyranny today.

Many of Washington's best qualities are timeless and require little explanation. He was honest, courageous and deeply patriotic, qualities that have long been associated with the "Father of Our Country." But Washington also was creative, entrepreneurial and generous with his heart, his mind and his money. He consistently established the highest standards for his own actions and he seldom disappointed his peers. In short, Washington demonstrated that armies can best be led and governments can best be managed by individuals with character. Although most other things have changed dramatically over the past two centuries, the qualities of a just and effective leader remain the same.

I am reminded of an essay written by an Eagle Scout entrant in a Sons of the American Revolution essay contest. Andrew James Gray, Eagle Scout winner, told of an instance when "General Washington asked some of the men at Valley Forge "Why we were fighting.' One soldier said he was fighting for independence, one said to stop taxation, and someone else said because of the Boston massacre. At that, Washington took the group of soldiers to a flagpole in the middle of the camp. He pointed to the new flag. Washington explained that the white of the flag stands for pure and noble ideals like freedom and inalienable rights; the red stripes stand for the blood shed by the soldiers in defense of the new nation; the stars bound in blue show how we are all bound in brotherhood. Washington told his troops the flag stands for our wives, our children, our town, our state and our nation. And that is why we fight!"

By virtue of his leadership as commanding general of the Continental Army and first president of the United States, George Washington was the father of our country. The citizens of this nation are eternally indebted to Washington for his fearless and selfless efforts toward our patrimony and well-being. This day should be a day of special remembrance.

-- William Rupert is secretary of the Withlacoochee Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. Guest columnists write their own views on subjects they choose, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

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