George Washington (Feb. 22, 1732-Dec. 14, 1799) was, and will always be admired for his greatness. The first President of the United States, he set precedents for every president after him. A former war general, he had a larger than life presence and the charisma and personality to match. A master of public speaking, he commanded respect, turning heads everywhere he went. He is survived by his wife, Martha Dandridge Custis and his nephew and heir, Bushrod Washington.
He was at the helm of the American Revolution, serving as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. He is famous for the crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day, after which he and his troops led surprise attacks to recapture New Jersey. This kind of brilliant planning was a hallmark of George Washington’s. He was a thinker, but probably most important of all, he was a doer. He would get things done.
Next, he was an important icon symbolizing change, change from the British monarchy to a people’s republic, change from a part of England to our own nation. He was a figurehead, blazing the path to independence. Unanimously voted on to be the first President of the United States, he had a big responsibility. But he was the right man to do it. He was a man of firsts-first to take the president’s oath, first to assemble a Cabinet, and of course, first and onlyto get one hundred percent of the Electoral College votes.
A man of many arts, George Washington was an excellent dancer and was very well educated in the subject of literature. He read and went to the theaters often, quoting Shakespeare in his letters. He was also an amazingly fit man, with unparallelled horseback riding skills, which helped him in his favorite hobby, hunting game. He disliked being drunk, and therefore only drank in moderation.
We lost a great man yesterday. A leader, a larger than life symbol of the American revolution and the birth of our nation. An intelligent man, one who played a prominent role in the history of our young United States of America. We have lost a gentle man, a kind man who respected both his superior and inferior. A man who set precedents for generations of presidents to follow. We have lost a hero.
