True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.
eorge Washington. Yeah, this guy kind of fits in yesterday's club, but I admire him for a completely different reason than his pal, Benjamin Franklin.
George Washington was raised in a prominent family with acclaim, money and expected decorum. He was constantly working to be the man of his upbringing and often came across as the strong silent type. We've all see my favorite portrayal of him, a general of a raggedy band of American rebels, battling a foe with unconquerable resources while his soldiers suffered every privation imaginable. My heart goes out to this man as he watched his troops and prayed for deliverance.
I love him for that, but that's not the part I admire most. George Washington had the admiration of an entire country when the war ended. He was the first elected president of the United States of America, and it was a whole-hearted and unanimous election. Everyone loved him. After serving two terms as president he could have easily decided to stay in office, and the people would have happily allowed it. He could have become our own King George, but Washington believed in the ideals established by our founders. He stepped down that his country might be the entity it was intended. That's why I love him.
George Washington was raised in a prominent family with acclaim, money and expected decorum. He was constantly working to be the man of his upbringing and often came across as the strong silent type. We've all see my favorite portrayal of him, a general of a raggedy band of American rebels, battling a foe with unconquerable resources while his soldiers suffered every privation imaginable. My heart goes out to this man as he watched his troops and prayed for deliverance.
Did you miss my announcement yesterday?
Check it out HERE.
Have you ever had to swallow your pride in order to do what's best? Can you imagine what would have happened if America had become another dictatorship? Speculation? What are your feelings about Washington?
Now that was a leader. And, you know, he served as inspiration for the father of my main character. Love the history of the American Revolution. :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously? That's awesome. I'm right there with you on the love thing, obviously.
DeleteGreat post and reminder of historical moments in history and the history of this great country.
ReplyDeleteI think we forget too easily.
DeleteThat was an amazing time in our history. So many talented, smart people coming together to create a nation at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI know! Seriously, that group of people has me in awe.
DeleteWe hear about George Washington all our lives, but how often do we really stop to think about how amazing he was. Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI guess that's the point of this theme, eh? Make us stop and think.
DeleteGreat post! I read his story once when I was at a library. Definitely an awesome man. Nice to know he is one of the people you admire.
ReplyDeleteOnly the best. ;)
DeleteWe could really use more George Washingtons in our country. :)
ReplyDeleteFor true. People of solid moral character seem to be harder and harder to find.
DeleteThere are so many great heroes. He was a good man.
ReplyDeleteIndeed he was.
DeleteHi human, Crystal,
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you loved him. Although, we are thinking of coming back over to sort out you colonials. Arf! Arf! With that, I'm going to look for a cherry tree.
Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!
LOL! We've got bigger dogs hanging out on this side of the ocean, although methinks the scuffle would be entertaining. ;)
DeleteToo bad politicians can't hold a candle to him now a days
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteI see why he was popular. Not many politician know when to call it quits.
ReplyDeleteGoing to check out that announcement.
Yeah, but he kind of had to be prodded into it in the first place. If we elected people that way, all our problems would be solved.
Deletei recently went ahead and started the ancestry thing online---i discovered one of my husbands great-grandfathers was named george washington proctor!
ReplyDeleteAh! How exciting. It's pretty amazing the little things you learn, eh?
DeleteI just finished reading "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson. It's a great story about the war, a slave girl, and, of course, George Washington. I highly recommend it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for George Washington! And I agree with, David we could use more men (and women *wink* ) like him today.
Chains, huh? I'll have to check that one out.
DeleteI couldn't imagine a better first president for our country!
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of character to do the right thing and step down like that.
ReplyDeleteI know! Wish we had more like him.
DeleteI appreciate humility and doing what's right for society over what's right or desired simply for oneself. I would love to see more examples of that in current society.
ReplyDeleteThe Immarcescible Word
Me too!
DeleteI just remember the part about George and his fellow soldiers and their socks were threadbare and they didn't have enough blankets or food. Such admiration for him and his gang! I surely would have quit. I'm such a wimp when it comes to cold or not eating.
ReplyDeleteYeah? I think they were motivated though--by the families they'd left behind whose freedom depended on their sacrifice. Still, there comes a point where physical suffering overshadowed nobler intentions.
DeleteIt just blows my mind that he had wooden teeth. That just doesn't sound safe. I've thought about what things would be like if we had become a dictatorship. It's actually pretty good creative fodder, especially since even in the best scenario settings I can see something going horribly wrong. That's the fun part of the story though. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about his wooden teeth, but I'm not surprised. They did the best they could with dental care back then. (Thank goodness for modern advances.)
DeleteAnother excellent post, Crystal! I'm really enjoying this theme!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm enjoying yours!
DeleteFrom all I've read about the man, he was quite an imposing figure. Alongside Adams who was short and stout (brilliant, too) he must have seemed a tower giant.
ReplyDeleteI love the contrasts.
DeleteYAY for Washington! I <3 him! One of my favorite presidents.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the saying: Great Men do not seek greatness. They have it thrust upon them.
As for America and dictators...don't even get me started because I feel that we currently have one, or at least are on our way to becoming what we fought so hard to rid ourselves of so long ago!
Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z
Caring for My Veteran
So true. I wish we could thrust greatness on a few men these days rather than have them campaigning for the right to lead us.
DeleteHe's a role model even in today's world. I picked up my copy of Moonless by the way, and look forward to diving into it once things calm down a bit :D
ReplyDeleteYay! You'll love it. Promise. =)
DeleteYou know those great minds and how they think alike and all...
ReplyDeleteYeah... I've got a few in jars... Erm, I mean... ;)
DeleteDefinitely one of the greats of our world. Thanks for posting this, Crystal.
ReplyDeleteDeb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Comparing him to today's politicians makes him even more wonderful. He really put America first and set aside his own ambitions.
ReplyDeleteToo true. He was awesome.
DeleteCongrats on your announcement!
ReplyDeleteWonderful news!
You are on a roll girl!
Stepping down when you can remain in a position of power... is the sign of a great leader... the world needs more of them...
Agreed.
DeleteAs far as I remember, he was also a very humble guy, wasn't he? He had to be convinced to be president; he didn't even want the power. A truly admirable person.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's true. I totally should have included that part.
DeleteWe don't have real leaders like that. Now we have politicians who are career and never want to leave.
ReplyDeleteI know. Time to rehaul the system.
DeleteA man who has tasted power and the adoration of the people, knows he can get more and yet he walks away? Now that's something a lot of "leaders" in my corner of the world (Africa) could learn from. Leaders who are unable/refuse to move on is one of our biggest problems:(
ReplyDeleteYeah, they just don't make 'em like that anymore...or we just can't find them anymore. =)
DeleteAnother great man in the history of our country! Love the picture "Prayer at Valley Forge"! I've always wanted to buy a large painting of it for my home.
ReplyDeleteSo excited to learn of the new release date for Soulless...I'll have to go post it on my Facebook page. :)
I want the picture too. I will own in one day.
DeleteYay! Thank, Kristin.
The first president of such a great nation does deserve a post.
ReplyDeleteHe totally does.
DeleteIf only today's politicians had a fraction of that kind of devotion and belief. What a different nation we'd be!
ReplyDeleteSo many people have been saying that. Hm. ;)
DeleteHi Crystal,
ReplyDeleteHe was a wonderful personality not only to the Americans but All
Well narrated tribute. Thanks for the great reminder!
Keep writing
Best regards
Phil
Thanks, Phil. Great to see you here!
DeleteIt's a good thing it was Washington, then. Things would have turned out a lot differently if we had ended up with a dictator back then...
ReplyDeleteSo true. Of course, with this country strong on the war trail, they would have just ousted the new dictator.
DeleteWhen you started with Abraham Lincoln I wondered if you would get to George along the way. Great post and I'm getting Moonless right now so I can be ready for Souless in the fall! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteLeanne Ross ( readfaced.wordpress.com & @LeanneRossRF )
Yay! You'll love it. =D
DeleteYeah, you had to know George was coming after Abe.
Great post. Interesting and insightful. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it.
DeleteI really like the painting of him. He's a great choice and an important and inspiring historical figure. :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed. He's pretty epic.
DeleteAmerica can still fall under a dictatorship, regardless of the party in charge. I'm a huge G.W. fan. Now this guy had courage.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Wait, hasn't it?
DeleteFantastic post. It's wonderful that he didn't want to be king, because then he would've followed the people the country had been separating from. Current politics has much to be desired, but he started something amazing.
ReplyDeleteToo true.
DeleteMakes me want to stand up and say "BRAVO"! think I just did. Well written and looking forward to your next post.
ReplyDeleteKaty Did
Life's Ride In Between
Thanks much, KT.
DeleteFascinating stuff. Looking forward to who you highlight tomorrow for the letter H.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he's pretty epic too in my mind--my "H" entry, that is.
DeleteAh, George. The maker of Fort Necessity. That was a bit embarrassing. Also the man who said, "Few men have virtue enough to withstand the highest bidder." And a man who did want to be thrust into the limelight, but was propelled by duty and honor to continue in the spotlight to become president when all he wanted after the war was to return home and life a quiet life. Much to admire there.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, much to admire. It's kind of a travesdy he did have to face the limelight when it was so clearly not what he wanted.
DeleteI'm in complete agreement with you. His unanimous election could have easily led to another monarchy or an empire, but he was so forward thinking. He knew that every thing he did would set the precedent for what came later.
ReplyDeleteWhen we visited Mount Vernon, I saw a whole other side of Washington from what we learned about in history books. He was a country farmer and he loved it, he kept a working farm, with sheep and horses and a garden, and the farm has been kept in working condition to this day.
I just found it interesting, the juxtaposition between the President and the farmer. Makes you realize that the First President didn't run for office, he was a farmer and husband turned soldier and officer fighting for a cause. Then when the fight was over but the cause needed him for one last thing...to be the President...he could hardly refuse. Was the First President the type of man to run for office? All of the following Presidents, we could say yes (well, iffy on Gerald Ford), but George Washington? After the war when he really wanted to be at home on the farm with his seedlings? Hmm...the humble man who declined to be elected for a third term? I'm not so sure... :)
I want to get to Mount Vernon one day. Of course, I want to see the whole world, so we'll see how that one goes. ;)
DeleteIt's true--the president vs farmer. I've decided we need to elect men by people merely choosing them, not by men petitioning for a vote.
Wow, you really know how to sell a guy to the masses. You can add me to George's fanclub. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. I'm an author. That's my job, right? ;)
DeleteIn third grade, I wrote a short story (possibly novelette-length) called Anna Washington, imagining myself as one of George Washington's kids shortly before he became president. I remember there were also siblings named Jacob and Eliza. My plans were to go through each president (then 41) and write a "book" with my historical self as a president's daughter.
ReplyDeleteI took an online quiz my senior year of university to see who my most ideal president was, and President Washington was my #1 result.
Hahaha! You would, Carrie-Anne. I had to expect something like that out of you. =)
DeleteGeorge Washington's troops were loyal to him, not to Congress. He could have said the word, and they would have installed him as king.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. That kind of fidelity is rare.
DeleteSo many things to love about George Washington. The best leaders are the ones who don't seek it but fill the role when it's needed.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Well said.
DeleteGeorge Washington was such a towering historical figure-- great choice for G. And all the best for the book!
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2014, My Latest post
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Oh, George. What a great guy to call our first prez!
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteYou can never go wrong with George Washington! ;)
ReplyDeleteAt least, not if you're talking about morals and good stuff, right?
DeleteThe fact that he wilfully stepped down is very admirable. Power is very tempting.
ReplyDeleteIt is, indeed.
DeleteA man willing to give up power; that is a great man indeed. I didn't know that about him, but then again, as I mentioned yesterday, I am ignorant about much of US history.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings - AtoZ (Vampires)
FB3X - AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)
He was definitely a very choice individual. So glad I can share some of that with you.
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