President's Day

We approach President's Day this year on a four day weekend in Air Combat Command. Between the fast pace of our daily mission here at Barksdale, separation from friends, family, and comrades who are deployed, and the "clutter" of our own personal lives, it's easy to forget that President's Day is a National Holiday that honors some really great Americans.

President's Day was originally "George Washington's Birthday"...but after the Civil War, Americans wanted to honor President Lincoln as well (who coincidentally had a February birthday). After many years, and many OPM and Congressional changes, in 1971 the third Monday in February became known as "President's Day".

George Washington was a soldier and a farmer in Virginia. A loyal British subject, Lieutenant Colonel George Washington led American militia in support of British troops during the French and Indian War of 1754. He narrowly avoided being wounded during this fighting, and by all accounts led his men with distinction and courage.

When the Colonies rebelled against the Crown in 1775, General George Washington was elected as commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. General Washington would lead an ill-trained Continental Army in a fight against the most professional soldiers in the world. His personal courage and expert generalship ensured that six years later, Americans could hoist their own flag instead of the British Union Jack.

There were some who wanted to proclaim Washington "king", but he refused the crown, and instead accepted one final call to service as first President of the United States. George Washington served two terms in office, and declined a third, beginning a tradition by American presidents that was unbroken until President Franklin Roosevelt served three and a half terms in office during the '30s and early '40s. Later, the 22d Amendment to the Constitution made the two term tradition the law of the land.

After completing his public service, President Washington retired to his farm, a place where he really wanted to be anyway, and completed his years working the land.

George Washington was a man of great character and a keen "heart for service". He saw his duty and always placed it above his personal comfort and desires. So this President's Day, take the opportunity to reflect a little on the Father of Our Country, and draw a little strength from the knowledge that the same United States that produced Washington, continues to produce sons and daughters of Liberty today.

It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it. - George Washington