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Thoughts About George Washington on His BirthdayBy: Jack London
In my book, George Washington is one of the most remarkable people in all of history. On February 22, we celebrated his 273rd birthday.
What do we remember about our first President, General George Washington?
He led the armed forces of a tiny newborn nation to a successful victory over one of the world's mightiest armies in the American Revolution of 1775-1783.
He was the leader in the creation of the world's longest standing democratic government and, arguably, the first true democracy. This legacy of liberty and freedom is contagious and has already changed the world all around, from rule by king and despot, to rule of people and laws.
He was a primary force in the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
And most important of all, after all these successes and triumphs, he gave our nation the greatest gift of all ... that being the orderly, lawful transition of governing power from President to President. When the usual result of military and political conquest in that day was taking the role of king, emperor, or lord, George Washington gracefully and nobly stepped aside, supporting governance by presidential election and the rotation of leadership by people's choice.
For this latter, remarkable action alone, our nation is forever indebted to George Washington of Virginia, patriot and 'father of our country.' J. P. London, Chairman
and CEO, CACI
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