The Name, American, Which Belongs To You...

George Washington and Nelson

Tomorrow morning our neighborhood will have the second annual Flag Raising Ceremony of which I am conducting. This was the idea of Brandon and Dana Peterson and has been embraced as one of the greater ideas and traditions our little neighborhood family has. I recently was watching "Civil War Journal" on the History Channel as I often do, and learned about the division of the West Point Military Academy leading up to the War Between the States. Apparently, tensions were high, but life at the Academy went on until it was decided that the solidarity of the students must be tested. Several events transpired that day including the reading of George Washington's retirement speech. Apparently this speech solidified the feelings of both the Southerners and the Northerners alike and the Academy was shortly recessed for a time. It inspired me to read the retirement speech of America's first Commander-in-Chief and I would suggest that each of you do so as well. It is an amazing speech...almost prophetic as he seems to address several issues America is facing today, such as a party system that is beginning to erode the republic, the need for religion and morality, avoiding national debt and more. This seriously is a must read and what better time to do so than while celebrating this great nation and the freedoms we enjoy because of great men like George Washington.