George Washington at Our 250th Anniversary

Years ago, I used to walk – when time allowed – the gardens of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, on the banks of the Potomac River in Virginia. As we approach our 250th anniversary as a Nation, those warm days come back.

What we know of Washington is extraordinary – as he himself is. He is rightly identified as the Father of our Country, not just because he kept the Continental Army together, outmanned, outgunned, broke, under-provisioned, perpetually sick, and often starving for seven years to win our freedom, but because he did it with dignity, inner strength, unbreakable faith, and flexibility of mind.

While he kept slaves in a colonial south which had not yet freed the blacks -that would take a horrific Civil War – he freed all his slaves on his death, something no other founder did. He also personified respect, uncomplaining personal fortitude, and the will to make America great.

Lesser-known are other facts that, while just curious and entertaining, are not historically significant, and are worth noting as we rapidly approach the 250^th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence.

For starters, unlike most of the Founding Fathers – but like Abraham Lincoln, who would be our 16^th President and lead the nation through another life-and-death war for the Republic – Washington was self-educated.

At age 11, his father died. At 15, with no money to speak of, his schooling stopped. Still, he read all his life voraciously, and on all topics, aiming to improve his lot and his mind, which he obviously did. He stayed on top of events and movements across the colonies and in Europe.

From some survivalist or faith-centered inner ticker, he was always fearless in battle, even if not successful. His ability to survive against long odds seeks to reinforce itself, from the Battle of Monangahela in 1755 – during the French and Indian Wars – through the unlikely victories at Princeton, Trenton, and beyond. He rode a white horse and always pressed forward.

He was also able to convey this to his general staff and all the way down through the troops, who understood his conviction, self-discipline, resolve, and faith in the outcome that all wanted. He personified the fearless leader, did as he ordered, with the cascading effect of fortifying others.

In addition, honest leaders – who hold themselves to a high standard of integrity – in turn motivate their next-level leaders, and on down the chain, to uphold those values. Like poor leadership, honest and unblinking integrity in power – never abusing power – is a force multiplier.

Often also forgotten is Washington’s private commitment to westward expansion. He was both curious and actively involved in exploring – having spent time as a young man – the Ohio River Valley, and owned tens of thousands of acres in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and what became Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. In effect, he thought big early and kept at it.

Finally, while firm and quiet in battle, professional in every military and constitutional endeavor, he was also sociable and social, interacted easily with men and women of all kinds in many settings, did not miss church often, but also attended balls, theater,  and even reportedly liked to dance.

As we come up on the series of events that define our 250^th anniversary, which will now stretch for several years, it is worth noting that Washington loved agriculture, sought always to better himself as a farmer, and yet was in both worlds at once, being the quiet presider over the Constitutional Convention, and first to sign the Constitution in 1787.

The respect for his selfless and effective leadership, humility, and reluctance to accept power, caused him to be elected to the presidency twice unanimously – a feat never repeated by another candidate for president. While urged to a third term, he declined, giving power back.

Other facts about Washington are entertaining, if not significant. While many report he had wooden teeth, he did not. His teeth were bad – soft – and painful, the first removed at age 24. He ended up with bone, metal, and some human teeth as substitutes later in life.

On the human side, while a family man and farmer, he was also a dog-lover. The do-lover in me smiles, knowing that he loved a wide range of animals, including dogs of all types. At Mount Vernon, he kept Dalmatians, Newfoundlands, and foxhounds.

While my walks at Mount Vernon never brought me face-to-face with any dogs or any of those breeds, Washington is worthy of study on many levels, and his home is worth a visit this anniversary year.

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!