Jo Fredell Higgins

I spent my early years at Ferry Farm on the Rappahannock River in Virginia. My name is George Washington. I especially liked the subjects of geometry, trigonometry and mapmaking.

Before I was sixteen, I copied 110 maxims in my notebook dealing with etiquette. One of which was "Every action done in company ought to be done with respect to those who are present."

When I was 16 in 1743, I was appointed surveyor for Culpeper County. In the next few years, I completed 200 surveying expeditions measuring 60,000 acres along Virginia's western frontier.

In 1754 I was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in the newly formed Virginia Regiment.

My country had called.

My life is inextricably linked to the Revolution, but I feel my true heroism lies in my character and my vision. I wrote that "Every nation has a right to establish a government which it conceives it shall live most happy. I think I see a path, as clear and direct, as a ray of light."

I became a Virginia landowner at Mount Vernon overseeing thousands of acres. Assisted by land grants, my land became 80,000 acres overlooking the Potomac. I loved to hunt and I enjoyed music. I thought myself to be pragmatic and thorough.

When Revolution broke out in April 1775, I was forty-three and agreed to serve as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. I was a citizen defending my country.

My carriage to New York to be sworn in as president saw a ribbon of jubilation with cannons booming, fireworks, bonfires, speeches and banquets in every town and hamlet. Flowers spread before me with children singing. "The American form of government, I wrote, is a new phenomenon in the political and moral world and an astonishing victory by enlightened reason."

The date was April 30, 1789 and my inauguration at Federal Hall was held in the temporary capital city of New York. My mother was able to attend. I would be considered a classical hero, cut in the mold of the ancient Romans. I was regarded as having restraint, civility and great love for my country.

My presidential powers as commander-in-chief was to take place under the umbrella of Congress which retained the power to declare war as well as to raise and regulate the armed forces. I realized that I needed to set a model of restraint for America's future.

How could I know that this beautiful land would celebrate 250 years of democracy, freedom and prosperity in 2026?

How could the decisions made in 1776 secure the foundations? During the American Revolutionary War of 1775-1783, and my service as president of the United States of 1789-1797, I became known as the "Father of My Country" for leadership of this abundant land.

What a wonderous country blessed by fertile land, hard-working people, natural resources and abundant optimism, curiosity and grit! The author's great-grandfather John Fredell arrived from Sweden and became a citizen in April 1886. Circuit Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit in Michigan presided.

Happy Birthday, America. As I had said with my last two words before death claimed me...."Tis well."

'Tis well, America, today and always, and forevermore.