Esteemed as the "Father of our Country," George Washington was not only America's first president but also its spiritual leader and model. A man who lived his own life in humility and sterling character, Washington has much to offer Americans in his legacy to them. Washington's service to his country forever changed its course, and his own deep religious beliefs permeated all that he did in her behalf. Washington left us not just an inspiration but a model of what it means to be an American, and that model includes patriotism, virtue and character, and religious freedom.
Washington's patriotism was irrefutable. As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775, he faced "a hopeless cause" with "no trained soldiers, no money, no ammunition, no weapons, and no supplies" as he prepared to take on "the greatest army in the world," that of Great Britain (Roche 1997). Suffering like his men from cold and deprivation, Washington won the War of Independence with "a stunning surprise attack at Yorktown" but had to keep his men there until the treaty was signed (Roche 1997). Having not been paid, seen their families, or worked their farms for two years, the men planned a mutiny (Roche 1997). Surprising them in their meeting and requesting to speak, Washington assayed to read them a letter from a congressman that would "prove the good faith of our government," but was unable to read it without putting on his glasses(which he was embarrassed to use and had never before worn in public (Roche 1997). He apologized, saying "Gentleman, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country," but when he tried to read the letter, "his voice, as well as his composure, deserted him. He stalked out of the room without uttering another word" (Roche 1997). His men were so moved that even the most hardened among them wept openly, and "They immediately pledged to f...