Happy President's Day

The origin of Presidents’ Day lies in the 1880s, when the birthday of President George Washington—commander of the Continental Army during the  American Revolution and the first president of the United States—was first celebrated as a federal holiday. George Washington’s birthday, February 22nd, and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, February 12th, were combined to become known as President’s Day when the holiday was moved to Monday and unified. This year, we celebrate President’s Day with new leadership’s commitment to unify the country with a diverse staff and cabinet that reflects our multi-cultural nation.

President Washington wrote and said many inspiring words; “My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.” President Abraham Lincoln reminded us at Gettysburg “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

As Washington and Lincoln observed the plight of the nation from their viewpoint, subsequent presidents have shouldered the responsibility to insure justice and domestic tranquility. The task remains at the forefront of the office of president, coupled with the awesome responsibility of caring for the physical health of our citizenry. We must banish the plague of war, squelch internal conflict, and build a coalition to preserve freedom. A coalition that gives the world the view of the United States as the government of, by, and for the people. With the vision of the people, no one person can overshadow the cause of a multitude.

There are challenges in each presidential term that leave lasting lesions to be endured and presents lessons for growth. We must focus forward, healing the wounds that fester underneath that infect relationships between the people and the government. We look to our real-life heroes, our presidents, to apply a healing salve to cleanse the infected wounds. So today, I say thank you to President Washington and President Lincoln which laid a proper foundation for freedom.  Best wishes to President Biden as he surveys the United States with an eagle eye on what can be in his term in the highest office in the land. As citizens, we must place our support and underwrite the plans of President Biden as he guides the country forward. We salute you for your service!