February 22, 1732, founding father George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. After Washington’s death in 1799, his birthday became a day of remembrance for his life and service. In 1885 the day was added to four other national holidays of note. Congress shifted the holiday (by then known as President’s day) in the late 1960’s to a predetermined Monday in February and as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act included the celebration of Lincoln’s birth in as well.
Tonight our National Society will be the lead sponsor for the worldwide George Washington’s Birthday Celebration hosted by Mount Vernon. As the lead sponsor DAR members are able to attend this event for free this evening. To learn more about the celebration or to view the event please click here. Additionally you can read more about our role in the celebration in this recent blog post from our President General.
As we remember our first president and the general that led us through the Revolutionary War, let us reflect on his own words. This prayer is read daily at Mount Vernon during the wreath laying ceremony at his grave.
I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Devine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. Amen
If you have a special devotional or scripture, we invite you to share those with the TSDAR for our upcoming devotional book. As you may know State Chaplain Nannette Feeback is compiling a wonderful book of devotions Word, Thought, Prayer: A Season of Devotion by Tennessee Daughters and has extended the deadline to March 1 for those submissions. We would love to have at least one devotional from every chapter included in the book. Click here for full information on the devotional book submission process.
I hope that today you will reflect not only on Washington, but also on the men that served with him to help create this great nation.
In Service, Cecile
