George Washington - 1796 Farewell Address

George Washington
1st US President (1789-1797)

It is not yet officially George Washington's birthday.  That is February 22nd.  And if he were alive today he would turn 281 this year.  In other words, he was born in 1732.

Before he was the 1st US President, George Washington served the United States of America in extraordinary ways.

Not only was he a Founding Father, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).  And he led the convention which drafted the US Constitution in 1787.

His following was so strong that when he was chosen President, he was unanimously elected by the 69 electors of 1788.  He served two terms as President.  Then reluctantly declined to run a third time.

The result of his retirement from the Presidency was the delivery of his 1796 Farewell Address, which was printed in newspapers across the country.

Then in 1862, in the heart of the Civil War, the US Senate began an annual tradition of reading his 1796 Farewell Address.  In fact, that tradition continues today.  Every year a member of the Senate reads the entire Address on February 22nd.

George Washington provided two decades of highly memorable service to the citizens of the United States of America.  And this legacy of courageous service continues today through the millions of Public Safety personnel - Military, Police, Fire and EMS - who offer incredible protection and security to the people of this country.

Here's to the memory of our 1st US President, George Washington.

THANKS to Military Members

Last week we said THANKS to Firefighters, THANKS to Police Officers and THANKS to EMTs.

Today we say THANKS to Military Members everywhere!!

We realize you have two of the most stressful jobs -- as a Soldier and a General.

We enjoyed following you at the 2012 London Olympics, including:

• Vincent Hancock -- Army Sergeant // Skeet Shooter // Gold Medalist!
• Dremiel Byers -- Army Soldier // Wrestler
• Keith Sanderson -- Army Soldier // Pistol Shooter
• Spenser Mango -- Army Sergeant // Wrestler
• Dennis Bowsher -- Army Soldier // Pentathlete
• John Nunn -- Army Sergeant // Race Walker
• Daryl Szarenski -- Army Sergeant // Pistol Shooter
• And many more

In addition, we followed Ryan McIntosh - Injured Army Veteran - at the 2012 US Open.

And then we followed you at the 2012 London Paralympics, including:

• Brad Snyder -- Navy Veteran // Swimmer // Gold Medalist!
• Rob Jones -- Marine Veteran // Rower
• Melissa Stockwell -- Army Veteran // Triathlete
• And many more

We are glad to see local communities reaching out to help local Veterans, through programs like this one -- SCV Habitat for Heroes.

We are thrilled to see US citizens - like Tom Clark, a US History teacher - who carefully remembers the brave Veterans who have shaped American History.

And many of you worked tirelessly to serve and rescue people through Superstorm Sandy.  The devastation was immense.  But with your help the cleanup will be fully accomplished.

Your service to this great country is amazing, so we say THANKS to Military Members everywhere!!

American Heroes - London Paralympians

Henry Miller (1891-1980) was an American author who said:
"The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts.  An immense difference."

These are American Military Heroes who did not just witness action, they acted!  And their choice to act brought life-changing results.  We owe them a deep sense of gratitude and honor.  They have served the USA and our US Military well!

These people also competed in the 2012 London Paralympics!!  Take a look at their stories...

Dugie Denton - Army - Archery
Dugie was shot in the course of military service, which led to a plate being put in his ankle.  He also suffers from a traumatic brain injury.  He took 9th place in the Open Individual Compound Archery event.


Rob Jones - Marines - Rowing
Rob lost both legs above-the-knee after an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2010.  He and his rowing partner, Oksana Masters, took home a Bronze Medal in the Mixed Double Sculls event!!


Josh Olson - Army - Shooting
Josh lost his right leg from the hip down during a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq in 2004.  He took 28th place in the 50m Prone Rifle event.


Jennifer Schuble - West Point Cadet - Cycling
Jennifer suffered a traumatic brain injury during hand-to-hand combat training at the Academy.  Then a car accident crushed her right arm.  And then in 2004 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  She took home a Silver Medal and a Bronze Medal in the 500m Cycling and Mixed Team Sprint Cycling events, respectively!!


Gavin Sibayan - Army - Soccer
Gavin survived many roadside bombs, then suffered a stroke.  Team USA took 8th place in the Soccer event.


Brad Snyder - Navy - Swimming
Brad lost his sight following a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2011.  He took home the following:

• Silver Medal - 50m Freestyle!!
• Gold Medal - 100m Freestyle!!
• Gold Medal - 400m Freestyle!!
• 4th Place - 100m Butterfly
• 6th Place - 100m Breaststroke
• 5th Place - 100m Backstroke
• 6th Place - 200m Ind. Medley

Scott Winkler - Army - Shot Put
Scott was paralyzed from the chest down after falling from an ammo truck in Iraq in 2003.  He took 13th place in the Shot Put event.


Finally, have a look at this 2012 London Paralympics Slide Show...