Photo: https://goodshepherdcampus.org/presidents-day-origin-washingtons-birthday/
Welcome back to The Sunstone Way.
I hope you enjoyed the Presidents’ Day holiday Monday, and spent a little time dreaming. I say that because the presidents we honor with the holiday, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, had giant American Dreams and sacrificed greatly to make those dreams come true.
Washington Leads
George Washington, born on Feb. 22, 1732, is commonly called the father of our country. His military career began before the French and Indian War under British command. But when the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, he was appointed as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
That appointment began a stretch of 15 years serving his country without returning to his Mount Vernon home pursuing the colonists’ dream of an independent country of their own – a dream he accepted as his own.
He led troops in defeat and victory over the six years it took to drive out the British. He spent another year as president of the Continental Congress, creating the U.S. Constitution, then served two terms as President of the United States. He declined calls to serve as president for life, saying no one man should rule over a democratic country. There was a peaceful transition of power, providing the model for future democracies.
Besides, he had fulfilled his American Dream.
Rising To The Occasion
Abraham Lincoln served as President for just more than four years. Yet he consistently is named the greatest president this country has ever had.
He is the embodiment of the American Dream. Born to poor farmers, he had to work early in his life, receiving little formal education. Lincoln learned to read and taught himself little by little while working the land with his father, splitting rails and taking on odd jobs.
The spread of slavery as the country grew to the West prompted Lincoln to return to politics, first running for Senate, then winning the Presidency in 1860. The very idea of a Lincoln administration prompted some southern states to succeed from the Union, and a month after he took office, the Civil War began.
His Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in states “in rebellion” was the basis for the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery. He was assassinated on April 14, 1865, just five days after the Confederate Army surrendered at Appomattox. But his American Dream of a country where all are free to pursue their own dreams had come true, at least in concept.
Models For Today
These two presidents are, I think, why I and so many other people wanted to be President when we grew up. They had such a huge impact on creating the country, the freedoms we enjoy today.
Washington and Lincoln both spent their lives sacrificing for the greater good. They loved their country and fought for it day and night for years.
We might not be able to have the world-shaping impact that Washington and Lincoln had. We can have an impact, though, and a big one.
It starts with a new dream – a dream of an independent country, or a country where all people have a chance and are seen as equal under the law. We have a new vision too.
Our vision includes an energy strategy that takes advantage of all forms of energy generation, that focuses on innovation to make our world a better place to live. Our vision is government and private industry working together to build the future – a Public-Private Partnership model that proves the sum of the parts are greater than the whole.
Lessons Learned
For some Presidents’ Day is just another three-day weekend, providing extra time for rest and relaxation. For others, it means sales on furniture or appliances.
For me, it means a chance to reflect on the vision and sacrifice of these bigger than life men in our history. Without them, it is doubtful we would be living in this country of freedom and opportunity today.
Washington and Lincoln showed how a vision, a selfless willingness to serve the greater good, and some pretty special abilities can change the world. Isn’t that The Sunstone Way?
Remember, always be a Sunstone.
John Keisler
CEO & Managing Partner
Sunstone Management, Inc.
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