Extra Points – Presidents Day Special

This week’s focus point…President’s Day Special

When I was young, the country celebrated the birthdays of both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in February. They were recognized as perhaps the two “greatest” presidents at that point. Years later, we as a country simplified and basically honored all presidents with one special holiday, which we celebrate today.

In college I was a history major. I learned much more about Washington and Lincoln, as well as many of the less heralded commanders-in-chief. As a youngster, these men held more of a mythical status in my head. As I learned more and eventually visited Washington D.C., a more real view of them emerged.

All the men that have held this office over the past 225 years (remember we went about 15 years after the Declaration of Independence with no president), have taken on a tremendous responsibility. Not one of them were universally beloved while they sat in office, not even Washington, and especially not Lincoln. We’ve had scoundrels and martyrs; men of different character and charisma. In the end, we as a country would not be where we are today, nor would the majority of us reading this have the opportunities without each of them.

Take this day to honor our presidents by simply learning more about one of them. We are currently on #44 (ironically we’ve had less POTUS’s than Super Bowls). There still aren’t all that many, yet each one has left a mark on our country. We should be grateful each one stepped up and took the challenge.

This week’s quote –

“We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.“

~ George Washington

Want to discuss this topic? Join the conversation! No Weedin Unleashed today due to the holiday. The next free Weedin Unleashed broadcast is next Monday at 12 pm Pacific.

1 Comment

Brenda Prowse on February 16, 2015 at 1:28 pm

Thank you Dan for the reminder: “We should be grateful that each president stepped up to the challenge.”