Some of you asked about the remarks I gave last week at our Christmas party. Here is what I prepared.

WASHINGTON, CHRISTMAS & SERVICE ABOVE SELF

     When I was told a few days ago that the Club President traditionally performs at our Christmas party, it seemed apt to come up with something that combined a Christmas theme with a Rotary theme. The story I am about to tell goes back to the founding of our country. It is, in my opinion, a great American example of fulfilling the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.

     In 1775, George Washington, at the age of 43, was called from his beautiful home along the Potomac River, and agreed to take command of the ragtag Continental Army. It wasn’t much of a military force, especially when compared to the English Redcoats. Yet, little more than a year later, thirteen of the British colonies in North America declared their independence and formed our country, the United States of America.

     The American army, such as it was, had been garrisoned in New York City. Overwhelming British military superiority, however, ignominiously forced Washington and his troops out of New York. Yet, on Christmas Day, 1776, Washington led his troops across the Delaware River, surprised the British and their Hessian allies, and won the battle of Trenton.

     For the next several years, Washington remained on duty, never returning home. Even after having won the Battle of Yorktown in the Fall of 1781, Washington stayed at his post.

     The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War, was signed on September 3, 1783. But word traveled slowly in those days. News of the treaty did not reach America until early November. The British commander in America, with his 20,000 British troops, still occupied New York City. He planned on leaving November 23, but various delays put him forty-eight hours behind schedule. Washington waited patiently just outside town with the remnant of his army (most of his troops had returned home long before this). Early on the afternoon of November 25, a great fleet bearing the British armed forces and thousands of Loyalists set sail.

     Henry Knox led the Continentals into the city. Washington followed with Governor George Clinton. Cheering crowds welcomed back the American army. It was a triumphal return for Washington after having been chased from New York City so many years before. The dark days of 1776 were far in the past. The redcoats were sailing away, leaving the Americans to face the challenges of peace and independence.
For more than a week, Washington enjoyed a series of celebratory dinners and receptions. But he was anxious to start on his journey home. Before he left, however, he gathered his remaining officers together for a farewell meal at the Fraunces Tavern.

     It was an awkward occasion that December 4th, and no one ate much. Washington entered and filled a plate, but then simply set it down. He raised a glass for a toast, and all the men present joined him. He began, “With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I devoutly wish that your later days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.” Overcome with emotion, Washington paused for a moment, then continued: “I cannot … I cannot come to each of you but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand.” One by one, the officers went up and embraced General Washington. They then escorted Washington to a ferry bound for present day Jersey City. As it cast off, he raised his hat in a final salute.

     Washington traveled to Philadelphia and then on to Annapolis, where Congress was in session. There, he turned in his accounts, and, on December 23, resigned his commission. Overwhelmed by occasion, Washington spoke quietly and briefly: “I retire from the great theater of Action.” Washington left, and rode home, where he spent Christmas for the first time in almost a decade.

     Washington truly embodied our Motto – Service Above Self. King George III, disbelieving reports Washington had turned down the opportunity to become king and was retiring from his command, said that if Washington truly gave up his power and returned home, he will truly be the “greatest man in the world.” In this, his judgment seems to have been on target.

Merry Christmas!
Andy