George Washington, Father of his Country, is 279 years old today!

In celebration of the birthday of the Father of our Country, Freedom Film Distributors is offering A More Perfect Union for a special price 2 for $22 (a savings of 42%), but only until midnight ET February 23rd.  Get one for yourself and give one to a friend! See the bottom of this blog post for more info on how to get this special offer.

George Washington was raised a Christian gentleman, primarily by his older brother Lawrence and his mother, his father having died when he was young. He memorized the Rules of Civility and the 110 Rules for Young Gentlemen by heart, and practiced them all of his life.  The first of the 110 Rules for Young Gentlemen describe Washington's lifelong deportment well: "Let all actions performed in public show some sign of respectful sentiment to the entire company."  His virtuous conduct and example would provided a much needed standard for the new nation in many ways.

His brother's death in 1752 led to his promotion to Major in the Virginia militia and assumption of command (from his brother) of parts of western Virginia. He put his skills as a surveyor to good use, surveying most of the western part of Virginia and what is today West Virginia. His heroism in battle on the frontier, especially at the Battle of Fort Du Quesne, where he providentially cheated death numerous times and organized the successful retreat of the British force after General Braddock was mortally wounded, led to his promotion to Commander in Chief of the Virginia Military Forces in 1755 at the age of 23. After serving three years in that post, he served until 1775 in the Virginia House of Burgesses, when he was unanimously chosen to serve as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

When the Declaration of Independence was read to his men on July 9, 1776, he ordered chaplains placed in each regiment and proclaimed "The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavor so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier, defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country." The hardships due to inadequate supplies and funding, and repeated defeats against the largest expeditionary force fielded in the 18th Century were demoralizing, but Washington's character and sacrifice kept the Army together.  God's Providence in the retreat from Long Island and in countless other instances, led Washington to observe after the war that "The man must be bad indeed who can look upon the events of the American Revolution without feeling the warmest gratitude towards the great Author of the Universe whose divine interposition was so frequently manifested on our behalf."  This not only included protection from destruction during defeat in battle and surviving the brutal winter at Valley Forge, but unexpected victory in battles such as the Battle of Trenton and Battle of Princeton, which turned the tide of the war, at least in terms of the spirit of the colonists.

After the war, he lead quietly as the unanimously elected President of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, seldom speaking, but always a strong presence that helped to resolve key issues in the formation of the federal republic.

As the first and only unanimously elected President of the United States, he established key precedents for the role and scope of presidential action, including the precedent of only serving 2 terms.  At his inaugural address, April 30, 1789, he established the tradition of taking the oath of office with a hand on the Bible.  It was there that Washington proclaimed:

"It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe…No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of Providential agency."

George Washington's greatness of exemplified in his lifelong exercise and demonstration of timeless virtues.  Contemporary biographer David Ramsay wrote:

"There are few men of any kind, and still fewer the world calls great, who have not some of their virtues eclipsed by corresponding vices. But this was not the case of Gen. Washington. He had religion without austerity, dignity without pride, modesty without diffidence, courage without rashness, politeness without affectation, affability without familiarity. His private character, as well as his public one, will bear the strictest scrutiny. He was punctual in all his engagements; upright and honest in his dealings; temperate in his enjoyments; liberal and hospitable to an eminent degree; a lover of order; systematical and methodical in all his arrangements. He was the friend of morality and religion; steadily attended on public worship; encouraged and strengthened the hands of the clergy. In all his public acts, he made the most respectful mention of Providence; and, in a word, carried the spirit of piety with him both in his private life and public administration."  David Ramsay, Life of George Washington, 1807

Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee (father of General Robert E. Lee) was chosen to give the eulogy for George Washington in 1799, where he uttered his famous words:

"First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere—uniform, dignified and commanding—his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting. . . . Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues." 

Indeed, leader around the world heralded Washington as a man for the ages, a singularly conspicuous example of virtue to be emulated throughout the ages, which is why it is such an honor to be an American and to have a Founding Father such as he.  The Duke of Wellington succintly described the greatness of George Washington:

"The purest and noblest character of modern time – possibly of all time."

To celebrate Washington's birthday and provide you an opportunity to see the role he played in the formation of our federal republican government, we are offering a special "2 for $22" offer on the feature film "A More Perfect Union" that portrays the events of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.  Click on the DVD cover below and enter the coupon code "mpu2for22" at checkout to receive this special discount offer.  Select quantity of 2 when adding the DVD to your cart, then add the coupon code.  Limit 2 offer redemptions, 4 DVDs total.  This offer is for a limited time only, valid through midnight ET February 23rd, 2011.