November 13, 2008
by jmcclaren
Category: George Washington
November 13, 2008
by jmcclaren
While I was presenting to a school on Veterans’ Day, I talked about the Purple Heart that George Washington initiated originally as the Badge for Military Merit. I am sure it is no accident that the medal is purple-because the colors of RED, WHITE, and BLUE mixed together turn a wonderful amethyst shade. As an American, I am so thankful we honor our brave soldiers who answered the call to serve our country. These thoughts, for me, always lead back to George Washington and the sacrifices he made in order to create our democratic Republic. I wondered what the General was doing on November 11th so I checked his diary entries (George Washington’s Diaries-An Abridgement by Dorothy Twohig, Editor) for the November after the October 19th victory at Yorktown. This battle was truly the most triumphant time of Washington’s military career and yet I found his diary abruptly ends on November 5, 1781. Why? On November 6th, he rushed to the side of his dying stepson, Jacky. Jacky had contracted “camp fever” at Yorktown where he had been a civilian aide during the siege. His sister, Patsy, had died years earlier when she was a young teen. Now Washington, at a time when he should have been exulting in his victory, was stricken with grief and trying to console his heartbroken Martha whose children had all died before her. It is with awe that I reflect on the losses the General suffered, his adherence to duty, and his indomitable will that carried him and our country to a successful revolution. When creating the “Purple Heart,” Washington ended the Order with,“The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all.” May we remember that, because of the sacrifices of our veterans, America is the Land of the Free.
Category: George Washington
November 4, 2008
by jmcclaren
It has been a busy few weeks for the George Washington Oklahoma Ambassador. Prague Middle and Elementary Schools spent the day with the Ambassador where the older students used “sticky note” votes to determine which characteristics of Washington made him a great leader and the younger pupils recreated “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” She has traveled to Norman for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Fall Forum then went to Idabel to do lessons about Washington’s innovative farming and his impact on the Revolution with Pre-K through 8th grade classes at Denison Schools. 
Two days were spent at Justus-Taiwah Schools where students, teachers, and the Ambassador discussed the first Presidential Election and Washington’s leadership. The Ambassador next journeyed close to the Red River where she met with Greenville Elementary students to do some hands-on activities about the General. The younger children played a game about Washington’s farm and the older students created “rumper” stickers for Nelson, George Washington’s horse. It was Red Ribbon Week at Westside Elementary in Claremore so third and fourth grade students and faculty, using themselves as giant tokens on a board game, competed to see which group learned more about George Washington. The Ambassador spent Monday and Tuesday of this week talking to students and teachers at Madison Middle School in Bartlesville about Washington, the Electoral College, and elections. I believe our first President would have been pleased with the number of Americans who have taken an avid interest in America and its policies. 
As our first president stated, “It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.” Every American needs to cast their vote today.
Category: George Washington
The George Washington Oklahoma Ambassador visited Henryetta and Cleveland Schools the week of November 10-14. Henryetta students discussed Washington and the Revolution and made “rumper stickers” for the General’s horse, Nelson. They showed what they learned during the lesson by holding up red, white or blue cards in response to mulitple choice questions.Cleveland learned about Washington and the French and Indian War. They sang and danced to, “Blame it all on New France.” These were wonderful classes and a great time was had by all.
