1st President: George Washington

In honor of President's Day, and because I thought it would be fun and fascinating, I'm going to express my gratitude here for every American president, starting with the first (and, to be honest, my favorite). Another reason I'm doing this is to help myself—and those who read these posts—to see the good, the things we can be grateful for with each of our presidents, and I mean each one.

So, let's get started with the first of 45, eh?

I am grateful for George Washington for many reasons, and I don't even consider myself much of a history buff, just an average college-educated man.

I am grateful for his extensive military service to the colonies and young America.
I am grateful for his extensive involvement and influence in the founding of America.
I am grateful for his amazing estate, Mount Vernon, a beautiful historical site.
I am grateful for his service as our first president under the Constitution, and for the example he set for all American presidents since then. From his inaugural addresses to taking the oath of office on a Bible to his resignation after two terms of service, he set tremendous and meaningful precedents.

I've noticed that almost every portrayal of the man I've seen, just about every discussion about his life and service is done with respect and admiration. There's something about his legacy, his demeanor during his life, and his personal policies and convictions about law, religion, human beings, and government that makes it so easy to put the man on a great historical pedestal.

He was, of course, a real man, and I don't pretend that he is perfect. But, I do see him as a man to be respected, admired, and—in many ways—emulated. I am grateful for George Washington.