Saturday marks the beginning of National FFA Week. Having been a member, Advisor, and now an Honorary Member of the Future Farmers of America, I am very thankful for the influence this organization has on so many young people! It continues to grow and thrive as it celebrates 100 years in Virginia and 98 nationally!
National FFA Week is always held the week of George Washington’s birthday which is February 22nd. Many of us take this national hero for granted since the Valley is part of his home turf which he originally surveyed. He also represented our region in the state legislature and one of my ancestors voted for him in that election.
I’ve previously written about how God spared this incredible leader in the Battle of Monongahela when he was shot at multiple times with four bullets passing through his coat. Although the French and Indians killed or wounded 700 that day, including every mounted officer, Washington survived even though he darted across the battlefield delivering General Braddock’s orders. That was 1755.
Two years earlier, Washington was selected as the English ambassador to deliver a message to the French claiming the Ohio Valley for Virginia and warning against their incursion. At 21, he made the 500-mile trip through the wilderness to the shores of Lake Erie. When he arrived and presented his message, it was rejected and met with the French response that they would evict every Englishman from the territory.
When he and his guide were returning to Virginia in the dead of winter, they were ambushed by Indians from whom they were able to escape. As they hastily fled, they came to a large river which was not yet frozen. While we remember Washington’s crossing of the Delaware at Trenton, many have never heard of an earlier miracle. After building a small raft, they attempted to navigate to the other bank using push poles. Unfortunately, the current wrecked their raft, and they ended up on one of its logs in the icy water. They spent the night on an island where his companion’s toes froze. The next morning, they walked to the opposite bank as the river had frozen during the night and in mid-January of 1754, he arrived in Williamsburg with the French response.
As tensions built, Washington was made Lieutenant Colonel and headed west to prevent the French from establishing Fort Duquesne. When the enemy discovered Washington’s party, they planned to attack while the Americans built the makeshift Fort Necessity. Facing overwhelming odds and with his army being decimated, Washington surrendered and was allowed to retreat. Ironically, that occurred on July 4, 1754, 22 years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which Washington would be needed to secure.
Not long after Fort Necessity, Washington resigned from military service and returned to Mt. Vernon intending to pursue his agricultural interests which were always his favorite. He once remarked, “The life of a husbandman is the most delectable.” It was from this and his numerous agricultural advancements that the FFA has honored him with the annual celebration and with the FFA Treasurer’s emblem.
Ever responsive to duty, Washington reentered the army in April of 1755 under General Braddock which led to Washington’s miraculous deliverance at Monongahela. His mother tried to deter him from further military involvement to which he replied, “The God to whom you commended me…defended me from all harm. I trust He will do so now.” His mother reluctantly agreed promising her continued prayers as she said, “With [God’s] blessing you can be a useful man in war as in peace, and without it you can expect nothing.” What a wise mother!
God heard and answered her prayers and kept George safe not only through that war but through the Revolutionary War to come. As we observe his birthday on Sunday, may we thank God for him and, like all FFA members, honor this great American leader. Blessings, George