Even though his family owned property, Washington lived with few comforts for most of his life. First he was a surveyor and then a soldier. Besides training himself in how to endure hard circumstances physically, he trained himself in how to control his manners and character. Washington had a quick temper growing up. He was loud and impulsive. But he realized that if he wanted to gain respect as a leader, he had to be calm under pressure and be respectful to others. As a teenager, he copied a list of 110 “rules of civility” into a notebook and tried to put them into practice. Here are a few:

 

“Every action done in company ought to be done with some sign of respect to those that are present.

 

In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

 

Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.”

 

Washington worked hard to shape his character, and he was successful! He said later in life, “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles: the character of an honest man.”

 

In 1775, Washington was made Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in the war against Great Britain. For the next eight years, he worked tirelessly as the head of the Revolutionary army. When victory was finally secured, some people wanted to make Washington a king. After all, he had succeeded as a general. Many men would have been tempted to take power. But Washington realized that in the long term, American needed to come up with a system of government that was not focused on only one person. Who remembers from our virtue of the month what system of government we have? A Democratic system.

 

So Washington retired to his plantation on Mount Vernon to become a farmer once again. He showed citizenship in serving his country and showed citizenship once again by retiring from service.

 

He was called once again into service as President of the United States and served for two terms from 1789 to 1797. Once again, he decided to retire after his second term. He wanted to set an example that no one person should be in charge forever. We are all American citizens; we all have a duty to our country, and not to serve our own interests in power.

 

After he retired from being both Commander in Chief and President of the United States, George Washington was called the American Cincinnatus. Remember the story that Mrs. Molder told you all about the Roman general who laid down his power after just ten days and returned to his farm?

 

So let’s sum up how George Washington was a model citizen. First, he governed himself—he learned how to keep his temper, be polite, and be a serious leader when he needed to be. He led by example. He served others, but did not become hungry for power when he was given the opportunity.

 

Think about how you all can be good citizens of your wonderful families, school, town, and country. How can you govern yourselves, help each other, and lead by example?