FM Washington

George Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day, December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, as depicted in an extraordinary painting by the German American artist Emmauel Leutze. In this commemorative painting, George Washington stands boldly at the front of the small craft, cape flying in the freezing cold wind only to be mocked by the American flag flowing the same behind him with twice as many folds. This painting now belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, although there are many copies of it in existence. Why is this painting so important to Americans? Why today, is this portrait of a determined man, on Christmas Day, crossing a choppy freezing cold river to defend his country important? What is the correlation between fighting the war of 1776 and fighting a war today? This depiction of a patriotic leader of his troops, who won’t stop for the warm traditional Christmas dinner or stop because the elements are too fierce, has set the tone for today’s American soldier profile. Soldiers of today are just as committed, and loyal as Emmauel Leutze portrays George Washington in this fantastic work of art.

The colorful emblems worn on the uniforms, in the form of the thousands of unit patches worn as shoulder sleeve insignia amply demonstrates the dedication through the many colorful designs that tell the units history and or dedication that is instilled in each and every soldier. Today, we witness troops leaving their families, commuting back and forth to war from places as cold as this river. Not only on during the holidays but every day. Their experiences are as choppy as the icy river. With their hearts split between a duty sworn to serve and a desire to achieve their best militarily, they cross over and away from the very people they have made an oath to protect. They not only put themselves in harms way to protect us but they also will lay down their life to protect our precious constitution that keeps us free. George Washington has this kind of commitment written all over his face even though he had no Constitution to defend at that time. But, it was heartfelt and the commitment is total.

Once he gets out into the middle of a raging Delaware River, there is no turning back from the order to attack the British and Hessian soldiers at Trenton, New Jersey. Look at George Washington’s face in the painting and consider the rag tag Continental Army he led. They were tired and cold. Some with no shoes marched in the snow to follow him. Now, that is a leader. This was no small American victory. It leaves an emotional and patriotic message, still today, for Americans. The Battle of Trenton was a decisive turning point in the American Revolution and a pivotal moment in our history. Washington later reflected, ‘the difficulty of passing the river on a very severe night and their march through violent storm of snow and hail did not least abate their ardor…’ That commitment by our troops still applies to this day. To appreciate this work of art is to appreciate our troops and our freedom.

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Tags: 1776, Canvas, Christmas, Crossed, Delaware, Famously, George, River, Washington