Washington DC  -  In school, as our children turn from the task of cutting Valentine hearts to snip silhouettes of presidents from black construction paper, more of us should crack a history book to remind us of the qualities that make great leaders so memorable – and rare.

History is filled with the accomplishments of the two great presidents we honor on President’s Day: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

In his public life, President Washington was a revolutionary, a general, and signatory of the documents that would form the foundation of our democracy.  A common man, President Lincoln, a self-taught student of law and government, mastered the arts of debate and political philosophy to become a bold, compelling leader.

Washington still defines the leadership qualities we expect from the presidency.  Lincoln guided a nation through the horror and national trauma of civil war.  As commanders in chief, both men reminded Americans that freedom, which is both costly and invaluable, must be protected at every turn.  As examples of their respective eras in history, they awe us with their unwavering patriotism.

Our presidents wear many hats – military commander, chief diplomat, executive, and political consciousness – but it is when they hang up all of these hats to simply be Americans that we can learn the most from them.

Of Washington, biographer M.L. Weems wrote in an 1800 biography, “It is not then, in the glare of public, but in the shade of private life, that we are to look for the man.  Private life is always real life.  Behind the curtain, where the eyes of the million are not upon him... there he will always be sure to act himself.”

Both Washington and Lincoln relied on the inspiration of their faith to lead them through the twin trials of our nation’s birth and reunification.  They needed the strength of their families and the dedication of others to overcome the challenges they faced.  The strain of governing fractious unions and the burdens of leadership would have broken them without the moral bearing they possessed.  
 
Their upbringing, home life, and roles in their communities made them great Americans long before the presidency. 

Both future presidents were dedicated to bettering themselves from early ages.  They saw learning as a lifelong activity, they avidly read, and they gave back to American society by teaching others and serving as examples of the value of education.  Each gave of himself in military or public service, and each made sacrifices for the nation they loved. 

In the folklore of both biographies, Washington and Lincoln first earned the respect of their families and neighbors.  When Washington confesses to cutting down his father’s cherry tree and when Lincoln ruins a borrowed book and then works off its value at a neighboring farm, they demonstrate the promise of the lives ahead of them.
 The lesson is clear: we must first be active in our homes, our schools, our churches, and our communities before we aspire to be leaders of others.  Through giving, Washington and Lincoln became great men and great presidents.

The ultimate motivation for these actions does not have to be to become memorable American presidents – but it should be to become memorable Americans.

As Missourians prepare for elections in the coming months, we must emphasize the message of civic responsibility.

Voting and participating in the political process are the heartbeats of our democracy.  Following current events by reading the newspaper, listening to the radio, and watching the news is part of being a good citizen.  Our founding fathers emphasized the importance of freedom of the press for good reason and subsequent leaders continued the battle for the right to vote because they knew a free press and suffrage are the bedrock of democracy.  And a great president cannot touch our lives in as profound a way as a great teacher, a good neighbor, or a giving volunteer.

In our private lives, we continue to improve our great country, and, heart by heart, ensure that it shall not perish from this earth.