Presidents Day provides a national reminder for a strong, elected Commander in Chief
We haven't quite made it to Washington's actual birthday yet; however, the flags are out today and the fanfare is high, marking our nation's annual Presidents Day celebration!
Originally created 135 years ago to commemorate George Washington, Presidents Day was modified in 1971 to include recognition of Abraham Lincoln and be part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which would give government workers a three-day weekend. Because both Washington and Lincoln were born in February, it was decided that the holiday should be on the third Monday in February every year.
Washington and Lincoln were not the only presidents with February birthdays. ... Perhaps the February-born president with the greatest modern-day impact was Ronald Reagan. He entered the world on February 6, 1911, and after a successful career as a radio broadcaster, movie star, and governor of California, would eventually be admiringly and rightfully described as "transformational" ... And indeed, that he was.
It couldn't be more timely towards remembering why our Constitution provides for a strong Commander in Chief...
On Presidents Day, we celebrate the life and accomplishments of our first president, George Washington, the father of our country, and Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president and one of our most renowned statesmen.
On that day, Feb. 17 this year, we should remember that the Framers of the Constitution wanted to ensure that an American president—such as Washington and Lincoln—would have the power to defend the country when the safety, security, and independence of its people are threatened.
And that power is exactly what they gave the president in the Constitution when they made him the commander in chief of our military forces. ...
There is no need to rehash what happened after 9/11, including the immediate steps that President George W. Bush took to safeguard the country and to go after the terrorists who had sponsored, financed, and planned the attack on America. But Bush’s actions illustrate how important it was then, and is today, that our Constitution provides for a strong commander in chief.
As the Justice Department said in a 2001 legal opinion, no law and no congressional resolution “can place any limits on the President’s determinations as to any terrorist threat, the amount of military force to be used in response or the method, timing, and nature of the response. These decisions, under our Constitution, are for the president alone to make.”
That is a good thing.
So while we are celebrating Washington, who led an eight-year fight for our liberty, and Lincoln, who fought to stop the breakup of the Union, we also should be thankful for other presidents who used the strong power of the executive to protect the nation.
That includes President Franklin Roosevelt, who led us in the largest war in our history against two brutal tyrannies, as well as Bush, who acted decisively after the worst attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor.
Trump also should be applauded for taking out a terrorist thug who had American blood on his hands, and who would have continued to kill Americans.
Americans just like those who died on United Flight 93 when it crashed in what the National Park Service appropriately calls “a field of honor forever” in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
...as well as reminding our citizenry of the, though temporary, elected position held...
...during [Reagan's] White House years, nothing seemed to irritate him as much as when people said he had “become” president. Whenever he heard that, he always interrupted the speaker to firmly say: “No, I didn’t become president. I was elected to the job, and it’s only temporary. In some countries, a person becomes a king or queen, but not here.” ...
As proud as Reagan was of being twice chosen by his fellow citizens, he never felt he was entitled to the presidency. He was not intimidated by the role, but truth to tell, seemed a bit in awe of it.
And though we've inherently stumbled from time to time throughout our brief history, it is vital for us to freely choose our Presidents wisely, always with the strength of God, Country and Constitution behind them, if we hope to retain this greatest of nations. Our prayers are for continued Providential guidance, seeking prosperity and freedom across this land, towards that ultimate, eternal glorification.
O LORD our Governor, whose glory is in all the world; We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and to all in Authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness; and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
