# 29

"Aspire to inspire before you expire"

More than 200 years ago, when our country was fighting against England, a young French nobleman ran away to join the fight for liberty. His name was Lafayette. He said he came to learn, not teach, and, from the first, took George Washington as an ideal. They became lifelong friends. Lafayette would name his son for Washington, and on his return to America in 1787, visited Washington at Mt. Vernon. He promised to soon return, but almost forty years passed before he kept his word.

He returned to his adopted country in 1824. He visited every state and territory in the Union and was met everywhere with warmest regards. The following incident occurred during the visit of 1824:

A brilliant reception was underway. A slow moving line of guests passed by Lafayette, who greeted each with courtly grace. Presently approached an old soldier clad in a worn Continental uniform. In his hand were an ancient musket, and across his shoulder a small blanket, or rather a piece of blanket. On reaching the marquis, the veteran drew himself up in the stiff fashion of the old-time drill and gave the military salute. As Lafayette returned the salute, tears sprang to his eyes. The tattered uniform, the ancient flintlock, the silver-haired veteran, even older than himself, recalled the dear past.

"Do you remember me?" asked the soldier.

"Indeed, I cannot say that I do," was the reply.

"Do you remember the frosts and snows of Valley Forge?"

"I shall never forget them," answered Lafayette.

"One bitter night, General Lafayette, you were going the rounds at Valley Forge. You came upon a sentry in thin clothing and without stockings. He was slowly freezing to death. You took his musket, saying 'Go to my hut. There you will find stockings, a blanket, and a fire. After warming yourself, bring the blanket to me. Meanwhile I will keep guard.'

"The soldier obeyed directions. When he returned to his post, you, General Lafayette, cut the blanket in two. One half you kept the other you presented to the sentry. Here, General, is the one half of the blanket, for I am the sentry whose life you saved." (Taken from Virtues of Leadership, William J. Bennett).

Leadership-
"I learned that a great leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do and like it." Harry S. Truman

Is there someone you think might enjoy Motivational Moments? If so, e-mail me their address and I will add them to the list of people receiving them. Tom

Contact Tom at: tomhughes@motivationNmore.com

Visit the Motivational Moments Archive

Subscribe to "Motivational Moments" Today