George Washington Frees His Slaves in His Will

Pol Light Moment #81 was when George Washington put in his will to have his slaves freed. He died on December 14, 1799. George Washington (1732-1799) was the First President of the United States, serving from 1789-1797. Prior to serving as President he was a military leader when the United States was struggling for it's freedom as a nation.

Washington specified in his Last Will and Testament that all of his slaves would be freed upon his wife's death. However, his wife, Martha Washington freed all his slaves on January 1, 1801, a little over a year after his death (MountVernon.org).

"In addition to ordering their freedom, Washington's Last Will and Testament commanded his heirs to clothe and feed those slaves who were incapable of supporting themselves due to age or infirmity. His estate continued to fulfill this responsibility for over three decades (MountVernon.org)."

In 1786, George Washington expressed his feelings on slavery when he said,"I can only say there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it (Source - PBS.org)."  The act of freeing one's slaves is called manumission and George Washington accomplished this legally by putting provisions in his Last Will and Testament.

George Washington has been featured in other Pol Light moments and can be found by searching this blog with the George Washington Label.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of George Washington in this post is in the Public Domain and was obtained on Wikipedia.

Mark Warner Helps Family Receive Soldiers Medals

Mark Warner

Pol Light Moment #52 took place on March 22, 2013, when Senator Mark Warner helped the Virginia family of PFC Alonzo Hayes receive the medals he earned nearly 70 years after he died in combat in World War II. Mark Warner has served as the United States Senator from Virginia since 2009.
PFC Alonzo Hayes was killed near Florence, Italy on August 22, 1944 (Source). On March 22, 2013, the family of PFC Alonzo Hayes received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service. The medals should have been with Hayes when he was buried 70 years ago.   Here is a news story of how the family of the Alonzo Haynes received the medals after 70 years. 

Lou Kadiri, who serves as the Constituent Services Director for Senator Mark Warner's office, said to the family of PFC Alonzo Hayes, "It truly, truly is an honor for the senator to help you get these medals your brother earned, that he so bravely earned (Source)."
Tollie Haynes, the younger brother of the late Alonzo Hayes said, "I am so honored to get these medals. I'll never forget him. This touches my heart. It means a great deal, just like part of him came back (Source)."
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
The photo of Mark Warner is in the Public Domain. 

Ken Cuccinelli Saves Trucker from Fire

Pol Light Moment #44 is when Ken Cuccinelli saved a trucker from a fire on January 25, 2013. Ken Cuccinelli is the Attorney General in the State of Virginia, a position he has held since 2010. From 2002-2010 he served in the Virginia State Senate.

On January 25, 2013, Ken Cuccinelli and his driver Cory Chenard were driving on I-64 near Louisa, Virginia. They noticed smoke and burning tires in the truck ahead of them. The Trucker's Report said,

They were able to get the driver to pull over, and after checking to make sure that she was okay, they retrieved a fire extinguisher and were able to put out the fire. Cuccinelli said the driver clearly didn't know there had been a problem, but it looked like the issue was that her brakes had locked up and the friction had caused the fire (Source). 

Here is a news story on the moment when Ken Cuccinelli helped save a trucker from a fire.


For more information on this read an article at the Trucker's Report about this moment.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Ken Cuccinnelli is in the Wikipedia Commons and is attributed to Cage Skidmore.

Thomas Jefferson Writes Declaration of Independence

Pol Light Moment #43 is when Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was written between June 11 and June 28, 1776, and formerly adopted on July 4, 1776.  Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President of the United States, serving from 1801-1809. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to be the individual to write this important document in the history of the United States and 56 of the nation's leaders signed their name to the finished Declaration of Independence.  Here is a technological creation of what it might have sounded like if Thomas Jefferson read the Declaration of Independence. 
Some of the most memorable portion of the Declaration of Independence say:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely effect their Safety and Happiness. 

You can read a full transcript of the Declaration of Independence at the Charters of Freedom Website.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
The photo of the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson are in the Public Domain. 

George Washington's Order Against Profanity

Pol Light Moment #27 was George Washington's General Orders On Profanity.  George Washington (1732-1799) was the First President of the United States, serving from 1789-1797. Prior to serving as President he was a military leader when the United States was struggling for it's freedom as a nation.

In 1775 Washington was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army for what is known as the Revolutionary War. Washington was concerned about the profane language used by the Continental Army and how that would impact the war efforts. On August 3, 1776, George Washington issued the following General Orders to his officers from his headquarters in New York.

The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice hitherto little known in our American Army is growing into fashion. He hopes that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low without any temptation that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.

(Signed,) George Washington (Source)

George Washington has been featured in other Pol Light moments and can be found by searching this blog with the George Washington Label.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of George Washington in this post is in the Public Domain and was obtained on Wikipedia.