From+Life+to+Death

__ From Life to Death __ Ashland,Ky By:Tanner Ganote George Washington, from commander to president was a great leader. Washington supported the United States of America in many ways, and is universally regarded as the “Father of his country”. Washington quickly became a senior officer during the first stages of the French and Indian War. Chosen by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 he became the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he went on to force Britain out of Boston in 1776, although they often outsmarted him in battle and he was defeated and nearly captured later that year when he lost New York City. He then had the honor of serving as the first president of the United States and gives the first inaugural speech. One of his most famous quotes is “Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” He was born on February 22, 1732 into the provincial gentry of a wealthy, well connected colonial Virginia family who owned tobacco plantations; he died on December 14, 1799. His death was presumably caused by a virulent bacterial infection of the epiglottis; a cartilage flap that slams shut during swallowing, protecting the airway from food particles. He will never be forgotten, but always honored as the “Father of our Country”.