George and Abraham: Washington and Lincoln set standard for all other presidents

Today is Presidents Day, and most people will not care much, since the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are no longer actually observed. Instead, we have a generic substitute that few people celebrate.

That is a shame.

These men were truly extraordinary leaders at the key junctures in our nation's history. Washington led the foundation of the United States, and Lincoln held it together during its greatest crisis. They deserve better than a single day set aside in memory of all the men who have served in the office.

Time was, both Washington and Lincoln had his own special day when he was held up as an example of what a president should be. We just hope that students in our schools are still being taught the full stories of these two men who ensured that mankind's greatest experiment in democracy would not die.

They made a difference in the history of our country that is not rivaled by another president. They were the right men in the right place at the right time. By lumping them together into one day of observance we minimize our appreciation of their legacies.

Published in Editorials on February 20, 2017 9:47 AM