Rural Water - Quarter 3, 2008 - (Page 50)

As Washington was traveling there, the battle for Bunker Hill was raging. At that time, the victory, before he got there, was astounding. Shop owners and farmers were able to defeat the world’s most powerful military, and it rippled around the globe. After he got there, there was a long siege, and eventually the British got in their ships and started heading toward New York. Washington packed up his army and cannons, and they rolled down to Manhattan Island. The British forced him to retreat from Manhattan Island; they forced him to retreat from New York. Washington then retreated from Delaware, and he had a series of retreats from Pennsylvania until he ended up in a very cold winter in a very cold place called Valley Forge, Pa. And in that winter, as in every year, it was his job to get his army to volunteer for another year of service. So one cold gray evening, he lined all the soldiers up, and he went to speak to them. According to his memoirs he gave them what he thought was the best speech he had made in his career to that point. He spoke about freedom, about liberty and about what they were giving to their families, and their posterity. And at the end of that speech, he asked them to volunteer for another year. Every one of them remained silent and remained in their standing position. And I can imagine seeing Washington there; looking shocked, not knowing what to say. He looked up into the gray sky and finally retreated one more time, according to his memoirs, this time to a nearby tent, where he paced back and forth. Washington thought, what can I tell them that will motivate them to stay in the fight, to create this country, to do the right thing? He finally went back outside and as it was getting dark, he stumbled through a second speech. This time he thought it was the absolute worst speech he had ever given. But at the end of it he said, “And as a sign you will volunteer, I want you to take one step forward. And then rather than looking around at his soldiers, he looked down at his boots. And for him it seemed like an eternity. But in just a few moments, an elderly gentleman way down the line, who had blankets wrapped around his feet, because he had no shoes, took one step forward. Within seconds, the entire army had taken one step forward. They volunteered for another year and went on to Yorktown, Va., where Lord Cornwallis, through a lower ranking officer, surrendered his sword to George Washington. They helped pass us this great nation. One elderly gentleman was willing to take a step forward, and it made a difference for the entire army. You would be surprised how much inf luence you have with your family, your friends, with those you work with, the people you go to your church with, the clerk in the store. They listen to you, to what you have to say. So stay involved in your political process. Stay involved in Rural Water; you are making a difference. God bless you and God bless America. 50 • Third Quarter 20081 355940_TankConnection.indd 12/7/07 4:08:01 PM http://www.tankconnection.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 3, 2008

Rural Water - Quarter 3, 2008 Contents From the President From Hypo to Gas - A Forward Leap If You Lose All Your Data Today... Would You Still Be in Business Tomorrow? Weaving the Wireless Web Rural Water and the Farm Bill Ensuring Your Water System's Security Guarding Against Becoming a Victim of Fraud 10 Ways to Improve Utility Efficiency New Technology Making a Difference By Being Involved Regulatory Update Source Water Protection Corner Throwing My Loop Cub Scouts Visit Alliance of Indiana Rural Water's Spring Conference Advertisers.com Index to Advertisers From the CEO

Rural Water - Quarter 3, 2008

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