There are a lot of stories told about George Washington -- he chopped down a cherry tree and wouldn't lie about it, he had wooden teeth. But most of these stories (including the two I just mentioned) are fiction. The real George Washington is much more interesting.

One of my favorite stories about George Washington has to do with a hunting dog. The continental army was camped in Trenton. One of the soldiers brought a dog to Washington, who immediately recognized the dog as General Howe's hunting dog.

Any other general might have kept this fine hunting dog as a spoil of war, but Washington returned the dog, under a white truce flag, to General Howe. Howe later sent Washington a thank you letter. Neither the dog nor the note made any difference in the war.

Another revolutionary war story I like is about Washington and a Jewish soldier and Hanukka. The Jewish soldier was in the snow lighting his Hanukka menora and praying. Washington saw him and asked him what he was doing. The soldier told Washington that he was lighting the Hanukka candles along with Jews worldwide that night. He told Washington about the story of Hanukka (see Hanukka lens and Kislev -- the month of Hanukka for more about Hanukka) and told the General he was praying for the victory for the Continental Army over the British.

Washington joined him in prayer. He then asked the soldier for his name and address and disappeared.

The Battle went to the colonists, as did the rest of the war. Cornwallis surrendered to Washington and American independence followed.

A few months after the victory, the Jewish soldier received a letter from Washington. In the letter, he told the soldier that his simple act of faith had given Washington hope and strength and it was that hope and strength that helped him defeat the British.

Check out my other squidoo lenses:
Strong Biblical Women
Strong Biblical Women 2
Why Be Vegetarian
Vegetarianism: Getting Started 1
Vegetarianism: Getting Started 2
Rosh Hashana
Quick Vegan Cooking
Creating new recipes from old
Strong Biblical Women Part 3
Hanuka
Witches and Morality
Presidential Trivia Quiz
Christmas and the Jewish Single
Math Hints 1 -- Adding Fractions

Check out my blogs:

Israel and it's Place in the World
Jewish Singles
Strong Jewish Women