Yesterday, we observed that the primary civic institution is the family.  And while it is true that we cannot neglect our obligations to that first and most fundamental institution, we all still have civic duties that extend beyond it.

In the midst of the American Revolution, on March 27, 1779, George Washington wrote a letter to George Mason, disheartened by the fact that so many men with so much to offer the cause of liberty were staying at home to make money and build their personal reputations.  He wrote:

“I cannot refrain lamenting however in the most poignant terms, the fatal policy too prevalent in most of the states, of imploying their ablest men at home in posts of honor or profit * * * that much business of a trifling nature & personal concernment withdraws their attention from matters of great national moment at this critical period * * * —no man who wishes well to the liberties of his Country & desires to see its rights established, can avoid crying out where are our Men of abilities? why do they not come forth to save their Country?”

Some of you are only 5 years old right now—and none of you is even old enough to drive, let alone vote.  You may be saying to yourself, “this is all grown-up stuff—nobody needs me to save our country; I’m just thinking about what I’m going to do at recess today.”  But believe me when I tell you that it will go by in a blink.  And a time will come, sooner than you might expect, when your country will need you, and someone will ask, “where are our men of abilities?” and “why do they not come forth to save their Country?”

John Adams was right when he said that “[c]hildren should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.”  That much, your teachers can and will do.  But it will be up to you, at some “great national moment” in the future, whether you will sacrifice personal honor and profit to “come forth to save [your] Country.”  I hope you will.

Have a wonderful day.