Welcome to the American Story.

Stories about what it is that makes America beautiful

and worthy of our love.

This is Chris Flannery with the Claremont Institute.

I call this one

The Greatness of Washington

Why should young Americans who care about their country and aspire to do something worthwhile with their lives

be interested in the greatness of George Washington?

I think for at least two reasons.

First, to live a worthwhile life and do some good for the country,

it is necessary to know something about what is good and what is possible.

But we are not born knowing these things.

If we're lucky and pay attention, experience, reflection and study will teach us something useful.

Our families and our friends provide rich experience for the fortunate ones among us.

A hardworking father, a wise and loving mother, a friend who stands up for us in a pinch,

teaches us by his example. Knowing them, experiencing their goodness and reflecting upon it, is one of our most important

educations. It introduces us both to what is good and what is possible, and it inspires us to be like those we love

and admire. But greatness is by definition extraordinary and what is

extraordinary is by definition rare.

It takes nothing away from parents or friends to say that most of us do not know personally

someone with truly extraordinary gifts or capacities.

But it is extraordinary qualities that most clearly reveal what is good.

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