Not until I read 1776 by David McCullough did I learn that America's first leaders had the ability to look at the world providentially, ignoring thoughts of self preservation and creeping ascendancy that ruined every other civilization.

How far we've come.

Then news broke that Usama Bin Laden was killed. Instantaneous celebrations broke out around the world. News reports continually confirmed details about the elite special forces, Department of Defense, CIA, and the Obama White House that worked together to end 10 years of dead man walking. This military operation, a shining example of leadership readily celebrated by all Americans, came at a good time.

The Heritage Foundation released a gruesome look at our fiscal situation. Our public education system has been systematically destroyed by socialist ideologues. Our domestic energy policy has gone to rabid dogs determined to undermine principles of energy independence. American culture continues to slide towards moral relativism and away from our intended characteristics of virtue, morality, and good character. We need leadership. Desperately.

But we need a leader in the truest form. We need a leader who can quell a military insurrection with gray hairs and near blindness. In 1775, George Washington accepted the command of America's armed forces (refusing the salary), but led the weary, underpaid and untrained military through a series of divine victories for eight years. As the war began to wind down, congressional neglect of the army increased:

"Washington's troops urged him to seize power from the politicians, but he repudiated every such suggestion. On March 15, 1783, Washington met his unhappy and rebellious officers at Newburgh, New York, to discourage them from marching on Congress over back pay, but the speech he had prepared proved unpersuasive. Washington decided to read a letter that he had received from a congressman. As he reached into his coat for his glasses, he said to his troops, 'Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind, in the service of my country.' In that single moment of sheer vulnerability, Washington's men were deeply moved, even shamed, and many were quickly in tears, now looking with great affection at this aging man who had led them through so much. Washington read the remainder of the letter, then left without saying a word, realizing their sentiments. His officers then cast a unanimous vote, essentially agreeing to the rule of Congress. Thus, the civilian government was preserved and the experiment of America continued."

No consideration for his own well being, Washington preserved the American experiment which has developed into a 235-year, unmatched, undefeated, uncompromising civilization. And last week, our assiduous military demonstrated once again that we are not a country that succumbs to forces pulling at the strings of self-indulgence. As Usama's body dissolves in the salty sea, we can celebrate this victory, thankful for true leadership, determined to bring that same courage and virtue back to the White House next year.