Happy Birthday, George!

Today is George Washington's birthday. Here's a little tidbit that you may not have known.

One of George Washington's closest friends and confidants during the war for independence was a French nobleman named the Marquis de Lafayette. You've probably heard of him, as there are towns named after him all over the United States. He was a true hero of the revolution and, although he was a Frenchman, he has gone down in history as one of this nation's greatest patriots.

Lafayette served as a Captain in the French Calvary before coming over to aid the colonies in their struggle for independence. He and Washington quickly established a close and lasting friendship, and Lafayette was commissioned as a Major General in the fledgling Continental Army -- where he served with distinction and became known for his leadership abilities.

What you may not have known about him, however, is that when Lafayette was a Captain in the French Calvary, he was 16 years old. He received his commission as a Major General in the Continental Army at the age of 19.

Imagine if George Washington had the same attitude toward young people's abilities as we have today. Our war for independence would have been denied one of its greatest allies.