During our visit to Valley Forge National Historical Park, we only had less than an hour totake in as much as possible. While driving around this memorial column caught our eye. It is topped withanorb and eagles with outspread arms.
Valley Forge embodied the challenge of leadership. Washington was the acknowledged leader of a nation that was struggling to exist. He managed the military effort while also handling national matters when the increasingly weak Continental Congress too refuge in central Pennsylvania. Political wrangling often precluded accomplishing workthat was necessarytokeep the army in the field and hold together the loose confederation of states.
In his writings, George Washington wrote:
At present my time is so taken up at my desk, thatI am obliged to neglect many other essential parts of my duties; it is absolutely necessary… for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.
An equestrian monumentto General Anthony Wayne is at Valley Forge.
One final detailthat caught our eye were these “Once Upon A Nation” wayside signs, that offer free storiesfrom 11am to 4pm. This particular site was marked #1. And while no one was there, it was a clever way to promote an ongoing program by placing a wayfinding reminder in the physical landscape.
