A Perfect Man at the Right Time by Wenhan

A Perfect Man at the Right Time by Wenhan - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

If I’m able to have dinner with one U.S. President, George Washington would be my first choice. He owns distinct foresight, leadership, political and military skills make no other presidents can be as omnipotent as him. He is too perfect for being the first president of the United States. Back in 1776, when the U.S. declared independence, this nation had to be different and better than current European countries. The first president became significantly important even Americans themselves didn’t realize it at the time. From the point of view from nowadays, Mr. Washington set a good example of being a president for the next 46 presidents. His decisions on politics and accomplishments on laws led the United States on a right path towards democracy.
On the dinner, I’m curious about how the first president of the United States eat and what kind of food Washington like. Sometimes you can detect a person’s personality and habits from his way of eating. I guess George Washington isn’t picky about food and eat faster than normal people due to his long term military career. Speaking of his military career, I’m still surprised by how George Washington beat British army. Even though he closely observed British military tactics and acknowledged their weakness, strong strategy and extraordinary braveness were still required to accomplish what he had done. The story of how he led army crossed the Delaware River on the night of Christmas has been talked thousands of times, but it’s still awesome to hear from his speaking. I have no doubt George Washington tells good stories because every famous person including him is good at speaking.
I also realize that when in his presidency, slavery was not abolished yet. Seeing slavery with my own eyes is another reason for me to have dinner with Mr. Washington and also to avoid slavery systems from being formed again. Not every history event can be told thoroughly to future generations by language. Especially when viewing slavery that contains huge ruthlessness and sadness inside human beings, words cannot explain that well no matter how overall and comprehensive your logics and feelings are. Mr. Washington’s way of looking at slavery is also interesting to me. Such a great politician and president must have different and unusual insights about this “tradition-like” thing.
I hope the dinner is set at Mount Vernon where Mr. Washington’s home is at. His retirement from presidency is one of the most admirable things to me. There were so many heroes and leaders who won great wars and started a new kingdom before George Washington. However, not so many people were able to just leave all the honor and power behind when they didn’t have to. George Washington did it and laid a solid foundation for the U.S. government. I cannot imagine what this nation would become if George Washington treated the United States as his own kingdom. In addition, Mr. Washington’s home was far more attractive to him and I wondered what attracted him in his hometown. Maybe the dinner can be set outside of his house so I will talk to him and check the landscape around.
I will treat him as a normal person but a president. That way, I can look at him in the eye and tell him all the stories of America after he died. I’ll do my best telling him the importance of his story to the U.S. and the world. I hope we have a good dinner together.