5 hours agoHegseth says George Washington ‘did not lose faith’ at Valley Forge, performed a ‘profound act’
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth retold a story of George Washington at Valley Forge during the Rededicate 250 event on Sunday.
Hegseth, appearing in a prerecorded video message, said Washington and his troops faced cold and starvation as the future of American independence appeared grim when they took refuge at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777.
As men began to desert, Washington wrote to Congress asking for help, writing that the army may starve, dissolve or disperse, according to Hegseth. But Congress could offer little help at that time.
Even Washington’s pastor had lost faith, according to Hegseth, writing to the general that he should surrender and ask forgiveness from the British king.
“But George Washington did not lose faith,” Hegseth said. “We know the painting of him at Valley Forge. One hangs in my office. Kneeling in the deep snow, his hat and sword nearby, Washington bows his head amid all the bleak nights, the loss and despair, the lack of proper support, George Washington performed a profound act. He prayed.”
Hegseth called on those in attendance to follow George Washington’s example.
“Let us pray as he did. Let us pray without ceasing. Let us pray for our nation on bended knee. And let us ask our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as Washington did on that momentous day,” Hegseth said.