Due to the unfortunate turn of events on Christmas Day I was unable to properly thank all of you at the conclusion of our event over on the Jersey side. By the time our boatload returned to the visitor’s center, most of you had gone off to enjoy Christmas Day.

So I wanted to send each of you my most heartfelt thanks for making this year’s event a memorable one for me and thank you all for allowing me the opportunity of leading the event as General George Washington. Unlike my own kids who have videos, unlimited TV access, the internet and electronics galore, my generation played with toy soldiers and outside making up games till sundown or mom called us in for dinner. So I spent all my time reading my history books and nourishing a respect for our country’s founding fathers. Thus my hero became Washington. It is rare that someone gets to fill the shoes of their boyhood hero. Although we did not get to complete “our mission” due to Mother Nature, I still enjoyed the day as much as if we had disembarked from the boats on the Jersey shore. Every one of you represented General Washington’s Army and this event with the greatest honor. Thank you.

It is not often the event is held up due to the river’s conditions. However, the fact that each year we challenge the elements and sometimes they win only drives home to everyone involved and watching that this most incredible maneuver by Washington’s 2400 men was truly incredible. I sometimes think that because we cross each year many of us, as well as the spectators, take for granted the feat of great fortitude those men accomplished that snowy night.

So I for one, as I know many of you do, stop for a moment after one of these few failed crossings and humbly look upon that most decisive night back in 1776 with renewed respect for our country’s first army. I also walk away hoping that the spectators who learn history from us appreciate this point which we unwittingly drive home by not getting to the Jersey side. If so, our mission was a success.

Again, thanks to all for a wonderful event. I am truly honored to have taken part with all of you. Have a safe year and hope to see all of you again next year.

Ronald P. Rinaldi II