The greatest place

It’s the land where Washington flourished as a youth.

He threw the dollar across the Rappahannock there.

He chopped down that mythical cherry tree behind my house in Ferry Farm.

It’s the land where Madison practiced law.

The area where Stonewall said that he crossed the river and rested on the other side.

It’s the location of Mary’s Heights where one can still feel the soldiers who died.


It’s also the place of modern day commoners who achieved greatness in their own way.

It’s the home of Herron, who helped create the Aegis shield.

The home of Edson, who amassed a great fortune in oil.

The place where McConnell achieved greatness in the application of quality control on divergent software.

Where the Farmer applied his extensive technical skills to computer security.

And Beland, who furthered the struggle for women’s rights in an alien workplace.

And, of course, Swink Christian, who developed the internet along with Al Gore.


It’s a place of greatness.

Where the sand reaches up from the river and turns to clay.
Where the soldiers became heroes.
Where the commoners rose up and said,
“Hey, I can make a difference.”