Hi, Linda at LDKT and Angela at MYLINE! I second Mr. Johnson's comments. We do have much for which to be grateful, those of us blessed to be born and live in this country -- not the least of them individuals like Mr. Johnson, who was willing to put on a uniform and stand up for the rest of us. Your intentions in sharing with all of us President Washington's sentiments were heartfelt and generous. Your hesitation, if I interpret correctly, was based on the references to a Supreme Being. Occasionally in cyberspace, flurries of messages do fly back and forth objecting to religious references on genealogy and other lists. Almost always, however, I've noticed that the missives drawing objections are restrictive in their interpretation of God. President Washington was not. No sect, no denomination, no creed, no specific path is singled out, in keeping with our Founder's beliefs that there is Something much greater than we are, yet that we each have a right to seek truth and worship (or not do so) in our own way. Yes, some of us Americans may be atheists, too. But I would be surprised if many people took umbrage at a prayer so non-sectarian and -- dare I say it -- tolerant. We could do both with more tolerance and a greater acknowledgement of just how fortunate we are. Happy holidays and a peaceful new millenium to all, Sandy