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Break from the Grind December 14, 2010
TRIVIAL PURSUITS: Who Called Washington “First in War, First in Peace…”
December 14, 2010 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - George Washington was famously referred to as "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
Reported by Nevin E. Adams
Who coined that phrase, and on what occasion?
Answer: Henry Lee in George Washington’s eulogy
Washington’s friend Henry Lee (a.k.a. “Light Horse Harry” Lee of Revolutionary War fame) was selected by Congress to deliver a eulogy on behalf of the nation. Lee delivered the entire speech on December 26, 1799 (George Washington died on December 14 of that year).