Dwight D Eisenhower

Choosing a favorite President is quite an arduous task
Given that most politicians usually wear a spurious mask,
but as a student of History, there was one that I admired;
" the scrappy kid from Kansas."* So many he has inspired.

In his biography there's a plethora of interesting information.
'Ike" was a 5 star general, besides leading this great nation.
A war hero, selected to be America's Commander and Chief.
A man of great integrity, who did not cause his country grief.

In his honor, a Washington Memorial was dedicated.
His bravery in war, and acts as President are celebrated.
After the war, he commanded European NATO forces
and overthrew communism from it's evil courses.

Voted U. S. President in 1952, with the slogan, "I Like Ike,"
Richard Nixon was his running mate; they were nothing alike.
In two terms served, he created a grand legacy for his name.
A President for the people, to him the office was not a game.

There are many valuable quotes that Eisenhower left behind
and I'll end with a few that I feel worthy for us to keep in mind; 
none more appropriate than this one, I was happy to find...

"Some day there is going to be a man sitting in my present chair who has not been raised in the military services and who will have little understanding of where slashes in their estimates can be made with little or no damage. If that should happen while we still have the state of tension that now exists in the world, I shudder to think of what could happen in this country."

"The middle of the road is all of the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters."

"Leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well."

"If a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a cause that is right and that is moral, then it is not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power."


February 11, 2021
Your Favorite President Contest
Sponsored by:  L Milton Hankins
*Inscribed on the Eisenhower Memorial
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Legros Kelley Avatar
February 22, 2021 at 10:34 AM
Wow, a great write, this is fantastic. Very well written and educational. Congratulations!
Radhakrishna Avatar
February 21, 2021 at 11:59 AM
Lovely work Jenna! your poem is beautifully done! He was indeed a great president of post war US, and had to deal with the Cold war with Russia! Congrats on your win!
Hankins Avatar
February 21, 2021 at 11:12 AM
Jenna, this was outstanding work. I appreciate your entering my contest so much and am happy you came into the top selections!
La France Avatar
February 21, 2021 at 10:40 AM
Jenna, oh you penned a great poem for the contest, you made a wonderful choice of fav president and congratulations on your win, well done _Constance
Koplin Avatar
February 13, 2021 at 11:14 AM
"The middle of the road is all of the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters." I like this one!
Logan Avatar
February 14, 2021 at 2:12 AM
It's certainly proved true lately. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Fowler Avatar
February 13, 2021 at 6:28 AM
Very nicely presented rhyme Jenna. It's also a great entry! GL in the contest! Linda
Logan Avatar
February 14, 2021 at 2:11 AM
Thank you very much, Linda.
Rodrigues Avatar
February 12, 2021 at 11:38 AM
Many forget they are “servants of the people.” They forget the people and aim arrows at one another. We are forgotten.
Logan Avatar
February 14, 2021 at 2:11 AM
You're right, Kim. Politicians are a haughty bunch.
Buhagiar Avatar
February 12, 2021 at 2:00 AM
You will probably have made a good choice. Most of the last presidents were hopeless. ~~
Logan Avatar
February 12, 2021 at 4:33 AM
You are 100% correct, Victor. Thanks for reading me and leaving your thoughts.
Cunningham Avatar
February 11, 2021 at 2:23 PM
A glowing tribute to a great man Jenna, I'd heard of him but knew little of him until now. You've written this so well, love historical poetry, love the challenge, getting all the facts, names, places, events etc. Best of luck in the contest. Tom
Logan Avatar
February 11, 2021 at 6:06 PM
In my research, Tom, I found so many admirable traits in this man. To have someone like him in office again after the last four years would truly make America great again. Thank you for appreciating my tribute to Eisenhower.
Devonshire Avatar
February 11, 2021 at 1:17 PM
Jenna, this is far more than I ever knew about Eisenhower. I'm sure he was before your time too, so you may have heard your parents and grandparents sing Ike's praises. I love history poems and this goes to my faves. Best wishes in the contest! Hugs, Carolyn
Logan Avatar
February 11, 2021 at 1:23 PM
Hi, Carolyn. I didn't intend to enter this contest for so few politicians seem worthy of being a 'favorite.' After a little research of only 2 term presidents, I thought Eisenhower was worthy of a tribute, and THEN I read his quotes! That sealed him as my choice. Thanks so much for visiting my poetry, and marking this one as a favorite.
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