It began with a key.  A simple, iron key.  It is prodigious compared to the keys of today. Previously used to unlock massive doors in the "fortress of despotism," in 2004 I first saw it prominently displayed in the central passage of Mount Vernon.  I was flabbergasted. What in the world was the key to the Bastille doing there? It was a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette, who led the National Guard in storming the notorious prison at the beginning of the French Revolution.  "It is a tribute which I owe as a son to my adoptive father, as an aid de camp to my general, as a missionary of liberty to its patriarch."  Can you imagine the emotion George Washington must have felt as he held this key in his hand?  Received by the young Frenchman whom he considered as a son, whom was instrumental in America winning the American Revolution, President Washington was obviously moved.  He had it showcased in a lovely glass case, above a picture of the Bastille, in the central passage of his lovely home.  He meant for the numerous visitors to his estate to see this.  What would it have been like to have been one of those visitors, to discuss with George Washington the meaning behind that key?  Designed to open prison doors for political prisoners in France, it is now showcased as an end to tyranny and the beginning of liberty that first struck its spark in America, and spread to France, and later to the rest of the world, like wildfire.  Thus began my search to further understand the man behind the gift of the key, the Marquis de Lafayette.

     I was fascinated to learn that as a teenager, he volunteered to serve under General George Washington and that he expected no pay for himself.  In fact, he spent his own money to supply the men in his regiment.  He was instrumental in influencing France to supply America with money, food, ammunition and weapons and providing America with the French Army and Navy to secure victory at Yorktown and the successful end to the American Revolution.   

     I marveled that he was an ardent abolitionist. He quite openly worked to persuade his friends, Washington, Jefferson, and others, to free their slaves.  Even William Wilberforce, the man who drove the English Parliament to bring an end to the slave trade, met with Lafayette in his home.  Lafayette established on the French colony of Cayenne, today's French Guiana, a plantation where he attempted to bring freedom to slaves.  

     I was surprised to learn that the French flag we see today is attributed to Lafayette.

     I was touched when I learned that Lafayette fought for the freedoms of French Huguenots.  I am a descendant of French Huguenots. 

     I was terribly saddened when I read that Lafayette had died and was buried next to his wife in Paris. His grave was covered with soil from America. An American flag was posted at his grave. During World War II, even the Germans did not disturb his grave or the flag. 

     America in turn honored Lafayette when he died.  They mourned for 30 days and draped Congress in black. John Quincy Adams, known as Old Man Eloquent, gave a lengthy eulogy and encouraged making Lafayette's name known to future generations.  Towns, schools, counties, and streets across the country were named after him.  Probably each of us has a nearby location in memory of Lafayette. La Grange, Texas is located in Fayette County.   La Grange was the name of one of Lafayette's homes.  In a small Alsatian town not far from where we live, there is a street

 and a shop

that bears his name.  

     The other day some books about Lafayette arrived that I had ordered from Mount Vernon.  The kids were so excited, that they stopped their afternoon history reading to skim the books and look at all the pictures and captions with me.   We had so much fun catching tidbits of new information about Lafayette. 

     Then I got teary eyed.   When Lafayette was imprisioned during the French Revolution, President George Washington and Congress collected $24,424 that would have been equal to the pay Lafayette never received during the American Revolution, since he was a volunteer, to ransom his release from prison.  (Wow, what a George Bailey moment!) Actually, this was a drop in the bucket compared to the amount that Lafayette contributed to the American Revolution out of his own pocket. 

     However, I was most moved, when I read about World War I, where all of Europe was pulled into war.  France was houndered by Germany.  Eventually, America entered the war and arrived in force to the great hope of France.  After arriving in Paris, General Pershing and his aide, Col Stanton, visited Lafayette's grave, where Col Stanton declared, "Lafayette, we are here!" 

     If I had read that in isolation in a history book somewhere, and perhaps I have in my school past, it would have meant nothing to me.  Yet in context of having studied extensively Lafayette's contributions to American Independence, I was moved.  Every time I read a fascinating new fact about Lafayette, I excitedly tell my family.  When I built up the WWI story to my husband over dinner the other night, even he was moved emotionally by imagining the scene. 

     Our current school studies are moving us into the 1840's.  Sadly, this means we are leaving an era of our Founding Fathers and their contributions to American Independence.  If I understand correctly, from what I have read, even Lafayette is considered a Founding Father of America!   I have been saddened during our studies, after reading of the death of each one: Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, and now Lafayette.  My husband teases me about this, but he also smiles because he understands where I am coming from.  I have been powerfully moved by these men, who were Providentially used at their time in history, to set the ball of Independence in motion.  Of them all, Lafayette has intrigued me the most. 

     My husband sometimes talks of us visiting Europe someday.  If we ever do, I hope we can go to France.  There are many things I'd like to see there, but the first would be a stop by Lafayette's grave. If I ever get to go there, I know I will be completely moved as I reflect on his impact on the world.  I know that personally, I will never impact the world like he did.  Yet as a teacher, I have the opportunity to touch the future, to show others that their future is influenced by the past.  As I teach, I am impacted by what I myself have learned. I will never view French or American history the same way again. I will never think of Independence the same way again.  I will never look at a map, with Lafayette's name all over it, the same way again.  I will never see the American or the French flag the same way again.  And to think, it all began with...a key.