Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Texas during 1890. He was brought up in Abilene, Kansas. He was the third of seven sons. His family was extremely poor and they lost their family farm in Kansas before Dwight was a teenager.

Eisenhower fondly remembered those early days and the life lessons learned. He specifically recalled a family night where they were playing cards:

“Now, don’t get me wrong,” said the former president, “it was not with those cards that have kings, queens, jacks, and spades on them. Mother was too strait-laced for that.” President Eisenhower said the game they were playing was called Flinch.

“Anyway, Mother was the dealer, and she dealt me a very bad hand. I began to complain. Mother said, ‘Boys, put down your cards. I want to say something, particularly to Dwight. You are in a game in your home with your mother and brothers who love you. But out in the world you will be dealt bad hands without love. Here is some advice for you boys. Take those bad hands without complaining and play them out. Ask God to help you, and you will win the important game called life.”

The president added, “I’ve tried to follow that wise advice always.”