In July of 1755, Colonel George Washington fought alongside more than 1300 men in a battle to run the French out of Fort Duquesne. It was a bitter battle with French soldiers and Native American warriors pounding the American troops with constant fire. After the battle, Washington discovered four bullet holes in his jacket. Strangely, he was unharmed. He attributed his escape to the prayers of his devout mother.

Many years later, when Washington was again visiting Fort Duquesne, he met with a band of Native Americans who had fought against him in that battle. The chief told Washington that he knew the Great Spirit was protecting Washington those many years ago. The chief had instructed his best marksmen to shoot at Washington. Each man took deadly aim, yet Washington escaped without even a scratch. That day, the chief had predicted that Washington would someday serve as a great leader and the “founder of a mighty empire,” because God seemed to be protecting him.