THEODORE ROOSEVELT

26th President of the United States of America

 

"The timid man, the lazy man, the man who distrusts his country, the over-civilized man, who has lost the great fighting, masterful virtues, the ignorant man, and the man of dull mind, whose soul is incapable of feeling the mighty lift that thrills "stern men with empires in their brains" - all these, of course, shrink from seeing the nation undertake its new duties; shrink from seeing us build a navy and an army adequate to our needs; shrink from seeing us do our share of the world's work, by bringing order out of chaos in the great, fair tropic islands from which the valor of our soldiers and sailors has driven the Spanish flag. "

 

Arguably America's first action-hero, TR's favorite proverb "Speak softly and carry a big stick" served his cause well. As lieutenant colonel of the Rough Rider Regiment, the man pretty much won the Spanish-American War. As President, this young buck (youngest President to date) spearheaded the building of the Panama Canal, 'Trust Busted' railroad monopolies, and won the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Russo-Japanese War, reaching a Gentleman's Agreement on immigration with Japan, and sending the Great White Fleet on a goodwill tour of the world.

An advocate for conservation, Roosevelt's presidency also heralded massive national forest reservation, assignment of lands for public use, and fostered great irrigation projects.

"The life of strenuous endeavor" was a must for those around him, and it was a tendency of his cabinet to insist on hiking and physical engagement which was extended even to foreign ambassadors who requested visitation.

For the MTV generation, just to put this guy in perspective:

Roosevelt's wife and mother died on the same day.

He spent his weekends hunting big game and his vacations on Safari.

Mo'fucka even once captured an outlaw in the Dakota Badlands.

Led the Rough Riders to victory over the Spanish.

Drank an entire gallon of coffee every single day.

Was shot in the chest during his second presidential campaign.

His reply to the shooting:

"No man has had a happier life than I have led; a happier life in every way

In short, this guy's life was a Jerry Bruckheimer movie.

And that makes him our very first Man of the Month.

 

C.H.