Even more basically, some of us believe that a sense of history, and a consciousness of participation in history, is a basic human need. Now there are, of course, different kinds of basic human needs—there are the powerful and elemental forces of life and the preservation and continuation of life; instincts and drives relating to food, shelter, sex, parenthood and survival. Then there are the other, more social, needs—as for recreation, privacy, living space, and the like. It is in this latter category that I would place the need for a sense of history. Aside from the memory aspect, to which I have already alluded, there is an enrichment and humanizing effect on peoples’ lives resulting from a consciousness of making history as they vote in an election, testify at a local hearing, help create a local institution, or work at responsible jobs. Essential to this enrichment is some kind of prior realization of what history is, and how these personal activities can contribute to it. What I have been saying so far has all been rather theoretical and ethereal. I believe it is probably time for me to come down to earth with some practical uses of history, as I see them, and as I have personally experienced them. First let me say a few words about how the use of history can be directly relevant to Loudoun County. Before going further I should explain to you that, even though I am not a resident, I am no stranger to the County or to Leesburg. For about twenty years the Dupuys have been property-owners in Loudoun County. As my father used to comment, we are thus modern recruits of the Army of Northern Virginia. My wife and I even have plans for a house which we someday expect to build on our property on the banks of Goose Creek. So I know something about the county, and something about its history. Not enough to discuss in any detail with _this_ group—but enough to know that it is an appropriate place to settle for one who (like myself) has forebears who fought on both sides in the Civil War (a conflict which, as most of you know, my friends, Pat Andrews, always refers to as the War of Northern Aggression; I won’t bother you with the details of my many Civil War controversies with Pat; I’ll simply mention the fact that our principal dispute centers over the question whether McClellan was a greater detriment to the Union cause than Braxton Bragg was to that of the Confederacy.) To return to history and Loudoun County. A number among you know my father—who is still at heart a recruit in the Army of Northern Virginia, and who left Loudoun County only because of pressure on him from those of the family who felt that his age and health required a less rigorous life and a more accessible home than conditions permitted in their isolated house on Goose Creek. While he lived here, he took the time to immerse himself in Loudoun County History; in fact, he probably should be talking to you tonight instead of me.