While searching the internet for things to do in my local area to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, I came across the official trailer for the movie Young Washington premiering at local theaters. That trailer captured my attention because the movie was based on an event that I had written about five years earlier ? the Battle of Fort Necessity. One of the Virginia militiamen serving under Colonel Washington's command was Robert Bell, Sr. The one thing that Elvis Presley and I have in common with our great grandfather is our military service. If asked about his own military service, Elvis might say "Just following in grandpa's footsteps." For his service in the U.S. Army, Elvis earned respect from many of the critics who fiercely condemned him during the early years of his career. Elvis transformed from a rebel persona like James Dean into a patriotic establishment figure like John Wayne.
