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Crossing the Delaware: Defense contractor funds GW re-enactment

George Washington brought along a tourist for his Christmas Day ride across the Delaware River this year, and technology manufacturer Lockheed Martin brought its checkbook.

After months of financial uncertainty, the 57th annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river -- the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War -- took place without problems Friday.

Thousands of spectators came out to hear Washington's stand-in deliver stirring words to the troops and watch three boats make the crossing from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. The role of Washington was played by John Godzieba, a Pennsylvanian who has been a re-enactor for 17 years.

It was the first time in three years that re-enactors were able to cross in boats. The past two years, the re-enactment was thwarted by bad weather and high water levels, which forced re-enactors to walk across a bridge.
Read entire article at AP