La Fayette "The Lost Hero" Mystery Cache

An easy solve on site Puzzle cache. Cache is not at the listed coordinates.

You've probably heard the name, "Lafayette". There are several streets, parks, businesses and over 50 cities and towns named after him, but what do you know about him?

Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier or better known as The Marquis de Lafayette was a true French aristocrat. His father had been killed in military combat before Lafayette had reached the age of two. Tragically his mother also died before he was thirteen and his Grandfather died two weeks later. Thus Lafayette became a wealthy orphan while barely a teenager. While attending a dinner party around his eighteenth birthday, he heard of the American’s fight for freedom. He was so impressed with the Americans and the idea of liberty that he was resolved from that day to somehow become a part of it. He later wrote "From the moment I heard the name, America, I burned with desire to spill my blood for her". Within a short time he had purchased his own ship and paid for his own crew and was on his way to America. Congress was amazed when this boyish 19 year old French aristocrat presented himself and offered to serve in Washington’s army without pay.

From the moment Lafayette first appeared in Washington’s camp in August 1777, the General and the French youth were drawn to one another. Lafayette seemed to become for Washington the son he never had, and Washington became as the Father Lafayette had never known. Washington once remarked of Lafayette “I do not know a more noble soul, more honest, and I love him as my own son.” When French officials at Versailles hesitated to become open allies with the infant United States, Lafayette helped convince them that they should send a major force to help the Americans. Lafayette was wounded in his first battle at Brandywine and didn't even realize it until his boot filled with blood. He went on to fight in several major battles including the Battle of Rhode Island. He and his troops helped pin British General Cornwallis at Yorktown where they waited for Washington to arrive so he could deliver the crushing blow.

Lafayette and Washington-the beloved orphan “son” and the loving “father”-remained close friends until the end of Washington’s life. When Lafayette returned to America on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence he was greeted by massive crowds as he visited each of the then 24 states. He made a special visit to Mt. Vernon to pay his respects at Washington's tomb, where he reached down to retrieve a handful of soil to bring back to France. Upon his death 8 years later Lafayette's son, George Washington Lafayette carried out his father's last wish and the spread the soil taken from Mt. Vernon on top of his father's grave.