America ' s Next Greatest Generation

We have all heard the saying “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.  History proves this statement to be true, especially here in the good old USA. Several years back, Tom Brokaw wrote a book titled “The Greatest Generation”.  He tells the history of a generation faced with the Great Depression and, eventually, World War II.  Americans who came through this time were instrumental in building industry and spurring a surge in prosperity unseen before in the world. They faced hardships and challenges that no other generation since has been required to face.  If you speak to anyone from this time period of our nation’s history, you will learn of practicality, frugality, and a common sense perspective that keeps them grounded in the important things in life. They fought in a war “over there”.  They parachuted behind enemy lines. They fought in the trenches through all seasons and weather.  They stormed beaches and many never came back.  Great was their sacrifice.  Unimaginable was their family’s. Even in the depths of despair and economic failure, they came forward, eager to serve. While the soldiers were fighting, the folks back home geared up the machinery to keep the soldiers as prepared and protected as possible. War was known in generations prior.  War is known in generations since.  While all wars have not been “popular”, there is one thing common among them all – our government deemed it necessary.  Men and women of this country gave without reservation.  Some were drafted but, nonetheless, they went.  They faced whatever perils were in front of them.  Some faced perils they could not overcome.  In World War II alone, 418,500 Americans from towns and families all over this country did not come back alive. Consider the fact that our country was founded on a revolution.  Freedom is not free and to maintain it exacts a heavy toll.  Nonetheless, the price is paid.  Regardless of your political, religious or ethical point of view, knowing that regular people who are mostly strangers to us with the courage to face those who wish to do our country harm is an undisputable fact of humility and gratitude. But when you really think about it, these people are not strangers at all.  They are our neighbors, our friends and our relatives.  Even in the unlikely event that we do not know of anyone personally effected by war, all we need to do is look back at our own family heritage.  More often than not there will be an ancestor who answered the call.  We will find our heritage in that person who, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “gave the last full measure of devotion” in defense of this country and freedom. Since 2001 our country has been engaged in war and conflict around the world.  A new generation of young families and their children are sacrificing so that those of us who are not can still say we live in the greatest country on earth. There are children in school now that have not known a time without war.  They may not know the impact of September 11, 2001.  All they know is now. And now, a new generation of Americans is answering the call.  They are leaving their families for foreign countries to fight an enemy more difficult to locate and identify than previous ones.  The enemy does not wear uniforms.  They do not march in columns.  They hide in dark corners and in the midst of the defenseless.  What a daunting task it must be to fight this type of foe. But still, they go.  And we stay. We stay at home in a country that treasures freedom of speech and defends those who seek its protection, regardless of the message.  We stay in a country that welcomes diversity while others seek to eradicate differences.  We stay in a country that values the sanctity of the individual and affords the course of justice even to those whose actions have taken the spark of life from another. We can stay….because they go.  We, for and against alike, must never lose the truth of this fact. Without a doubt, I feel this group of young people defending our country is our next, greatest generation.  They honor those who served before them in every defense of freedom back to our country’s birth.  The choice of war is never a clear cut option.  Both sides usually have compelling rationale.  But always bear this in mind, we live in a country where this particular argument can take place, and we have our armed forces to thank for that. So, as we approach Memorial Day, remember the real reason for the holiday.  Say a word of thanks to any soldier you see.  Call a family with a loved one “over there” to let them know you care.  Let our newest Greatest Generation know we recognize them now, not years later.  Remember, we are all tied through history to each other.