I just finished reading Tom Brokaw's book "The Greatest Generation." I do have to agree with him and his assertion that this generation truly is the greatest that our country has produced thus far. In the book, he talks about how the great depression and the sacrifices made during that time, helped mold and prepare them for what they faced next, World War II.
The sacrifices made by this generation have far exceeded those made by the successive generations. When the war started, everyone wanted to do their part. Recruiting offices were flooded, women filled roles traditionally held by men, everyone made a sacrifice. These volunteers included those from all classes, including Hollywood actors like Audie Murphy, people from well off families, and others. While they could have stayed here in the states, they felt a sense of duty and chose to serve. How many actors and others have stepped up to the plate today? I had the opportunity to meet a lady who was in the WASPS and flew airplanes during WWII shuttling new planes around and flying old ones to the scrap yard. She told me a story where on one flight she was taking an old plane to the junkyard and crash landed it into a field. It was fascinating to hear her experiences.
Our service members spent years apart from their spouses with only intermittent letters and telegrams updating them on life back here and what things were like over there. I mean nowadays we can't even get our diplomats to serve in places where they are so desperately needed, without making a big stink. And now we have cities like Berkeley, California trying to ban our U.S. Marine Corps recruiters from opening offices and liken them to "unwelcome intruders" How in the hell can you call our men and women that protect the freedoms that we enjoy we enjoy intruders in their own country.
I am not saying that there aren't heroes and people in our time who have answered the call to duty, but I do believe that Western society as a whole has become softer. People aren't willing to make the sacrifices that many made back then.
World War II veterans are dying at alarming rate, about 1000 a day. So the next time you see one of these heroes, please thank them for their service.
