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Nation could use a unified effort like that of the Greatest Generation
Firefighters lower a 60-foot-by-100-foot flag after a Heroes Parade in downtown Las Vegas on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. The event began at 5:46 a.m., the moment the first tower of the World Trade Center was hit by terrorists on 9/11.
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 | 2 a.m.
What do you think?
Send your thoughts in a letter — no more than 250 words. Include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be considered. E-mail: letters@lasvegassun.com.Today is the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which stunned the nation and drew the United States into World War II. Across the country, events will commemorate the day, and that is important given that the country is more than a generation removed from the attack, and there are few people who remember it.
Fewer than 1 in 10 Americans living today were alive in 1941, and just 2 in 100 Americans would have been old enough to serve in World War II.
The group of Americans that fought the war and went on to build modern America, dubbed the Greatest Generation, has largely faded away and has taken its place in history. That generation’s role in shaping this country can’t be overstated. It transformed the nation, pushing the United States into a position of prominence internationally.
As we look back and remember Pearl Harbor and honor the sacrifices of those who died, were wounded and fought on that day — as well as those who fought in World War II — we can’t forget the sacrifices of the entire nation.
After Pearl Harbor, the country staged a unified and prolonged war effort. Everyone sacrificed. Food, fuel and goods were rationed to support the war. People planted “victory gardens” to increase the food supply.
Such an effort hasn’t been matched, and it arguably hasn’t been needed, since then. But what’s noticeably absent today is any larger sense of sacrifice.
A decade ago, the 9/11 attacks seared current generations of Americans, rallying the nation together. Like Pearl Harbor, America embarked on a war. Although it is a very different type of war — it blurs national lines and runs along ideology — it is arguably far more dangerous because there aren’t clear battle lines, nor are there clearly defined enemies.
However, Americans have far less direct involvement in the war effort than they did during World War II. In World War II, there was a military draft. Today, the military is an all-volunteer force, and only a tiny percentage of Americans have actually fought overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan, much less been in the service.
And the sacrifices of scrimping and saving to pay for the war effort? Americans haven’t been asked to sacrifice this time. Instead, the war on terrorism has been added to the nation’s debt.
As well, the sense of unity that once existed in the days and weeks after the 9/11 attacks is long since a memory. It has been replaced by partisan bickering and ideological divides that have done little to solve the nation’s problems.
Each generation has its own challenges and problems to face, and each generation leaves its own legacy. If there’s a lesson to be learned from the Greatest Generation, it’s that Americans hung together in a difficult time, sacrificed and made the United States and the world a better place.
We can honor that generation by emulating it today.
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There is no doubt that the World War II generation of our country were gallant fighters. There is no doubt that the majority of Americans were focused on overcoming the plight of our country during some of our worst and most trying times. But, to herald them as the "Greatest Generation"? Absolutely no way.
Are we forgetting that this World War II generation took families of Japanese ancestry here in this country and placed them in concentration camps that were styled in a candy-coated manner as, "holding camps"? All this while the imprisoned families lost their heads of household to overseas fighting that was for the survival of this, their adopted country? Are we forgetting the extreme social prejudices towards minorities by this so-called "Greatest Generation" that have left, still to this day, huge social and racial differences that will probably never be forgiven, much less smoothed over and or rectified? Are we forgetting that this so-called "Greatest Generation" lead us down a path of financial destruction by attempting to politically conquer the world by bribing underdeveloped or developing nations through enormous amounts of U.S. dollars in foreign aid? Couple this with presidents from the World War II generation that got our country involved in wars that should have never been fought, i.e. Korea and Vietnam.
Do you still feel at this point, all warm and fuzzy about this so-called "Greatest Generation?
If so, then let me continue on. Remember that some of our most tragic assassinations, those of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, took place on their watch. At the time that most government and businesses were in the control of the so-called, "Greatest Generation", there was also the specter of McCarthyism, civil rights confrontations and foreign policy decisions, such as Reagan's intended destruction of the then Soviet Union, all of which have had severe and lingering consequences.
The "Baby Boomer" generation sprang from the so-called "Greatest Generation" who oblivious of future problems raised their children with the idea that acquisition and greed are virtues, but not always instilling the value of hard work in achieving their goals. The mismanagement by government under the so-called "Greatest Generation", allowed monies to be "borrowed" from Social Security which puts future generations, starting with their own children, in jeopardy.
In closing, by commemorating this anniversary of the date of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I am neither stupid nor naive enough to believe the propaganda of this article that the World War II generation is the "Greatest Generation". However, on this ceremonious day, I view this as another time to devote my most heartfelt thoughts to the American soldiers and families of the World War II generation that gave of themselves for the country they loved so much.
We need unification but the only way to get that may be another civil war. The racist right seems willing to destroy our country rather than let a Black man sit in the Oval Office. This brings back the days when my ancestors beat back the southern confederate traitors. It was only at the end of a gun the racists in the south learned their lesson. I hope we don't have to go back to that chapter of our country in order to save our union from the teabaggers.
Bradley makes some good points but his sense of history and lessons learned are wrong. For instance, monies were "borrowed" from social security before WWII began. The efforts of Senator McCarthy have been so distorted as to make the truth a book length issue. Even more recent events such as the fall of the soviet union are misrepresented. Nothing much in the ethical department has really changed. Parents still want their children to do and be better than they are.
What has changed is the idea of entitlement and dependency on the government. Welfare has done much to destroy the poor family and there is a loss of the sense of responsiblity. These are correctable, but only if the current administration is forced from office and is not replaced by another big government administrator.
SUN......Very good editorial.
Today, Bill Clinton said that Democrats and
Republicans need to work together to save our
economy.
President Obama said the same thing.
Well Republicans?
It's time to man up.
Remembering Pearl Harbor and that 'A Date Which Will Live in Infamy' are quite different from celebrating who we would deem as the "Greatest Generation." Mr.Chapline presents an excellent rebuttal that most certainly challenges the idea of labeling those during that time period as being the "Greatest Generation."
It is important to separate Pearl Harbor from the article and simply bring folks into a heartfelt, solemn, thoughtful remembrance, and respect for those who sacrificed.
There is no doubt, that since that time period, some of the greatest changes have taken place, as the Civil Rights Movement and major technological advances and inventions. It was a time of change that profoundly had affected the future, of which we now live.
Blessings and Peace,
Star
Thank you "Star" for your words of support in the comments I made above. I'm extremely sensitive to every soldier and sailor who has not only served their country, but especially to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. For, their service should be something all Americans honor.
I described in my comments above occurrences which tainted this World War II generation. It was extremely important for me to separate these soldiers and sailors of absolute valor from those who took our country astray from the principles and morals that our Constitution guarantees each citizen worthy of in this country.
Again, on this day after the Pearl Harbor anniversary, we are informed of more violations of human decency. Staff at the Dover Air Force base taking remains of some our fallen soldiers and dumping their body parts into a local landfill. I can't even believe this, Star.
On the other hand, I guess maybe I shouldn't be shocked after such circumstances at the Arlington National Cemetery where remains were not marked appropriately. There seems to be little respect for fallen service members when there is no ceremonial or political focus on the event.
Star, even though we have disagreed on other issues, I now know you are a person whose heart is in the right place. My respect for you will be eternal. Peace and blessings to you.
I agree with Star and others that have posted on this editorial.
My father was in the Battle of the Bulge and wounded in Germany in WWII, my Uncle served with Patton in Africa. I was a Vietnam era veteran. My sons have both served, more recently. I have to agree that we honor those who served, and we can deplore the actions of those in power that were less than honorable.
I do not think that today's elected Representatives in DC are any better. There are many back there who would not withstand close scrutiny, and there is still enough bias and hypocrisy to go around back there.
The rest of us just need to take a deep breath and remember our own values and try to live good lives that will leave people with good memories.
Are you kidding me? These Occupy communists simply want to overthrow the government. They have no respect for the price our soldiers paid in any war, so how can you expect them to pitch in a do the right thing for this country?
Hey Brad, if not for those who put their lives on the line, you might be speaking Japanese today. Me? I'd long be dead, since the Nazis would have killed me simply for being Jewish along with every Homosexual, mentally or physically handicapped person and countless more. Wise up, Brad! Count your blessings and show a little respect to those who bled and/or died so folks such as yourself could disparage them while living in a free society. As for getting together? It's not going to happen so long as we have so many blame-America-for-everything-bad-that-happens-in-the-world turkey's living in this nation.
In reply to Mr. Fink's complete misconceptions of my comments above; <Laughing>