Another Greatest Generation

Throughout our history America has had many "greatest" generations. It is hard to think of a generation greater than America's first, the Founding Fathers who defeated the most formidable military power of the time and founded the greatest country in history. Lincoln's generation fought the bloody Civil War to end slavery and preserve the Union. Tom Brokaw's book made a case for the WWII generation who grew up during the Great Depression and saved the world from the Nazis and Japanese.

Every family has at least one member who fought in that war. My Father invaded Germany with the tank corps, Lee's Dad died in the Pacific theater.

Good friend Dave writes movingly of his father who passed away last week: He was a great American, and I’ve no doubt told you his life story before: he was orphaned when he was six years old, ran away from the orphanage and lived on the streets of NYC for a while until he pulled himself up by the bootstraps and made something of himself, working for the New York Daily News newspaper for 50 years, starting as a copy boy and retiring as a senior executive. Of course the thing I’m most proud of is that he, being one of the Greatest Generation, helped make the world safe for Democracy for all of us. He was on PT Boats for 4 years for WW II – first in the Mediterranean against Nazi Germany and then in the South Pacific against Imperial Japan. He not only received four Purple Heart medals for serious wounds he suffered in combat, but for gallantry in action he was also awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. He and my Mom were married for 52 years. He was a great Husband to my Mother, a great Father to all of us kids and a truly great man.

We Americans owe Dave's father, Lee's father, my father and all the others of the greatest generation so much.

Now we are blessed with another great generation that is fighting and dying to preserve our liberty. Dave himself is a special forces officer who has already served bravely in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is preparing to leave his wife and three sons again for another tour of combat. I am grateful for his service.

Good friends Joan and Bob miss their son Rob serving a second tour in Iraq. Captain Rob writes: Since the elections it has been quieter here at Balad AB. Haji doesn't seem to think we are such a worthy target anymore, although he is still pretty active in the rest of the country. The good news is progress is being made faster than they can disrupt it. Most of the people are on the side of progress and there have been a few reports of "lynch mobs" attacking terrorist cells in their towns. Rob is a wonderful young man and I am grateful for his service.

Our Grandson Johnny has done a tour of duty in Iraq with the Army 82nd Airborne. He is home now but preparing to return to Iraq. I am grateful for his service and know our Daughter Carolynne worries about him terribly.

God bless our brave troops. They are the greatest!