Salute Ladies and Gentlemen!
December 7, 1941 was 79 years ago. A twenty-year-old at the time would be 99 today, almost a centenarian. My father is 98 and not likely to see 2021.
We live in a technological age, and despite the pandemic it is relatively easy living for many. No one is asking our youth to go to foreign lands with the likelihood of not returning.
If the Twentieth Century has taught us anything, it is that youth has stood up repeatedly despite the dithering of politicians. Many of this century’s young warfighters continue this proud tradition of defending our nation and our freedoms.
Born at the dawn of the last century, this generation saw the Great Depression and volunteered for the (hopefully) final global conflict; World War II. Since Pearl Harbor, our world has changed dramatically and quickly.
They saw the transformation of the United States into a global Super Power and slogged through some 45 years of the Cold War. China moved from the backward nation occupied by Japan to its current position.
The (possible) Chinese saying/curse, “May You Live In Interesting Times” applies to this selfless generation who laid the ground work for our modern world. On way they invented the transistor in 1947—the foundation of our “Smart Technologies.”
As they pass from the scene, in the words of Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.”
We must pick up their gauntlet. In one sense it is a heavy lift; however, those who came before us have lightened our load.
What Are You Doing to Make Your Parents and Grandparents Proud?
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