Greatest Generation

[sawguy21]

Is he related to our fearless leader?

[pigman]

Every time I here the term “ Greatest Generation” my blood pressure rises several points.  In no way am I trying to take anything away from what individuals did during that generation. I think in every generation there are heroes and there are cowards, criminals and lazy bums.. You may wonder why I have this negative feeling about the term “Greatest Generation”. As a group, not as individuals, they were the ones in power in government that sent some of my generation off to a conflict and did everything not to support us. The civilians of that generation were in power in most large corporations and did nothing to stop the media from painting all of us as pot smoking baby killers. I know there were atrocities by soldiers in RVN, but I am sure there were no more than in any military conflict including WWll .
  I might be in what some call the “Hippie generation”, but I am proud of the way my generation has treated the soldiers in the last few military conflicts. A close friend of mine served in RVN when his local NG unit was called up. He stayed in the Guard and was called up again when the first Gulf War was starting. The night before he was to leave for training to be shipped to the Gulf, we had a going away party at his house. He called me aside and with tears streaming down his face,  asked  how I thought he would be treated when he got home. Here was this person with a beautiful wife of twenty years and a teenage daughter, not only concerned about leaving his family or getting killed, he was also worried about how he was going to treated on his return. I just told him I was not sure, but there was a different generation in power and I was sure we would not let the media attack the soldiers again. I was right, when the local media started headlining the soldiers as criminals instead of just being against the war which was there prerogative, the CEO of one of the largest corporations in town informed the paper that they could write what they wanted, but he could spend his advertising money where he wanted also. Can any of you imagine a movie star going to Osama Bin Laden and being filmed encouraging him to blow up more American soldiers and coming back to the USA and still being able to make movies.
I think every generation has heroes that go way beyond the call of duty and a few of them get metals for their efforts.. Also, there are a lot of heroes that get no recognition because there was no one around to witness there heroics.  Most soldiers I have observed just do their duty to the best of their abilities and get the job done.

What I am trying to say here is that there are a lot of great individuals, but I don’t think any generation can be call the greatest. Sure, some generations have suffered more than others, but suffering doesn’t make a person great, just tuff if they survive.

[Radar67]

Amen Bob!

[Norm]

Thank you Bob, very well said.

[SwampDonkey]

I am one person that doesn't restrict that "greatness" label to just the military. They certainly aren't excluded as I've had family members as young as 16 years old fighting wars. The merchant marine in the north Atlantic never got sweet all after the big one. As a matter of fact, we never had no draft when called upon to serve. But, I seem to recall a whole lot going on from the history books than wars over the last 300 years.  

[pigman]

I am one person that doesn't restrict that "greatness" label to just the military

I totally agree. There are great people that do great things in all walks of life.
 

[beenthere]

Also, proud to be an American, to which this video with Baxter Black speaks.

[CLL]

I think every generation has heroes and even though most have lost their lives in some sort of conflict, I respect all that have strived to make our country better. I must say though that I have still not forgot the treatment most Vietnam vets recieved and probably never will.

[chain]

The so- called 'Greatest Generation' was because of the Nation-wide war effort by nearly all Americans. Other wars, as like Korean Conflict, and 'Nam were divisional among Americans to say the least. Today, noone is drafted, noone has to serve their country/ what, less than 10% of Americans care enough to protect us?

[pineywoods]

I've helped lay 3 more of these veterans to rest in the last month. One of them was part of the paratroop unit that jumped behind enemy lines on D-day. I know of only 2 from this community still living.
The families of all 3 received an oiled walnut display case for the casket flag donated by  some forestry forum members.

[Norm]

May they rest in peace.

If your stash gets low Piney just let me know. I've got plenty.

[jim king]

I have nothing but respect for that generation.  I have had the privledge to know a few. In addition to the war the built a country.  I still have an aunt alive that served as a nurse in Europe.  What stikes me is they never talk about thier history and never complain about it.

[Raider Bill]

I've helped lay 3 more of these veterans to rest in the last month. One of them was part of the paratroop unit that jumped behind enemy lines on D-day. I know of only 2 from this community still living.
The families of all 3 received an oiled walnut display case for the casket flag from some forestry forum members.

I'd sure like to have one for my Dad's flag if theres one available to buy?

[Norm]

Bill it would be an honor to make one for your Dad. Let me finish up with harvest in a couple of weeks and I'll get it made.

[Raider Bill]

Thanks Norm. I didn't want to put his flag in a cheap knock off.

[submarinesailor]

May they rest in peace.

If your stash gets low Piney just let me know. I've got plenty.

Piney,

Ditto what Norm said.

Bruce

[Chris Burchfield]

Sorry for your loss.  I just don't think anyone has topped John Wyane's "America, Why I Love Her."