Along with President George H. W. Bush and a few remaining WW2 Veterans, there will soon be no more of the generation that had the courage to survive the great Depression and fight in WW2 and Korea, both in the Conflict and on the Home Front. After WW2, the Baby Boomers are living a life free from Economic Depression and War, and now they are also getting along in years. But now we have the Millennials, who will assure us that our way of life will be protected by their Recreational Pot and their Apple Watches! Hal
“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” - John F. Kennedy “And the beat goes on...” - Sonny Bono
Same here in the UK... I thank God that I've never known any great war in this country while I've been alive, and I hope to god there's not one in my now 42 year old daughter's life either..
Did someone say Vietnam? & it was us Boomers who started the drugs thingy. Give credit where credit is due!
Please do think about it for a moment or two @Hal Pollner. What has the newest generation have to look forward to? The constant threat of nuclear war. A nation that is so far in debt because of lousy trading and wars that we stick our noses into. An educational system that doesn’t teach anything. More ideal ways of killing other people based on technology. A full blown drug epidemic stemming from the 60’s. Waiting for grandpa to die just so he won’t be bothered anymore by PTSD from Vietnam. An average of 22 veteran suicides a day. Gender reassignment. A social security system that they will probably never partake of because the baby boomers spent it. A trillion dollar + space program that doesn’t do anything other than throwing up telecommunications into space. Note: They’ll be paying for rockets going through the galaxy until their generation is long gone. Nuclear waste. Oceans and waterways full of junk. Smog. And yes, the beat does indeed go on............... Yup, we’re leaving a true legacy of wonders and stuff that make life so simple. By the bye, Although I know that there are those who do not grasp some good technological advances, I happen to like my Apple Watch!
When I saw Bob Dole stand and salute at Bush's funeral I had tears in my eyes but I also have great faith in the generation that are my grandsons. Yes, there are some losers but I think for the most part they are a promising generation. They don't have an easy road, competition is fierce to just get into a college. A 4.0 alone wouldn't get you into Cal Poly, you need a lot more going on. I see these college kids and they are all good kids, so yes..I see a bright future if the world doesn't mess up too much anymore. Their world is harder than ours was...not talking physically. I also think each generation has greatness and losers. Were we so great, lol? Sex, drugs, rock and roll....free love, Woodstock etc Of course I was an angel but I'm talking about others in my generation. I also envy them somewhat because I'll not get to see where technology will go....the last 30 years have been amazing and unimaginable to me as a teen. Can't imagine the future but I think it will be AWESOME.
I think most of our age group in the UK will be eternally grateful to America for our great music filled youth, from Elvis, Buddy, the Bobbies, Gene and Eddie, Mamas and Papas, Beach Boys...etc I could go on all day.
Mutual Admiration Society, Harley. Grateful (eternally!) for the Beatles, Led Zepplin, Stones, et al; the British Invasion. Of course, they admitted they couldn't accomplish what they did without Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, etc. eta--never heard of the Bobbies or Gene and Eddie. Enlighten me, please.
There was Bobby Vee, Bobby Rydell, Bobby Vinton, Bobby Darin and probably more Lulu. Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran. I think most of the British artists were influenced by Americans and many British hits were covers of American originals.
The "greatest generation" that served in WW2 on the Battle Front as well as on the Home Front were known as "GI Joe" and "Rosie the Riveter". If history were repeated, involving America in another global war, do you think the Millennials would be equally up to the sacrifice? What about the Baby Boomers? Hal
@Hal Pollner Given the extent and pervasiveness of the Politically Correct now, I opine there would be far more Conscientious Objectors than in the past. Frank
Well, the Baby Boomers would be too old. Not sure if I believe anyone in the present time would be as gung-ho as the Greatest Generation was. Although in reading about that time, USA citizens were content to stay out of WWII until Pearl Harbor. So if the Japanese had not bombed us, we might have never joined the fray.
@Beth Gallagher Rest assured, FDR would likely have found another way to enter the fray. Remember, that final act (of entering the war) was the sure-fire clincher propelling us out of the Depression! Frank
I think being more politically aware and globally conscious, current generations may be less likely to blindly jump in. However, like after 9/11, I'm quite sure most Americans would step up if they really were convinced their country or way of life was at a serious threat level. Our past time is poking at politicians and our government, but in our hearts, we know who we are and we'll fight to keep it.