OUR VIEW: World War II generation still merits admiration

11:15 PM, Dec. 7, 2013  |  Comments
  • Filed Under

More than 70 years ago, an attack on far-flung U.S. military bases changed the world forever.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Dec. 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy," and it has.

But in December 2013, the date also is a poignant reminder of the passing of what has been termed the "greatest generation."

Despite all the changes that have come to the world in 72 years, that the United States was able to lead the battles against tyrannies in Europe and in Asia remains astounding.

Men and women from every corner of the nation and from every segment of the population sacrificed their lives to guarantee that their fellow citizens continue to live in freedom.

Those on the home front also made sacrifices to ensure those in the fight that they would have every advantage, and those at home also had to deal with the loss of those who went to fight on foreign shores.

In a nation that today seems so divided on every political, social and cultural question, a country united in such a common purpose seems impossible.

World War II did not erase all differences in the United States, but the unity of purpose during the war challenged those differences and raised the expectations of those who thought they deserved more of what the nation could offer.

And it is not too late to celebrate all of those who served in World War II, such as William Haynes, 92, of Eagleville, who witnessed the Pearl Harbor attack and all of those who sacrificed to help them serve.

Pearl Harbor continues to be a memorial to those who died in that surprise attack on a December day. Each year fewer who witnessed those attacks, however, are able to attend commemorations of those events.

Those commemorations should continue in Hawaii and around the country as a lasting tribute for the courage of that day and the days that followed.

Perhaps the greatest tribute for those who lived and died to preserve this country from international threats during World War II would be again to find common cause that respects the differences that should not splinter this country but only make it stronger.

While some fear that potential enemies again will misjudge the ability of the United States to respond to a surprise attack in some modern form, the lesson of Pearl Harbor should be that nothing can defeat this nation united.

Real Deals





Sign up for access today!

Event Calendar


