Father’s Day, with Love from “Baby Boomers” to “The Greatest Generation”
Jun 16th, 2007 | 2 responses
This came from The Chicago Tribune: Letters, Talk of the Town
“When my dad was a few chapters into “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw, he put it down, saying it had become repetitious. He then told me his generation didn’t do anything any other generation, given the same circumstances, wouldn’t have done.”
This from a Santa Fe friend
“My father is not a generation. He is from a clan. We are Santa Clara. He served in WWII. We do not call our elders ‘Greatest Generation.’ We call them our elders. I served in Nam. In The Veteran’s Dance that opens every pow-wow, my father and I move in the dance circle shoulder to shoulder. I am not a Baby Boomer. I am my father’s son.”
This, from another friend, San Luis Valley
“My dad is a rancher. He was in the Army during the war. He just got all these medals recently. They didn’t award medals to many Latinos in WWII. He says he’s not from “The Greatest Generation,” but the ‘Latest Generation,’ in term of his war medals coming so late, in terms of the government not recognizing him and his three brothers who served. I wrote the letters for my dad to get his medals. It took a long time. My dad says my generation should be called “Pride of Our Fathers.”
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2 Responses to “Father’s Day, with Love from “Baby Boomers” to “The Greatest Generation””
The naming thing can be a little ridiculous, but there is a deep-rooted need to do so in our society.
The three veterans you cite do have one thing in common that is emblematic of their generation: A profound modesty regarding their accomplishments and legacy. My father and uncle were that way and taught me much by what they didn’t say as much as what they did.
Shaun Mullen: That’s good: modesty.
I think the ‘old folks’ were a lot like the
‘young folks’ are now, not the ones you see ad infinitum on tv doing inane things, but those who are working, learning, going their way, wrestling with the hard parts… I think the modern equivalent I’ve heard most if praised too lavishly, even deservedly so, that is…. young men often say, Thanks. Im just a regular guy. I think there’s good psychological reason too for saying ‘the median’ rather than accepting a hero’s mantle… the times of heroism are often something that come upon one; they are for most of us, extraordinary states, rather than usual ones. The psyche appears to press to make room for a person not to be under the scrutiny of being pefect. There’s a saying amongst vets, Beware of the one who says he’s a hero.’ Wise, I think.