Monday, May 25, 2009- Memorial Day
The Luckiest Generation
The generation of men and women who experienced The Great Depression as children, went on to fight in World War II, and then came home to rebuild America after that war, has often been referred to as the Greatest Generation. No one can argue that the contribution and sacrifice this generation made for their offspring was tremendous. That being said, the generation that comprises the Wahey Boys, sometimes called Generation Jones, I like to call the Luckiest Generation.
For most of us lucky ones, our grandfathers fought in World War II and our fathers fought in Korea, and WE narrowly missed Vietnam. By narrowly missing the Vietnam War, I mean that prior to 1975 all young men were required to “register” for the Selective Service or “draft” which for us meant going to Southeast Asia and probably not coming home. All wars are scary but beginning with the Korean War and particularly with Vietnam, there was much confusion as to why we were fighting and whether we could win. The World War II generation had impressed upon their sons that it was their duty to fight in Korea, whereas our fathers were a little less forthcoming about having their sons go to Vietnam. They knew all too well the kind of war Vietnam was. I remember my father having a great weight lifted from his soldiers when the Selective Service ended. I can distinctly remember being aware of having to go to war, but not being mature enough at the time to realize the seriousness of it. I often think how horrible it must have been for those who went before me, entering the Vietnam War, without a clue as to what was happening. How quickly they were forced to grow up.
Just to show you how lucky we were, President Gerald Ford eliminated draft registration for ages 18 to 25 in 1975, just before our age group would begin turning 18. Then, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter, reinstated the registration requirement, excepting that only men born between March 29, 1957, and December 31, 1959, were completely exempt from Selective Service registration, and that was us.
Of course, as relieved as our fathers were at this turn of fate, we were oblivious. It has taken us a long time to grow up to realize how lucky we are. Now our sons and even daughters are faced with the possibility of going to Iraq and even though it is by choice now, it is not a choice us lucky ones have to make. It seems that war skipped our generation.
Today, Memorial Day, I will visit my grandfather’s grave to thank him and I will call my father to thank him too, and I will watch some aging veterans place wreaths on war memorials, and I will go to the parade and I will think about how lucky I am.
POSTED BY STAN at May 25, 2009