Comments on: The Greatest Generation. Tom Brokaw. http://blog.2sparrows.org/2009/07/06/the-greatest-generation-tom-brokaw/ Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:13:03 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: seanb724 http://blog.2sparrows.org/2009/07/06/the-greatest-generation-tom-brokaw/#comment-526 seanb724 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:19:54 +0000 http://blog.2sparrows.org/?p=1242#comment-526 I think, and Brokaw would probably agree, that the early trials, namely the Great Depression and WWII, is what shaped them the most and enabled them to thrive in the post war era. Granted, there was certainly room for growth as an economic and social powerhouse due to the losses the war caused. But even then there were still major obstacles like the Korea war. I would say that overall the problems we have faced are comparatively minor. While 9/11 was devastating, the scale was so small when compared to WWII. And while our current economic crisis is major, it is also small compared to the Great Depression. I had hoped that our American society would stand together after 9/11 as we did during WWII, and for a short time, we did. But it seems that cohesiveness has dissipated. Yet that glimmer gives me some hope that we could stand up and "be great" if called on. However, I worry that we currently lack too many of the attributes of the Greatest Generation that I listed, and that at some point we will reach a point where we could not stand strong in a time of need. I think, and Brokaw would probably agree, that the early trials, namely the Great Depression and WWII, is what shaped them the most and enabled them to thrive in the post war era.

Granted, there was certainly room for growth as an economic and social powerhouse due to the losses the war caused. But even then there were still major obstacles like the Korea war.

I would say that overall the problems we have faced are comparatively minor. While 9/11 was devastating, the scale was so small when compared to WWII. And while our current economic crisis is major, it is also small compared to the Great Depression.

I had hoped that our American society would stand together after 9/11 as we did during WWII, and for a short time, we did. But it seems that cohesiveness has dissipated. Yet that glimmer gives me some hope that we could stand up and “be great” if called on.

However, I worry that we currently lack too many of the attributes of the Greatest Generation that I listed, and that at some point we will reach a point where we could not stand strong in a time of need.

]]> By: blackbean http://blog.2sparrows.org/2009/07/06/the-greatest-generation-tom-brokaw/#comment-523 blackbean Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:18:10 +0000 http://blog.2sparrows.org/?p=1242#comment-523 Born in 1926, growing up during the Depression, and serving in WWII and Korea, my father was certainly a part of "The Greatest Generation." He died when I was a 12, so my experience of him was as the father of a young child. I've been thinking for years that I should read Brokaw's book but I've just not gotten around to it yet. With that said, it seems the world that we've inherited is vastly different from the one they came back to after the war. During my adult working life I've weathered the dot-com crash, 9-11, significant recessions, unacceptable health care costs, and the list goes on. I wonder how they would respond? Thoughts? Born in 1926, growing up during the Depression, and serving in WWII and Korea, my father was certainly a part of “The Greatest Generation.” He died when I was a 12, so my experience of him was as the father of a young child. I’ve been thinking for years that I should read Brokaw’s book but I’ve just not gotten around to it yet.

With that said, it seems the world that we’ve inherited is vastly different from the one they came back to after the war. During my adult working life I’ve weathered the dot-com crash, 9-11, significant recessions, unacceptable health care costs, and the list goes on.

I wonder how they would respond? Thoughts?

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