OPINION:
How did the people who served in World War II come to be known as the Greatest Generation? By being true patriots.
During that war, Americans in the service and on the home front were proud to be Americans. We were dedicated citizens who sacrificed a lot to win the war. And we sacrificed without complaining about it.
Families gave their sons to the military and they were glad to do it, though they also very worried. If you had a family member in the military, you proudly hung a blue flag with a white star in your front window. And if he gave his life for his country, you took down the blue flag and proudly replaced it with a white one with a gold star.
In those days, if you’d walked down any block, you would, sadly, have seen at least one gold star in someone’s window.
But the government didn’t have to explain or apologize when a soldier died; everyone understood.
Today, I am ashamed when I hear people (especially Democratic politicians) complain about the price of gas when our sons are risking their lives and dying to protect us.
During World War II, gas was severely rationed and no one complained. Sure, we were unhappy about it, but we understood it was for the war effort. Food was also rationed. People worked in factories seven days a week, usually 14 hours a day. No one got vacations until the war was over and we didn’t make a peep. We were building the machinery to support our sons in battle.
The home front was not a happy place, as we were always concerned for our loved ones overseas.
As I read the papers and watch TV, I see the attitude of many Americans today and I get sad. People seem to think war in Iran is an inconvenience and we should quit so that we can have cheap gas and keep partying.
Where are the real Americans go?
Flushing, New York
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