Salute to a Generation

I was one of 30 local veterans of World War II, honored by the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, in a presentation program at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort on June 6th, 2009. The date coincided with the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy in France. The honorees represented each branch of service, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Army Air Corps, and Marine Corps. Each honoree was presented with a beautiful Medallion, depicting the generation and the legacy of those who met the challenges of that terrible time.

As I stood in my turn at "front and center," being applauded by those in attendance for the program, I was struck by the enormity of the patriotic endeavors represented by those men and women who shared the tribute. I am proud of my service with the U.S. Navy Amphibious Forces in the Pacific Theater, but my record was overshadowed by those who had flown the aircraft, faced the barrage of gunfire at point blank range, suffered the humility of being captives of the enemy, and defied fate to accomplish the mission.

In that moment I wondered how many of our young offspring, sons and daughters, and grand children, would remember what we did to preserve the heritage, and the freedom, they enjoy. Our armed forces today are being called upon to sacrifice, to face a new, often clandestine, enemy in faraway places. Do our High Schools, Colleges, and Universities, serve to teach the values and patriotism that we fought so hard to defend and maintain? Or is our legacy lost to a concept of "acceptance" of the threats to our heritage? Surely enough Americans still believe our freedoms are worth fighting for. Surely the politicians will not be permitted to destroy what we have for so long cherished.

God bless America, and let us retain our sense of pride in our country, and let us never forget our history, and the reasons we became a great nation. Let our prayers be to uphold tradition, a sense of honor, and respect, for ourselves and each other. Long may our nation endure, in freedom, and lasting liberty.

Footnote: Many thanks to the Non-Commissioned Officers Association and to the active and retired NCOs who brought about this outstanding program. Thanks also to the various "history" groups and "reinactors" who were dressed in the timely olive drab uniforms of the period.