Donald E. Lavender 33°
2913-49th Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50310-2550
The author questions who really deserves
the title of "The Greatest Generation."
Photos: The Life History
of the United States, Vol. II, 1933-1945 (Time-Life Books,
1964)
One of the advantages of growing old is that our experiences
of the past come together like chapters in a book, and the relationship
of those experiences becomes clearer. As we review our accomplishments,
we are sometimes surprised with the results. Activities that
seemed inconsequential at the time gain new meaning in retrospect.
With the passing of the last century, those of us who can remember
the Great Depression, who fought in World War II, and who came
home to make a life for ourselves are honored as "The Greatest
Generation." We view such honor with pride, but sometimes
question if what we did was really outstanding when compared
with those who went before us. Those who fought the Revolutionary
War and established our republic might well be considered the
"Greatest." They had the vision to do what was necessary
to provide independence and the wisdom to provide a new form
of government that has endured to this day.
Those who fought the Civil War rescued our country from what
might have been a fatal division and built a shaky but enduring
union. For that they could have been considered the "Greatest."
We must not disregard those from our country who joined the
Allies to win World War I. Although there were fatal mistakes
in the settlement that followed, few of us can imagine what
life would have been like if they had not won. For that they,
too, must be honored and considered for the title of "Greatest."
In
defense of "The Greatest Generation" assumption, we
must admit that there has never been a war so vast as World
War II that involved the entire world, East and West. By comparison,
World War I was a misnomer. American ingenuity carried the day
for our country in World War II. That ingenuity brought the
greatest expansion of industrial production known to mankind,
and, though a by-product of the war, the American creativity
revived the economy that was still suffering from the Great
Depression.
That same ingenuity provided advanced weapons of war and improved
methods of production. It carried over to the battlefield where
individuals implemented original ideas, seized upon opportunities,
and took over to replace fallen leaders. We did it without recognizing
at the time what we had done. General Eisenhower, on visiting
the Normandy Beaches some years after the war, said: "It
was a wonderful thing to remember what those fellows were fighting
for and sacrificing for, what they did to preserve our way of
life. Not to conquer any territory, not for any ambitions of
our own, but to make sure that Hitler could not destroy freedom
in the world."
American men and women went to war to stop the spread of dictatorships
throughout the world. All of them had seen the "Why We
Fight" movies, and all knew about peace and freedom, but
in the heat of battle, the primary concern was to defeat the
enemy. We all knew we had won decisively, but the true reality
is much clearer after these many years.
On one of my visits to Europe two years ago, I met the mayor
of a small German town. His words moved me almost to tears when
he said: "In Western Europe we have had a long time of
peace since 1945. For this good time we have to say thanks to
the soldiers coming in 1944 to free us from Nazi dictatorship."
Then a former German soldier stood before the graves of some
of his fallen comrades and said: "The American soldiers
of WW II deserve highest recognition and honor. They have saved
Europe and the world from injustice and slavery."
If my generation has accomplished anything as civilians since
that war, part of our success must be due to our recognition
that we were spared and we were motivated by the memory of those
we left behind in the stormy seas, in the broken wreckage of
aircraft, or on the field of battle. This memory encouraged
each of us to do the best we know how. Now, those peacetime
achievements are, for the most part, done. Our numbers are fading
fast, and we are continually searching for confirmation that
we have lived up to the reputation as "The Greatest Generation."
This theme is evident in the motion picture Saving Private Ryan
when Ryan returns to the grave of the captain who gave his life
in the process. Ryan says: "Tell me I have led a good life.
Tell me I'm a good man."
We began our conquest as an effort to stop Hitler and Tojo.
We had no thought that our accomplishments in battle and endeavors
since might be labeled as "The Greatest." Even now,
we are inclined to ask ourselves "Could that be me? Did
we really do that?"
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Donald E. Lavender
is a former Secretary Registrar (1974-1979) of the Scottish
Rite Bodies of Des Moines, Iowa. He is retired from the
City of Des Moines Engineering Department and enjoys the
hobbies of instrumental music and photography. |
