Greatest Generation, The

Flight Journal, Oct 1999 by DeGroat, Robert S

The Greatest Generation

by Tom Brokaw. Random House, Inc., New York, NY 10022; 412 pages; 137 b&w photographs; $24.95.

We have grown up among them. They have much to say and are worth listening to. Their lives exemplify patriotism and unshakable will. They are, as author Tom Brokaw states in his new book, simply "The Greatest Generation."

As the 20th century draws to its inevitable close, this wonderful collection of peoplethe WW II generation-is seeing the twilight of their years. This is the generation who survived the Depression, defeated tyranny in its many forms and brought prosperity to the postwar world. Sadly, thousands of veterans from that conflict die monthly. It is our loss.

Brokaw's cross-section of personalities reveals much about their motivations, whether they were on the home front or fighting abroad, military or civilian, fighting in the air or on the ground. They were of one purpose, regardless of personal cost. There were no support groups then. These people just saw what had to be done and set about finishing the job.

Here is a collection of extraordinary stories by people who considered themselves "ordinary." While their sense of fair play, honesty and integrity may seem almost quaint today, their values cannot be questioned. They are truly appalled at the self-serving attitudes of various athletes and politicians today, not to mention an almost complete lack of self-discipline and personal responsibility in the younger generations. It saddens them greatly.

This book should be required reading. Great as these recollections are, one question keeps gnawing away: how many of these priceless gems have gone untold and are now lost forever? The finest generation of this century deserves respect and admiration.

They have, after all, given us the world we have today.

That is quite a legacy to leave behind.