The Greatest Generation

We are in very difficult financial times, and it is being fed by our fear. As the talk circulates about how bad things are it tends to make them worse. I was with a friend over the weekend looking at his new project. As he builds his new hotel he wonders if travelers will be coming to Tucson as they have in the past. We can’t predict the future with any accuracy, only God knows what will happen. But, as we have entered this period of economic turmoil how do we know that this is not a time of renewal and growth?

Have you read “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw? I have asked many of my friends if they have read the book, few have. Many have said “isn’t he a liberal?” Probably, but it is not reflected in the book. It is really a book that chronicles the lives of people that were part of the WWII generation, also known as “The Greatest Generation”. What we learn in the book through the lives of different people, from varied backgrounds with a shared history, is what molded their lives. We know that this generation was willing to sacrifice their lives, fortunes and families to fight the Nazi menace and the Japanese imperialists. They were molded and shaped by their shared experiences growing up in the Great Depression.

The depression built character in these ordinary people and gave them extraordinary strength and character. Brokaw tells the stories of people that couldn’t afford to feed their own families, yet they took in their neighbor’s kids when they were orphaned. Folks that lent a hand when they were weak and weary to a neighbor that needed it. Even though we have been told that crime is a result of poverty, we had a higher percentage of poor people during the Great Depression than at any time in our nations history yet the crime rate was much lower than today. Their faith grew in God as they were sorely tested by their circumstances. This experience built the character of the men and women that would then engage evil around the world and defeat it. We lost over 500,000 men in the war and many more times that were wounded and maimed.

There was a great story in the book about Joe Foss. Joe was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for shooting down a couple of dozen Japanese fighters. The marine pilot went on to be Governor of South Dakota, host a safari show and be the first commissioner of the AFL. It was because of Joe Foss that Brokaw was introduced to his profession (you’ll have to read the book). The book shared in great detail about Joe Foss’ Christian faith and his honor and duty to his country. Character formed through the crucible or pain during the depression.

But, what was it like before the Great Depression? You may have heard of the Roaring Twenties. This was a time of unbridled prosperity and decadence. Does that sound familiar? I think we have been experiencing the roaring 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. I don’t know how long the economic downturn we are in will last. I don’t think it will end soon. Perhaps this is a time when we should be reflecting about the things that are really important instead of what is happening to our 401K’s? This could be a time of great growth in character, honor, duty and commitment if we will seize the moment. We are told in the scripture that if we will humble ourselves, begin to pray and seek his face that the Lord will heal our land. In spite of our prosperity we have allowed evil to grow in our midst. Maybe our selfishness will give way to self sacrifice again.