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Thursday, May 28, 2020

Man At The VA

I talked with a man at the VA the other day - an 80+ year old man. I asked him if there was anything I can get him while this Coronavirus scare was gripping America.

He simply smiled, looked away and said:

"Let me tell you what I need! I need to believe, at some point, this country my generation fought for ... I need to believe this nation that we handed safely to our children and their children ...

I need to know this generation will quit being a bunch of sissies ... that they respect what they've been given ... that they've earned what others sacrificed for."

I wasn't sure where the conversation was going or if it was going anywhere at all. So, I sat there, quietly listening.

"You know, I was a little boy during WWII. Those were scary days. We didn't know if we were going to be speaking English, German or Japanese at the end of the war. There was no certainty, no guarantees like Americans enjoy today.

And no home went without sacrifice or loss. Every house, up and down every street, had someone in harm's way. Maybe their Daddy was a soldier, maybe their son was a sailor, maybe it was an uncle. Sometimes it was the whole damn family ... fathers, sons, uncles ...

Having someone, you love, sent off to war ... it wasn't less frightening than it is today. It was scary as Hell. If anything, it was more frightening. We didn't have battle front news. We didn't have email or cellphones. You sent them away and you hoped ... you prayed. You may not hear from them for months, if ever. Sometimes a mother was getting her son's letters the same day Dad was comforting her over their child's death.

And we sacrificed. You couldn't buy things. Everything was rationed. You were only allowed so much milk per month, only so much bread, toilet paper. EVERYTHING was restricted for the war effort. And what you weren't using, what you didn't need, things you threw away, they were saved and sorted for the war effort. My generation was the original recycling movement in America.

And we had viruses back then ... serious viruses. Things like polio, measles, and such. It was nothing to walk to school and pass a house or two that was quarantined. We didn't shut down our schools. We didn't shut down our cities. We carried on, without masks, without hand sanitizer. And do you know what? We persevered. We overcame. We didn't attack our President, we came together. We rallied around the flag for the war. Thick or thin, we were in it to win. And we would lose more boys in an hour of combat than we lose in entire wars today."

He slowly looked away again. Maybe I saw a small tear in the corner of his eye. Then he continued:

"Today's kids don't know sacrifice. They think a sacrifice is not having coverage on their phone while they freely drive across the country. Today's kids are selfish and spoiled. In my generation, we looked out for our elders. We helped out with single moms whose husbands were either at war or dead from war. Today's kids rush the store, buying everything they can ... no concern for anyone but themselves. It's shameful the way Americans behave these days. None of them deserve the sacrifices their granddads made.

So, no I don't need anything. I appreciate your offer but, I know I've been through worse things than this virus. But maybe I should be asking you, what can I do to help you? Do you have enough pop to get through this, enough steak? Will you be able to survive with 113 channels on your tv?"

I smiled, fighting back a tear of my own ... now humbled by a man in his 80's. All I could do was thank him for the history lesson, leave my number for emergency and leave with my ego firmly tucked in my rear.

I talked to a man today. A real man. An American man from an era long gone and forgotten. Most will never understand the sacrifices. Most will never fully learn their sacrifices. But citizens today should work harder to learn about them ... learn from them ... to respect them.

15 comments:

Rebel Without a Clue said...

Spot on commentary!

Anonymous said...

And there you have it, sissies.

Anonymous said...

Awww, did YOU write that? Got a little tear in my eye too, because it seems pretty unlikely that an 80+ year old sat there and said all that. Sounds "concocted".

Anonymous said...

At 65 years of age I can look back and forward,Lets hope this is the worst times are grandchildren endure. But thank you for teaching them the history of what it took to get here and what they must risk to maintain.

Anonymous said...

Bankers' wars.
Every one of them.
Read: Smedley Butler

Old Man said...

It was all said in the article. I just wish the younger people today had just 10% of the character this man, and many of his generation had. The younger generation is creating a demon they may not be able to get back into the bottle. And they will be the just recipients of what they created, whatever that may turn out to be. However, just like a forest, sometimes lightning creates a huge fire that burns off the smothering undergrowth and rejuvenates the forest to begin productive growth again. Maybe we are just seeing that fire starting.

anonymous said...

When people make up stories to make a point, I stop reading. I don't care what is stated. It is a made up story to make the author's point. That's Hollywierd. Not real life. Just my POV.

anonymous said...

Anyone in WW2 would be over 93.

Anonymous said...

Since I come from this man’s same generation, I could not agree more with his remarks. People simply have a tough time understanding why this virus does not create the fear within us as it does the younger generations. I just wish there were more of us to step us and provide the leadership, sacrifice and example.
Visited my Doctor’s office today. I was informed that I had to remain in the lobby and keep a mask on. I asked why. i was told they are doing it to protect me??!! At my age and all the exposure I have had, Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Post Office, Walmart, Sam’s Club, BJ’s,
Dollar General, Family Dollar, several grocery stores, convenience stores, extensive travel, Ocean City, Thrashers, and myriad of homes in several states, I should be dead by now.

Anonymous said...

My Dad led the 672nd Amtrac Division to rescue the prison camp at Luzon in the Phillipines. You know what is really amazing? There were at least 671 other amtrac divisions in WW2.

Anonymous said...

Awwwww you didn't like the story cause it doesn't fit your agenda

Annoy said...

AMEN!!!

Annoy said...

Oh my goodness. . . Why? There are many WW2 vets that would glady love to speak with someone regarding their experience. . Why fabricate? Outright Lie? It did say 80+ so I wonder if that is how they will get away with it. . Geesh people

Anonymous said...

Ok, boomers.

Anonymous said...

642 your math skills are spot on.

Your reading comprehension is less than stellar since the older man stated:

"You know, I was a little boy during WWII."

Good day to you sir...I said GOOD DAY!