My life is consumed with the care and feeding of an older generation. It is my love and my passion. Only recently did it hit me how great the loss will be when the “Silent” generation is gone and the “Boomers” take on the role of the Old and Wise. I wonder if my generation will be able to carry on, to follow in the foot steps of a generation that blindly followed their leaders into war for love of their great country, a generation that produced ideas like the North Platte Nebraska Canteen.
The Canteen was a stop off point for trains transporting soldiers during World War II. This ten minute experience was so full of love that those soldiers lucky enough to pass through North Platte still consider it one of their fondest memories.
Would my generation sacrifice their own food, stop their own busy lives to create an experience such as the Canteen of old? Would they stop long enough to go to an airport just to take an apple, a birthday cake, a smile of appreciation to a young soldier that they don’t even know? I have my doubts and that saddens me.
As a generation that believes in “Debt Consolidation” instead of “Debt Free”, I worry how the children we are raising will remember us. How did we move so far away from the dreams and values of our parents? Will the next generation look to us and marvel, or will they just look away?
One thing I do know is that the “Silent Generation” has made an impact on this world! So many Baby Boomers go through life wanting to know that they made a difference in the world. The Silent Generation is confident that they DID make a difference. I pray God graces our hearts to be more like their generation. That we will answer the call to serve when asked. That we will figure out a way, any way, to be a part of building and loving our great country, and we will teach our children about the precious gift of freedom they gave us….before they are gone.