Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. On that fateful day of December 7, 1941, the Japanese made a surprise attack on America at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. There were 2,403 killed and almost 1,200 injured. On the USS Arizona alone, 23 sets of brothers totaling 62 men and many others lost their lives in the attack. It truly is “a date that will live in infamy.”
In remembrance of this day, I’d like to focus in on the character traits of the generation who fought for our country during that time. They have been labeled as “The Greatest Generation”. Here are just a few of those traits from which we can learn.
~ They grew up during The Great Depression. These were hard times where they learned to be frugal, resourceful and content. Decisions like “should I replace my worn-out work shoes” or “should I put food on the table” were very real concerns. Many of them had to quit school and work to keep their families alive.
~They had an unrelenting work ethic. They were not motivated toward self-fulfillment or status, but simply because a job needed to be done. Therefore, their determination to persevere was equally as strong. They worked in harsh conditions such as factories, mines, and fields, yet they didn’t consider quitting an option. They assumed responsibility for their actions and didn’t pass blame on others.
~ They were loyal to their employers and especially to their families with a powerful sense of commitment. Relationships were worth working hard to keep. Most of them valued their faith in God which helped them get through grief, wartime, and the most difficult of economic times.
~ They were men and women who kept their word. Their integrity in the eyes of others mattered. This generation was humble and modest. They didn’t brag about heroic war efforts, but considered it part of a job they needed to do for a country they loved dearly.
To “The Greatest Generation”, I say thank you for being tremendous examples before us. To the other readers, I am challenged to follow in these great footsteps. Are you?