The Exponent


9/25/01	5 day quick link 9/24 \| 9/21 \| 9/20 \| 9/19 \| 9/18

America should display patriotism of ‘greatest generation’

For many of our grandparents, December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, was the first time their generation was called upon to defend all that their country stood for. Men like my grandfather joined the armed forces, and went off to fight oppression in Europe and the Pacific.

And they fought bravely. Though he came back with a Purple Heart, my grandfather, along with thousands of his countrymen, returned home safely from the worldwide conflict. But thousands more did not.

Their bravery during World War II and the following decades is why they came to be known in this country as the "greatest generation."

In many respects, our grandparents’ generation and our own aren’t too different. We were both fairly carefree, young adults looking to the future with hope and promise. But as December 7, 1941, changed their generation forever, so has September 11, 2001 changed ours.

Instead of looking at our flag and remembering the Pledge of Allegiance we said every day in elementary school, we’ll remember the thousands of patriots throughout the years who gave their lives so that flag could continue to fly.

Instead of taking our freedoms for granted, we’ll remember that our ability to speak out against injustice freely, to practice religion freely, even print this article without fear of retribution is what makes this country truly great.

And we’ll no longer look at New York City as the "City that Never Sleeps" or the center of American culture, but a city of brave firefighters and emergency personnel, the city of thousands of victims and innumerable heroes, and the city that brought our nation together.

And just as Pearl Harbor served as a wake up call to our grandparents, so the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. serve as one for us.

It’s our turn to become the "greatest generation."

And while all indications are that we will probably not be needed for armed conflict on the magnitude of the Second World War, our country desperately needs our service in other ways.

If you haven’t already done so, and you’re eligible, give blood. Though the possibility that survivors will still be found in the rubble of the World Trade Center is rapidly diminishing, hospitals can always use more blood. It could save a life.

You or a group you are involved in on campus could donate or raise money for one of the many charities established during the aftermath of the tragedy.

But most importantly, don’t let your newfound patriotism fade. Many of us, myself included, took a lot for granted the days prior to the terrorist attacks. It’s important for us to remember the millions of sacrifices our countrymen, both past and present, have made so that we could enjoy the freedoms we consider basic and automatic.

In these days leading up to an impending war against terrorism that the United States is preparing to wage, it’s important for us to stand united behind our soldiers and our president. If history, and the Vietnam War in particular, have taught us anything, it is that a united home front is as essential to a successful campaign as any military action.

I’m not saying that you necessarily have to agree with any action our government will take against the perpetrators of this atrocity, as I personally don’t think using the military as it is conventionally employed will be very effective. Using an all-out military campaign would be like using a broad sword instead of a scalpel in surgery: extremely messy and very counter productive.

All I am saying is that we should respect and honor the sacrifices our soldiers are willing to make, some having no qualms about giving their lives, in order that we can sleep a little more soundly at night.

But above all, if I could make one small request of my generation, it would be this: don’t let this be a fleeting sense of community and patriotism. Please don’t. If we are to show our elders that we are willing to be handed the torch and carry the light of freedom, we have to make absolutely certain that our pride in our nation is not just a fad (like pegged pants) that we all look back upon and laugh. Thirty years for now, I still want to feel emotional every time I hear "The Star Spangled Banner."

In order for us to answer the call, to become the second "greatest generation," we have to be willing to make the sacrifices we need to make in order to preserve our nation for future generations.

Like my grandfather did for his sons, his grandchildren, and myself.

Matt Poston is a sophomore in the School of Management. He can be reached at opinions@purdueexponent.org.

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