Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Brokaw and the 'greatest generation'

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Tom Brokaw is a brave man.

The 58-year-old NBC news anchor has called some of us senior citizens the "greatest generation ever."

While historians might take exception to his selection, Brokaw sticks by his guns as he praises the courage and dedication of those who fought in World War II.

In his book, "The Greatest Generation" Brokaw describes the very young men who took up arms to defend our country, and the women who stayed home and worked in factories and on army depots until the war was over.

Brokaw urges grandparents to tell their stories to the children so they can understand. He believes younger people will be astonished at the sacrifices that were made.

I haven't had the opportunity to read Brokaw's book, but I intend to the first chance I get. There will be memories for all of us who lived through that period of our history.

Many of us remember the Depression prior to the war. My own recollection is of our family being evicted from a rental house because we couldn't pay the month's rent of $20. And of my father building a kind of Rube Goldberg placer mining setup to pan enough gold out of a mine we owned so that we might have food on the table. Our monthly allowance was 25 cents, but I was able to add to that by delivering long distance telephone messages to folks who did not have a phone.

The war years came on the heels of the Depression. Suddenly our nation was geared for mighty battles against Germany and Japan. I don't believe the patriotic fervor that was instilled in the hearts of Americans at that time will ever be duplicated. It was a "we're all in this together" atmosphere as food, clothing and gas rationing became a way of life.

Nothing was easy for Tom Brokaw's "greatest generation," but hardship forged a nation of determined Americans who did their best to make it easier for the generations to follow.

Those were the days, my friend.

People are saying department:

A Sun reader found a sign in a local department store rather confusing. It read, "Stock Up and Save. Limit: one."

Researcher Knight Allen points out: "Look at the proposed $15,000 legislative pay proposal. The session has been reduced by 33 percent while the salary is up to 92 percent."

Susan Huff claims she "doesn't understand the imperative to rejuvenate downtown. If free market capitalism can't or won't save it, why should taxpayers do it?"

Toni Sheff says, "Don't live life to the end of your rope. Tie a knot and swing."

Basketball fan Joey Simms advises: "Fewer turnovers, more rebounds, win games."

Have a good day.

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