Called to a purpose

[rivka]

There's an article in today's Washington Post about college students re-evaluating their expectations for the future. There wasn't much in the way of excitement to join up and start killing Arabs. What there was instead was quiet determination: "If other American boys are dying for peace, what makes me more important than them? I could see myself [enlisting], if I feel that it's needed." And some new resolve: a guy who dropped out of pre-med classes signing up again, because he wants to be able to help.

We've heard a lot about the "Greatest Generation," always with the unspoken assumption that the country has been in a long downhill slide since then, that the current batch of young adults are lazy, spoiled, thoughtless, ignorant drones. That we could never be worth what our grandfathers were. But I've been noticing the ages of some of the fire fighters and EMTs quoted in the news: 21. 22. 24. I see these students quoted in the Post, their seriousness and readiness to take up what may be asked of them. And - as much as I've been distressed by the bloodier calls for vengeance - in the last few days I've mostly seen people being careful and thoughtful, trying to work out the best way to go. I've seen people doing their best to be decent to each other, not just members of the "Greatest Generation," but members of my generation. Are we lazy, spoiled, and ignorant? We might seem that way. But it's not the sum of us.

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Bill can't really hide the fact that he wants to be called back to active duty. He said today that he was worried that he would scare me by talking about it. Well. If he's called back, I expect that he's not likely to go any further than Quantico and his old analyst's position - and it would just be melodramatic of me to wring my hands over that. If it got bad enough that they needed to send a (sorry, Bill) several-years-retired 47-year-old man into mortal danger overseas... then it would bad enough that any fears I might have for his safety would be entirely beside the point. If the national or world situation became desperate, what right would I have to demand that my own should be spared?

I wish there were something I could do. Something more than speaking out against prejudice, giving blood, donating money to disaster relief. Something big. I can't fault Bill for feeling the same way. If the Marine Corps need him, I hope they'll call him. And if there's something he can do, I'll be proud.

Comments

Re: Called to a purpose

[wcg.livejournal.com]

The article makes a good point, and I've never had much use for all the hoopla about the "Greatest Generation." They had their share of shirkers too. I've had occassion to know a lot of brave 18 and 19 and 20 and 21 year old people over the years.

As for what you're doing... I think it's pretty important. We each do what we can. (and don't feel you have to apologise for the truth dear. I am all those things.) There's a lot to be said for keeping the nation something worth defending.

Bill

Retired 47 year olds

[tsjafo.livejournal.com]

I'm also 47 and recently retired. I called and volunteered to go back the day of the bombing. I also wanted to do something, anything, to help combat this enemy. I wasn't a rifle toter, I was a historian, but I could still help. Help them remember the 19 Airmen who died at Dhahran or the 17 Seamen who died on the USS Cole or any of the other instanced when US military personnel were killed and nothing was done to hunt down the perpetrators. I'd go back, to stand up and protect my family, my friends, my nation from those who kill because dying is easier than living, than working to make the world a better place. I'd go in a heartbeat. Bill has my understanding and my most profound respect. I'd be proud to serve if that service was nothing more than filling sand bags.