Chapter 14 - Obligation
During the years of World War II there were serious shortages of just about everything at home. In addition to the huge drain on families, society and industry from the sheer number of men and women serving in the military, it also included items like sugar, butter, meat, gasoline, steel and rubber, to name a few. Items were rationed, with strict limits on what you could purchase, as the military forces needed these items more than the general population did. These were not minor shortages, but shortages that had a major impact on everyday life. You could not drive anywhere you chose, whenever you wanted, not only because of the gasoline shortage but because of the ration on cars as well. Thermostats were set lower in the winter to conserve fuel for the war effort. So it was not simply the soldier who was making a major contribution to the war, but rather the entire country. It was a period of sacrifice and sharing—a community effort.
Times have changed so much since I was young. Our generation was the product of the post—World War II era.When I was born in 1947 the country was still rebuilding from the serious consequences of being at war, but was making great strides forward. Through programs such as the GI Bill, veterans were going back to school to earn college degrees. There were many lower cost housing projects in the works, allowing the family to purchase a modest home. Business and industry experienced an unprecedented growth, providing even more opportunity for those who needed work and were willing to do it. And work and commitment is exactly what it took. The sense of obligation and sacrifice did not suddenly disappear at the end of the war. And we all knew our neighbors. Front porches were common back then, and when you passed by others’ homes, or they yours, it was common to say “Good evening” and perhaps talk about recent events of interest. The sense of community was still alive. These were all qualities meant to endure, passed down to us by what Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation. These are the people who created us . . . the Baby Boomers.
We went to school, paid attention and learned. If you were the disruptive type the problem was taken care of quickly, either by a teacher, the principal, but as a last resort and certainly not the least, your parents. And if you even thought about getting into trouble with the law, you had better think twice. The “hickory stick” was by and large a thing of the past, but parents had a way of dealing with issues that left an indelible mark in your mind, if nowhere else. Even if a model youngster, you still had obligations. Someone had to do the dishes, mow the lawn, help with a young sibling, shovel snow . . . . Whatever had to be done around the home, you shared in it. And when you were old enough you were expected to (and even excited to) find a part-time job outside the home. This provided relief not only to the family budget, but also gave you some disposable money for things you either needed or wanted, as well as a strong work ethic and a feeling of independence. Parents did not simply give children everything they asked for.
Like it or not, we went to Sunday school and church. We called adults “Mr. and Mrs. Jones” to demonstrate respect for our elders. We were taught not to steal or lie, and were also taught to apologize when we did something wrong or offended someone. There were so many qualities passed down to us from the prior generation. These were the greatest gifts anyone could ever ask for, and that anyone could give.
As we grew older we had already developed a sense of loyalty to our country, as that seed was planted in us as well. When President John F. Kennedy gave his 1961 Inaugural Address he spoke the words memorized by just about everyone old enough to understand . . . . “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” By my senior year of high school in 1965, the war in Vietnam was really heating up. There was a military draft system in place, and unless you were outright rejected because of a medical restriction, received a temporary deferment for further schooling, had social connections high enough to either keep you from serving or being diverted to a non-combative capacity, you were ripe to be called.
Things were changing however. The Kent State Massacre was still a few years off, but antiwar sentiment was gaining a large following. As I mentioned earlier, my mandatory President’s Hour course at community college focused to a large extent on the Vietnam conflict, and the slant was undeniably antiwar. We were no longer a unified country all willing to do what was asked of us. I realize our government is not perfect, and that maybe we were sent to Vietnam for reasons beyond what we understood at the time. I realize there is validity to conscientious objection when it is in fact real. And I also realize there has never been a one-hundred percent willingness to serve. But this was the beginning of a very serious challenge to our country. Some people claim to be patriotic, but the second they realize the possible personal consequences they turn around and head in the other direction. I have heard comments over the years that we have neither the right nor the need to fight in a foreign country. Then there’s the infamous . . . “I’ll be the first one in line to sign up if they ever step foot in this country.” Well they did set foot in this country on September 11, 2001 . . . and that did not appear to convince everyone to serve either.
The real question is whether or not America had become a nation of “blind sheep followers” during the Vietnam War by willingly serving, either by outright volunteering or responding to the draft. Were we incapable of thinking for ourselves? Did we even consider that our government was incapable of making a mistake? Were we eager to travel half way around the world to fight in what folks here would think deplorable conditions, risk our own lives and watch people around us get seriously wounded and killed? All this, just so we could burn villages, murder women, infants, children and old men, rape and plunder and play G.I. Joe? Rational people know the real answer, and that is the sense of duty instilled in us by the prior generation. The lesson of obligation had been taught and learned, and that is why we were there.
Copyright © 2011 by David B. Simmons
During the years of World War II there were serious shortages of just about everything at home. In addition to the huge drain on families, society and industry from the sheer number of men and women serving in the military, it also included items like sugar, butter, meat, gasoline, steel and rubber, to name a few. Items were rationed, with strict limits on what you could purchase, as the military forces needed these items more than the general population did. These were not minor shortages, but shortages that had a major impact on everyday life. You could not drive anywhere you chose, whenever you wanted, not only because of the gasoline shortage but because of the ration on cars as well. Thermostats were set lower in the winter to conserve fuel for the war effort. So it was not simply the soldier who was making a major contribution to the war, but rather the entire country. It was a period of sacrifice and sharing—a community effort.
Times have changed so much since I was young. Our generation was the product of the post—World War II era.When I was born in 1947 the country was still rebuilding from the serious consequences of being at war, but was making great strides forward. Through programs such as the GI Bill, veterans were going back to school to earn college degrees. There were many lower cost housing projects in the works, allowing the family to purchase a modest home. Business and industry experienced an unprecedented growth, providing even more opportunity for those who needed work and were willing to do it. And work and commitment is exactly what it took. The sense of obligation and sacrifice did not suddenly disappear at the end of the war. And we all knew our neighbors. Front porches were common back then, and when you passed by others’ homes, or they yours, it was common to say “Good evening” and perhaps talk about recent events of interest. The sense of community was still alive. These were all qualities meant to endure, passed down to us by what Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation. These are the people who created us . . . the Baby Boomers.
We went to school, paid attention and learned. If you were the disruptive type the problem was taken care of quickly, either by a teacher, the principal, but as a last resort and certainly not the least, your parents. And if you even thought about getting into trouble with the law, you had better think twice. The “hickory stick” was by and large a thing of the past, but parents had a way of dealing with issues that left an indelible mark in your mind, if nowhere else. Even if a model youngster, you still had obligations. Someone had to do the dishes, mow the lawn, help with a young sibling, shovel snow . . . . Whatever had to be done around the home, you shared in it. And when you were old enough you were expected to (and even excited to) find a part-time job outside the home. This provided relief not only to the family budget, but also gave you some disposable money for things you either needed or wanted, as well as a strong work ethic and a feeling of independence. Parents did not simply give children everything they asked for.
Like it or not, we went to Sunday school and church. We called adults “Mr. and Mrs. Jones” to demonstrate respect for our elders. We were taught not to steal or lie, and were also taught to apologize when we did something wrong or offended someone. There were so many qualities passed down to us from the prior generation. These were the greatest gifts anyone could ever ask for, and that anyone could give.
As we grew older we had already developed a sense of loyalty to our country, as that seed was planted in us as well. When President John F. Kennedy gave his 1961 Inaugural Address he spoke the words memorized by just about everyone old enough to understand . . . . “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” By my senior year of high school in 1965, the war in Vietnam was really heating up. There was a military draft system in place, and unless you were outright rejected because of a medical restriction, received a temporary deferment for further schooling, had social connections high enough to either keep you from serving or being diverted to a non-combative capacity, you were ripe to be called.
Things were changing however. The Kent State Massacre was still a few years off, but antiwar sentiment was gaining a large following. As I mentioned earlier, my mandatory President’s Hour course at community college focused to a large extent on the Vietnam conflict, and the slant was undeniably antiwar. We were no longer a unified country all willing to do what was asked of us. I realize our government is not perfect, and that maybe we were sent to Vietnam for reasons beyond what we understood at the time. I realize there is validity to conscientious objection when it is in fact real. And I also realize there has never been a one-hundred percent willingness to serve. But this was the beginning of a very serious challenge to our country. Some people claim to be patriotic, but the second they realize the possible personal consequences they turn around and head in the other direction. I have heard comments over the years that we have neither the right nor the need to fight in a foreign country. Then there’s the infamous . . . “I’ll be the first one in line to sign up if they ever step foot in this country.” Well they did set foot in this country on September 11, 2001 . . . and that did not appear to convince everyone to serve either.
The real question is whether or not America had become a nation of “blind sheep followers” during the Vietnam War by willingly serving, either by outright volunteering or responding to the draft. Were we incapable of thinking for ourselves? Did we even consider that our government was incapable of making a mistake? Were we eager to travel half way around the world to fight in what folks here would think deplorable conditions, risk our own lives and watch people around us get seriously wounded and killed? All this, just so we could burn villages, murder women, infants, children and old men, rape and plunder and play G.I. Joe? Rational people know the real answer, and that is the sense of duty instilled in us by the prior generation. The lesson of obligation had been taught and learned, and that is why we were there.
Copyright © 2011 by David B. Simmons