On this Veteran's day, I found myself reflecting on the lives of my parents and grandparents, all part of the Greatest Generation in American history. As we draw near the end of this first year of the Trump Presidency, I feel a great sense of grief and loss of the values and attitudes that were handed down to me by my parents and my grandparents. But on a day like today, I am once again hopeful that we will not forget the lessons of our forefathers.
Both of my grandfathers were servicemen in WWII. Stationed in the Philippines, they were both captured and eventually survived the Japanese POW camps and death marches. Both of my parents were born in the Philippines in the mid-30s in the depths of the Great Depression. My mother's mother had already passed away leaving her and her siblings alone to find a way to escape capture. They survived by hiding with more Filipino-looking relatives. Scarcity of food and basic essentials, fear of being discovered, abuse by care-takers, and eventual separation from each other resulted in life-long Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). My grandfather was captured on the island of Corregidore. It is a miracle that he survived. The rest of my father's family was captured because they lived on the American base. But they survived and went on to pass on values and attitudes the grew from facing such terrible adversity.
LOOK FOR THE KINDNESS IN OTHERS AND FORGIVE
I grew up on stories of how my father's younger sister, as a little girl, would entertain the Japanese soldiers by singing and dancing. She won the affection of a Japanese soldier who helped my family with medicine during a malaria outbreak and would sneak them extra food. My dad would tell me that they would have died if not for the kindness of that solider. Decades later, I would travel to Japan as a Sister-city student ambassador and my parents would host Japanese students in an exchange of good-will and grace. Despite all they had been through, they did not harbor bad will or prejudice. They instilled the value of looking for the kindness in others, no matter who they may be.
FOLLOW THROUGH ON YOUR COMMITMENTS
One of the lessons I learned was that commitment meant something and that you must follow through. Over and over I heard the story of how the American's pulled out of the Pacific but that General MacArthur promised "I will return!" This promise is why I am alive today. Because General MacArthur kept his word and liberated the Philippines. It was only recently that I realized why I get so anxious when I make a commitment. Somewhere in my psyche I learned that following through on your commitments is a life-or-death proposition.
BE FAIR
My mother's youngest sister told me about a time when there was only one banana to share among the 8 children. My aunt remembers being in awe that she would get the same bite size as her older siblings who were having to work and take care of the family. I learned that everyone, no matter how small or young or abled, everyone gets a fair share.
RETURN THINGS IN BETTER CONDITION THAN YOU FOUND IT
This is a value that my father always impressed upon us. It makes sense now that I think about the lessons of the Greatest Generation. After WWII, American didn't just pull her troops out and leave Europe to climb back out of the stone-age. The Marshall Plan channeled $13 billion to the economic recovery and rebuilding of Europe and once again, General MacArthur returned to Asia to oversee the rebuilding of Japan. In the United States, the GI Bill, growth of labor unions, and progressive tax program financed the surge of the middle class and unprecedented economic expansion. American's used to strive to help all boats rise. A lesson we could all learn from today.
EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES
One of the most important values from the Greatest Generation was the idea of civic responsibility and contribution. Whether it was enlisting to serve, gathering scrap metal, women working in the factories, neighbors helping neighbors. We pull together as Americans in the service of something greater than ourselves. No contribution is too small and all contributions are welcomed. This was an era of generosity of spirit, self-sacrifice, and valor. A value that continued to be expressed by contemporary leaders like John F Kennedy who challenged Americans, to "ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country."
As we move forward, I hope that we can all stop and reflect on the lessons learned from the Greatest Generation. I believe in the inherent good nature of my fellow Americans and that we will overcome this anomalous period of division, polarization, and animosity. Greed, corruption, and hate are not who we are! Take this opportunity to talk to a Veteran and reconnect with what is generous, valorous, and noble in each of us. We would all benefit from taking a moment to reflect on the legacy they left us.
Christina Caro
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