If any of you have been to Florida before, you’ll know what I am talking about when I say it’s full of old people. You can find them in groups power walking down the side walk, doing water aerobics in the pool, or perhaps sitting at their desks waiting for their dial up internet to connect. Many of my friends and family characterize me as an, “old soul,” which has been an overused title as of late, but I guarantee you I am the old soul of old souls. I would rather spend an afternoon playing a nice game of pinochle over video games. Sometimes I wear a Hawaiian shirt, just for heck’s sake, and my favorite brand of shoes is New Balance. This summer, I started antiquing, and my collection includes a 1940’s Mobilgas map of Michigan roads and highways, which I plan on framing when I get the time. Right now, assuming my loyal blog audience is almost entirely made of young people, because I post my link on Facebook I will be the liaison for the young to the old.
It
is important to remember the contributions the GI Generation made to America. Born between the years of 1909 and 1924, most members of this generation faced the
Great Depression during their childhood. Some of you have grandparents with
basements full of what seems to be useless stuff--endless spools of yarn, a
collections of 500 records, or old lamps that clearly will never be used again.
Members of the GI Generation have been taught to keep everything, because when
they were young, they owned very little. When they were coming of age in the
1940’s, members of the GI Generation were sent overseas to fight in World War
II, which is another reason why they are the best. As young teenagers and early
adults they took the fate of America on their shoulders, and played a major
role in winning the war. Sometimes I feel insignificant compared to our elders,
because by the time they were my age they had survived the Great Depression and
won a world war, no biggie.
I
believe that these early life hardships molded and refined members of the GI Generation
giving them the best work ethic of any generation in the US. Evidence of this
can be seen everywhere, from the highways we drive on to the business
strategies still used today. Therefore, hold this generation with the upmost
respect. When they start to tell stories, listen. When they give you advice,
follow it. When they are shuffling into Meijer the least you can do is open the
door for them. And the next time you are stuck behind one of them in a Cadillac
Deville, take some time to slow down and remember how they pretty much built
modern America.
