Children ought to know what it was that went into their making, to know that life is a braided cord of humanity stretching up from time long gone, and that it cannot be defined by the span of a single journey from diaper to shroud.
—Russell Baker
Reading this passage from Growing Up, you can’t help but
reflect on your own past. The house where I grew up was within walking distance
of Biggs Air Force Base. Probably because it was such a scary experience—my
first memories are of whole squadrons of planes rumbling overhead during World
War II. Every time my aunt (the woman who adopted me) heard them overhead, she
reminded us to “pray that all those boys will come home safely.” Tensions ran
high in those days as local newspapers carried the lists of casualties. It was
all the more frightening when her sons signed up to serve.
Fortunately for us, my big brothers came home safely, but
the lives of an entire generation were deeply marked by World War II and what
happened as a result of it. As we review the decades we have lived through, we
can better put them into perspective. Now another generation is living through
a war and those experiences will have an effect on this braided cord of
humanity. A letter that my brother Jack
Pyburn recently wrote to his local newspaper reminded me of the need to
save the stories that have the power to inspire the present generation and the
generations to come. He writes:
“Many people have read Tom Brokaw’s best selling book The
Greatest Generation. As a veteran of World War II, I am proud of being part of
that group.
In the past few years it seems that some Americans have
questioned the ability of the present generation to live up to the standards
set by the greatest generation. Other countries in particular have accused them
of being soft and pampered. But the bravery, courage, and sacrifice they showed
(and are still showing) following the terrorist attacks of September 11 answers
that question with a resounding “Yes!” From the extraordinary acts of bravery
by passengers on the hijacked planes, the firemen, the policemen and thousands
of volunteers, their greatness has been shown.
What impresses me is how rapidly they responded to the
crisis. They didn’t wait for a rally or drive to inspire them. They did it
spontaneously without concern for themselves. It is obvious that personal
integrity, love of God, and love of country is alive and well.
I have no doubt that we will overcome this terrible event
and be stronger as a result. I’m proud of our present generation. God bless them,
and God bless America.”
His thoughts were brought home again as I recently had the
privilege of talking to Mr. Brian Tomkins’ seventh grade social studies classes
in Lockport, Illinois. That the present generation is in better shape than we
sometimes believe is reflected in what is taking place in that classroom. Mr.
Tomkins has his class involved in tracing their families’ histories. Going far
beyond names, dates, and places, he is
urging his students to preserve their family stories. To make these events
memorable, Mr. Tomkins has invited some of the student’s grandparents to class
to give eyewitness accounts of history—from servicemen who fought in the war,
to wives and others who stayed home and kept the country running.
I’m hoping that all who are able will be willing to take
time to follow Mr. Tomkins’ example and preserve the stories we have. We never
know when it will be too late. Children need to know that they have the power
within them to be the next great generation. They cannot know that unless we
tell them the personal stories of the generations who came before them.
— Loretto (Lou) Dennis Szucs
Return to the Ancestry Magazine May/June 2002 Table of Contents.
Ancestry Magazine
