The New Greatest Generation

I enjoy listening to the news and reading about the celebrations honoring the veterans who landed on Normandy, France 70 years ago leading to freeing Europe from Nazi domination. We all owe a debt to these valiant warriors and their generation.

On the other hand, I’m a little disturbed when reading suggestions that today’s youth would not measure up to these men. I see the troops returning from Afghanistan with their missing limbs and severe trauma and weep for the price they paid to answer the call of freedom. These kids, and they are kids, volunteered and gave everything they had. Personally, I think they are cut from the same cloth as those who served in WWII. Today’s kids can measure up.

Those who don’t believe the kids of 2014 measure up, may be talking about the large number of kids who have dropped out of the work force. The large number of kids living with their parents and, at best, working jobs below their skill level. Or, maybe it is the large number of kids who seem to be drifting. The evening news highlights the homeless marching because of income inequality. We see these same people demonstrating to raise the minimum wage to a level which would hurt the very businesses providing them with jobs. If we buy into this narrative, we see a war on success demonizing those who work hard to get ahead in a competitive world as being the norm of kids today. Our kids are better than the narrative.

The real narrative is what these under-performing kids are missing. The lack of income, prestige and status that success brings is not their only tragedy. Their lack of opportunity and growth in a “fair” America where there are no winners or losers is not a tragedy. The failed Utopian plans of Socialists have such a magnetic attraction of “fairness,” so much so, it has been used throughout history by those who seek control over a population. The failure that follows, and the high price paid by all is not the tragedy. The tragedy is the damage done to the heart and mind of those falling into this trap. Like love, success or lack of resides inside the heart beyond public view. The narrative misses the fact these under-performing kids know in their hearts they are missing out on really living their lives.

Getting a first job and learning to do it well brings a joy, and introduces a person to new feelings of well-being. Being promoted to a higher pay or a position with more responsibility gives one a feeling of pride and success. Graduating from college and pursuing a productive life instills a confidence in both the graduate and their family. This feeling is the fuel which drives many. For those unable to get into college (I was one of those) the military gives you a chance to start from a different position. The military instills the discipline and confidence many of us missed in high school. The military teaches a trade leading to the pride of a job well done. Even those carrying a rifle, learn the joy of successfully completing tasks, and being recognized as being competent. The tragedy I see today is those kids who don’t get the chance to experience success. The tragedy is not learning you are special, not because your parents told you so, but because you are performing and growing. The tragedy is not coming home to a family, your family, and providing for them because you worked harder, longer and smarter than others at your job.

People focus on success being how much money you make. What the veterans from WWII knew was developing skills, devoting yourself to something worthwhile, and being see as proficient at a job is the real definition of success. A friend of mine talked about his dad being a construction worker who took his family on the weekends to see what he had built during the last week. The dad pointed out the straight lines from concrete sidewalks, the internal bracing on buildings and the fine finish on each construction project. The dad worked hard, was proud of what he did and wanted his family to see the results. My friend often talked about the psychic rewards of a job well done. Despite a tough road, my friend became successful because he understood the value of psychic rewards.

I’m so grateful for the veterans who stormed Normandy. I’m just as proud of our kids today who volunteered to fight around the world because they are proud of being an American. The tragedy is those who have forgone the psychic rewards because of a belief they are entitled to high pay and good jobs regardless of their preparation. It is not too late for young people to get a job, any job, and learn the joy of a job well done. It is not too late for kids who are lost to pick a spot, any spot, and start from there. Kids need to understand any journey starts with the first step. Joy, Pride and confidence are priceless.