The legacy of Veterans: seeking the collective good

After having the privilege of attending Veterans Day programs in Weiser’s schools over many years I can say I always come away with a deeper appreciation for those who have served and are serving in the varied branches of the U.S. military. At the same time, the conduct displayed by Weiser’s students has never been anything less than impressive.

 As a “Boomer,” I and my generation were the direct beneficiaries of our parents’ resilience, patriotism, and shared commitment to building a prosperous future here in Weiser and throughout the country during the decades following WWII. 

 Amenities right here in Weiser, like Memorial Park and Weiser Memorial Hospital, all came to be during the first decade following the end of the war in 1945. And more followed those.

 The everyday actions of those who raised my generation built an interdependent community, one whose members could be relied upon to always work together towards building and improving everything around them.

 Returning from witnessing terrible destruction all over the world, those WWII heroes came home with a desire to rebuild and contribute to a peaceful, prosperous society.

 They had been children during the Great Depression, and their military and war experiences built within them discipline and technical skills that fueled their contributions in the workforce and as businessmen. 

 Those of us who grew up in that era remember constant interactions among those community leaders, which included businesses in town and farmers and ranchers outside the city’s parameters. Committees formed from those segments of the community regularly helped steer elected leadership in Weiser and Washington County.

 The Greatest Generation’s legacy is not just in what they built, but in how they built it: with grit, unity, and a belief in the American dream. Their impact laid the foundation for decades of prosperity and social transformation.

 They were defined by sacrifice and service, prioritizing collective well-being over personal comfort. They worked hard for long-term goals, often without immediate rewards, and their character was forged in economic collapse, war, and rebuilding.

 The current generation can regrasp the grit and tenacity of the Greatest Generation by cultivating resilience through adversity, fostering purpose-driven values, and embracing long-term perseverance over instant gratification. 

 And we, the adults, parents and grandparents raising them, will do well to demonstrate what that looks like.