Time magazine had a cover story about The Next Greatest Generation. It was about veterans returning from war and the skills they bring to civilian life. I found it fascinating.
The new Army, it explained, is not a place where soldiers follow orders mindlessly. It is a place where important decisions are being made by individuals; a place where true leadership is being taught and where all-American values are supported. Loyalty . . . fairness . . . balancing benefit with risk.
When these young men and women come back from duty abroad, they seem to find themselves politically homeless. Neither party seems on the path of leadership they have learned. They see programs being conceived to insure votes; short term solutions being painted as change, without consideration of their long term effects. They are looking for the leaders willing to make hard choices that will guarantee future liberties.
Not seeing such leaders, will they take the path to become them? Could these returning veterans be the people we’ve been waiting for? Do they have the skills and values to end all the nonsense and get things going again? Can they break through the ingrained structure and traditions that are holding us back?
What an exciting possibility! Let’s watch them carefully and see what happens.
Show #372
I love the hopeful prospect that the remarkable talent and experience of these young service men and women can be harnessed for the good of our country!
Our country desperately needs moral leadership, Elizabeth. These brave young people, who have seen what life is like where freedom does not rein, could bring the strength we need. Thank you for your comments.