(excerpt from a Tom Brokaw letter)
When America was plunged into war the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, history hung in the balance. The forces of tyranny were on the march. Britain and Russia were succumbing to the hammer blows of the Nazi war machine. The Japanese juggernaut in the Pacific appeared unstoppable.
Yet, with the smoke still lingering over Pearl Harbor, America united as never before. Overnight the American people were resolved to one purpose and one purpose only: FINAL VICTORY.
Men, women, young and old, even children, had a role. Farm boys, lawyers, accountants, grocery clerks, indeed, men and teenagers from all walks of life joined the armed services by the millions. Women flooded the shipyards and factories to produce the arms of democracy. Children scavenged for scrap metal and rubber to help out. Everyone knew the stakes were high--defeat was not an option.
The entire nation came together with discipline, courage, and self-sacrifice to achieve a great victory of good over evil. Over 400,000 of our countrymen gave their lives to achieve this victory. The entire nation did its part to see their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Today, this "Greatest Generation" is passing into the night. Their legacy is the legacy of freedom. It is our legacy. One which we should never take for granted.
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The story of the WWII generation is a lesson in freedom. You can support The National World War II Museum at: http://www.ddaymuseum.org/
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