December 7 - 65 years later

Back in high school our science professor Gary Bass would always give pop tests on December 7. Sort of a sneak attack in memory of Pearl Harbor. The babies born back then, 1941, are now eligible for Medicare.

The World War II veterans are called the greatest generation. In comparison, the Vietnam War veterans are the forgotten generation.

The country was more united during the administrations of FDR and Truman than any other time in history. Ike fostered the military-industrial complex and created the interstate highway system. Some people said that Ike's administration proved that we didn't need a president. but those were good times.

The decade of the 1950's was full of progress in the cities, in the small towns, and on the farms. In Sunday School young lads were praying for the boys in Korea, even years after the conflict. Nobody told us the war was over.

John F. Kennedy was the icon of youthful hope. In the south he had his opponents, as the country struggled with the racial divisions. At Georgia Southern, and across the land, the youth rallied in shock at the assassination. Even those who questioned the Kennedys' stance on civil rights also renewed their patriotism. "They can't kill OUR President!"

The GSC gym team presented a performance of memorable sculptures and pictures. Assembled in total darkness, the spotlights would suddenly go on revealing the gold-painted muscled bodies in another tableau. Lights off, reassemble, and lights on for another, and another, and another. Finally another blaze of light, and all that gold seemed to disappear in the sight of the red, white, and blue. They were raising the flag at Iwo Jima! There was deathly silence for a moment, then the loudest and longest ovation ever.

That's my America. People coming together in spite of their differences, finding community in diversity, working together to find answers and resolve problems, and protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States of America.

I'm Bill Ricks of Soperton, and today I announce my blog.