For their actions in the war, they deserve the "Greatest Generation" moniker.
However, a thought occurs to me: if the "greatest generation" had not coddled, spoiled and otherwise allowed their baby boomer off-spring to turn into a bunch of self-indulgent liberal brats, would America be such a screwed up place today?
Were the "greatest generation" the "worst parents" when they came home?
Something to think about...
Good point on the offspring of the GG. The ones I'm related to are some of the most self-absorbed, greediest people on the planet. My in-laws vote for Democrats because they're terrified their gravy train of hand-outs (which they DO NOT NEED!) is going to take a hit. You should hear them bitching about the Medicare RX plan. It's not GOOD enough! I can't even stand to be in the same room with them.
Just looking at the divorce rates, latch key kids, etc. the boomers were the worst.
While I think spoiling the baby boomers was a problem I think the WWII's biggest problem with parenting is the fact they are set in their ways and not good at reacting to change and at that time the world was changing rapidly with T.V., The suburban lifestyle, college life, drugs and such and they were unable to cope and the baby boomers just ran wild on them.
No, I think the commies were rightly afraid of such a large demographic boom of offspring of veterans. So, they pulled out all the stops to essentially destroy a generation in a lot of ways, with sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Just a theory, but it kind of fits.
Those are excellent points you and qaml have, my wife and I have often discussed those very things, we thought we were the only ones to think that!
Isn't it strange that there is a segment of the coming-of-age late 50s, early 60s bunch, which I'm a part of, who served, raised families, stayed married. I believe you are right in pin-pointing the disconnect.
We have a heck of a generation now sacrifcing so much. My son told me of a fellow soldier, seriously wounded by RPG shrapnel in the legs and ankle during the original push to Baghdad with the 3ID. He volunteered to return when they deploy again, said that the job isn't finished yet--how 'bout that for duty, honor, country??