[A Quiet Boom]

All I know of my grandfather's WWII experience is that he was awarded the Purple Heart after a mortar attack on his location. I do know he can be a mean old bastard and crossing him is always a mistake. Over the years I have come to appreciate him and his sacrifices more and more. Lately he has been opening up to me more and more and we plan to scan a bunch of his war time photos into the computer and create a little book of his experiences. It took a lot for me to get him to do this but I explained that his memories are memories that need to be shared. He's 88 now and in good health even to this day. He's always been open with sharing other knowledge and I credit him with my skills as a fabricator. Grandpa taught me to weld at the age of 10, bought me my first Craftsmen tools when I was 6 etc. I firmly believe that the generation between 70-90 is the greatest generation we have ever seen. My boss at work is 74, a Korean War veteran as a forward observer, he went on to get his polymer science degree in the 50's and has over 80 patents to his credit. My lab assistant has know him for years and came to work with us two years ago, she turns 79 next week. Either of them can work most kids into the ground, never complain about aches and pains etc. It's ashame that so many of the younger generation (including mine) have lost the work ethic these people had. I really think that's what makes this country so divided, conservatives miss the values, personal responsibility and work ethic of the greatest generation. I could be wrong.