Letter: Here’s what makes America great — and not “again” because we never lost it

I’m a baby boomer, not afraid to admit it! My compatriots, fellow boomers were all part of a progeny celebrating the victory in the last Great World War. History has failed on that proclamation but it doesn’t diminish the righteousness we and our Allies felt from the victory over tyranny and oppression. The virtue and righteousness we inherited from our parents for all the sacrifices they endured to assure this victory. But, as in any war, the survivors must pay a price.

The price, at the end of this war, was thought to be mostly physical, shown by the scars and disabilities exhibited by the returning soldiers. We now know that those scars were mostly skin deep. A far heavier price was paid by the hidden, unseen social scars left behind from witnessing and calibrating with the death and destruction associated with fighting the battles. These scars only slowly exhibited their symptoms after years of untreated signs expressed through the actions of surviving future parents. Many of these baby boomers had to endure the misplaced and undiagnosed disorders expressed through their surviving parents. Science has proven this in the years after wars. Post-traumatic stress disorder being one of the most publicized, PTSD.

Superlatives these days are so commonplace, they’ve become a cliché. But I’m addressing my surviving boomers and post boomers, fellow survivors of survivors of WWII. We are approaching a precipice or crevasse leading to an abyss! We have forgotten the conquests of WWII: defeat of totalitarianism, fascism, Nazism. The accomplishments by us and our Allies: accountability for war crimes, establishment of military tribunals and the Nuremberg Trials. What makes America great — and not “again” because we never lost it — is the conviction we share in our Constitution and Bill of Rights; the loyalty and commitment we have in our rule of law.

We are not devoted to any one person or group! We are not loyal to any political party! We are committed to a democracy and a dedication to freedom!

Robert Hoff, Taylorsville

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