Soon to be forgotten
It's that time of year again, time for your Ol' Editor to dust off a column about the Battle of the Bulge.
Readers had hoped to be spared that unpleasant ordeal this year. They are tired of having to turn to another page every December.
So, this year no attempt will be made to describe the battle in Belgium as the largest and most sanguine in American history — more than 200,000 American casualties were recorded during the Bulge and more than 400,000 Americans were killed during World War II.
Today more than 1,350 American veterans of WWII are dying daily. At that rate, in a short time there'll be none left to bore others with memories of "the big war." Folks can get on with life without reference to Tom Brokaw's "greatest generation."
Have a bit of patience.
Your OE and other WWII vets are unconvinced by Brokaw's epitaph. In all likelihood today's generation would step forward in much the same manner if circumstances were the same; hardened by growing up during a Depression being faced with world domination.
— BILL MEYER
