Courage Yesterday and Today

Watching the news these past few weeks, I’ve found myself reflecting on what we call the “greatest generation,” ordinary people who rose to face the extraordinary circumstances of WWII with remarkable courage.

My father was one of them. Fresh out of high school, he joined the army and became an infantry scout. Like many in his generation, he didn’t speak often of his war experiences. Usually this happened when we were gazing into a fire, late at night, tired from a long day of hiking. 

Once we asked him if he was ever scared during the war. I’ve never forgotten what he taught me that night. “Of course I was scared, terrified. The danger was real and very immediate. You’d have to be crazy not to be scared, but courage is doing the right thing, the thing that needs to be done, even when you are scared.”

This picture was taken the day Dad returned home from the war. I hope and pray it will not be too long before many other families around the world will be able to take treasured pictures such as this of their courageous sons and daughters returning safely home.

Here’s to courage, in the big and little moments of our lives,

Anne


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