The Greatest Generation slowly fades, as do American's memories of that fateful day, and the years that followed.  The threat to America's freedom came to both shores.  Now, as they leave, their legacy of protecting our Constitutional rights as a Nation becomes tarnished.  Younger, more 'forward-thinking' youth have embraced a 'New World Order'. 

The new generation put the 'me' before the 'we'.  The Greatest Generation dropped the mantel of power too quickly.  And now their voice, their vote, dwindles to a small minority.  An embattled minority that has to defend their Social Security and their Medicare, their IRA's and 2nd reverse mortgages.  Was this what they fought for so long ago?

A huge military complex that is in cahoots with the Energy Oligarchs?  A Wall Street that booms-and-busts again and again?  A country where Veterans and elderly are evicted from their homes, which are then handed over to the Banks? 

We were warned.  By Washington.  By Roosevelt.  By the Greatest Generations biggest hero, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower.  I bet you remember when he said in his Farewell Address the following:  "...In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

Sums it up, doesn't it?  Well, my wish is that the remaining 'Greatest Generation' survivors think long and hard about who they are going to vote for this next election.  The traditionalist GOP voter has prayed to God that the current GOP leadership is in command of the ship, and setting a patriotic course.  But, as though waking from a dream, the fog of reality makes many of our elderly realize that we're being set up for another Barry Goldwater ideological shift to the hard-Right.  It didn't work in '64, and it ain't gonna work now.  And you, our nation's grand-parents and great-grand-parents, still have a voice. 

I can only hope your legacy shows the Greatest Generation standing up once again, to protect America, to protect our freedoms, and vote against those politicians that are paid for by G.E., McDonnell Douglas, Exxon, Phizer, and a host of other Trans-National Corporations.  If the Koch brothers are attached to it, it's Big Oil.  If Halburton is a supporter, then it's Big Military.  Seek true patriots among your ranks, un-retire them, and get them back into action.  We need leadership.  Great leadership.

True Americans must never forget what was started at Pearl Harbor and the tragic price paid.