Remeberance of Our Greatest Generation

Last night I found out about the death of a man I admired and trusted.  He went ot meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Tuesday evening.  I had the opportunity to talk to this gentleman very often over the last few years.  It was never about what I had done in the military it was just about life.  Why is this titled a rememberance of our greatest generation?  Americas greatest generation was the generation who put their lives on hold for 3 to 4 years to go serve during World War II.  They voluntarily joined to defend this great nation.  Their deployment was for the duration of the conflict plus 6 months.  I know that when I was in we had complaints about being gone for a year to 18 months.  Can you fathom the courage it took to go volunteer not knowing when or if you would return?  I can't and I did it at one time.  My friend was in the Navy and spent over 3 years in the Pacific.  He was a part of the Iwo Jimo invasion.  If you have never read or seen anything about this invasion you need to check it out.  The Japanese did not believe in surrendering at all.  They wrote letters home saying goodbye because they were going to fight to the death.  A glorious death was an honorable thing, surrender was a lack of honor to you and your family and that was not allowed in their society.  I will miss my friend and teacher but I know in my heart that he is in a better place.  Go with God my friend and have a peaceful journey.  Our greatest gerneration was just that - the Greatest.