The 9-11 Generation-Influencing the Millennials in Avoiding the Mistakes of the Greatest Generation

As I wrote The Calling to Lead and completed my research and planning for the novel, I intensely examined the various American generations, along with generational relations, and their effects on the United States; considering the fact that a generation's rise and transitions is one of the main components of the storyline. In chatting with a close family friend this weekend, we were talking about this subject matter and comparing the Greatest Generation to my Generation, Gen-X, the soon to be 9-11 Generation. As I have stated many times, Generation X will eventually transform into the 9-11 Generation and has the potential to be as great if not greater than the Greatest Generation. In The Calling to Lead, Michael Buonocore represents that Gen-Xer who will transform his generation into the 9-11 Generation and become its leader.

In looking back, the Greatest Generation had two very strong challenges to overcome in The Great Depression and World War II. From our study of The Great Depression, we all know what happened there, how there were no jobs, families were starving, etc, and this continued on right up until we were attacked at Pearl Harbor, bringing us into World War II. Once the war started, the men went to Europe and to the Pacific to fight and defend our nation against the spread of Nazism, Fascism and Totalitarianism. Women had the added responsibilities of keeping the economy going while still tending to their families. After four long years, The Greatest Generation pushed back the evils of the world, then came home to further build this economy and raise their families so they could espouse to their children the greatness and exceptionalism of the United States.

The story is still being written for Generation X/The 9-11 Generation, but again, as I earlier stated, terrorists attacking the United States on her soil shocked my generation into reality that the United States can no longer consider herself safe because we have two oceans on either side of our coast. That attack on that day showed terrorists have the power, if we let them, to bring our country to a halt and we must not allow that to happen. We began to walk with an overall awareness on our city streets, similar to what had been done in London, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Paris for years. In the response to 9-11, some in my generation followed the footsteps of the men of the Greatest Generation and enlisted in the military to stop the terrorists where they live. Others contributed in different ways where they pursued careers where they gave of themselves to others, served the nation or prepared the next generation. This is the primary reason that I became an educator. The younger generations must learn where they came from so they can contribute to where the United States will go when they become leaders.

In this conversation with my family friend, who by the way is a member of the Greatest Generation, the point on which we both agreed was that the while the Greatest Generation had all good intention in raising their children, who became the Baby Boom Generation, wishing to protect them from the horrors their generation had to face, whether providing for them, over-sheltering them, etc., many in that generation accepted these parental protections as the cultural norm and as they became of age, began to influence their leaders into providing this extra protection, and as leaders themselves, would eventually provide this protection, in the form of governmental influence and various governmental programs.

In 2010, we are seeing the Baby Boomers' vision of an overtly strong and influential central government grind the United States to a screeching halt. Taxes have risen (and will rise) to run this expanded government and we are now seeing the effects: high unemployment, stifling regulation and the building of a reliance to depend on the government. As a result, we are facing similar economic challenges that the Greatest Generation felt. Having had enough and wanting to take another path, many in Gen-X/The 9-11 Generation have begun to stand up and to advocate for that rugged individualism and self-determination that has guided and shaped the Greatest Generation and generations that preceded them.

Again, the story for the Gen-Xers/The 9-11 Generation is still being written. This story can be written when we build upon the Greatest Generation, by properly influencing and mentoring the Millennials. Gen-Xers/The 9-11 Generation must teach them the following:

1. The United States of America is the greatest country God has given man. Our forefathers put in place a system where self determination, self reliance and independence is the way of life. We must teach them to fully rely on themselves, whether imparting to them the proper thinking or problem solving skills, and we must teach by example! The Millennials must understand our history so they can carry it on when they become leaders, just as the previous generations did. We must get them involved in reading the news, listening to the news and even having a positive impact on the news. This will preserve the United States.

2. Technology should be used effectively and responsibly. This includes facebook, smartphones, cameras, computers and the Internet. Effective use is defind as reaching them directly through its use. We must be able to speak their language in a similar fashion a teacher must speak in their students' language. In teaching its responsible use, we must make them learn that there's a lot of ugly out there and as a result, we must impart to them their proper uses. Furthermore, they must know how technology can be used against them, which reminds me of a previous post where I said to think before you post. And they should know that as they gain knowledge, they have the power to progress what had already been invented.

3. Building on my first item, we must teach the Millennials that they must rely on themselves to survive. By doing everything for them and not allowing them to learn for themselves, we create a subservient collectivist society. They will take this and believe that all Americans need to do is live and the government will take care of everything. This is the most significant error of the Greatest Generation and the 9-11 Generation must not repeat that mistake. Creating self reliant individuals will allow for a government to be put in power that allows for more independence and self-determination.

4. We must teach the Millennials that without a safe and functioning United States, we, as a nation, cannot survive. September 11, 2001 teaches us that all the terrorists need are one shot. We must take every measure possible to not allow them that shot. Every other issue is moot. This action alone preserves, protects and defends the United States, allowing her to progress and prosper.

When the Millennials and Gen-Xers/9-11 Generation are on the same page, the United States will prosper and my generation needs to take an active role in this endeavor so that success is achieved.