The Holiday Season Through the Eyes of The Greatest Generation

Is your Christmas tree up? Do you believe in sticking to the “Day After Thanksgiving Rule” or was yours already decorated and glowing in October?

Holiday traditions are interesting because they’re not the same for everybody. While we may each do things a little differently, the season was quite different for members of the greatest generation. 

If you were not there yourself, imagine Christmas in 1941. Pearl Harbor had just been attacked and the U.S was thrown into a world war. Men were fighting overseas and families back home were waking up Christmas morning without their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers. Young men fresh out of high school were absent at the dinner table because they were needed elsewhere. 

Everything from food to gifts fell in short supply because of the need to save for the war efforts. Times were certainly a far cry from the usual festive season. After World War Two, America was ready to get back to normal. The Korean War put a stop to that, however. Again, while many Americans were enjoying a white Christmas at home, others were braving deadly cf temperatures and deadlier enemies abroad.

While we enjoy our holiday season this year, let’s take a moment to remember those who were not able to enjoy theirs as war ripped them away from their families. Let’s also take a moment to think of those who are serving today and the families left back home. 

We are working to give back to those who gave the most. The Greatest Generation Benefits Act would do so much for those who sacrificed during WWII and Korea. Learn more about this bill here. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.