Last night I attended a very memorable combined Young Women/ Young Men activity. I'm ashamed to say I've been in the Folsom 3rd ward for a year now, and didn't know about the great contributions Brother Lewis had made to our country.
In fact, there is a section in Saints and Soldiers all about Doran C. Lewis, master seargent and tailgunner, who completed 33 successful combat missions over Japan in the B-29 (the biggest bomber that the US had during the last year of WWII). His brother Oren was also a gunner in the same plane. They are now the only two surviving from that crew. Brother Lewis had all of us captivated last night -- sharing stories of amazing courage and service. Throughout their time fighting in the Pacific, they worked hard to share the Gospel and set up a tiny branch in Saipan -- baptizing many.
It was obvious to me, as the youth listened to several couples speak, that they very quickly realized the immediate need to contribute to their communities and countries just as their great-grandparents had. I thought of my own grandfathers and, as I drove home, I cried. How I miss them; their courage and their larger-than-life examples of industry, integrity, and purposeful living.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXtFbtY9xs8
Then today, I found myself wondering what, exactly, has my generation done to give back? If Gen X only counts the internet and the hybrid car once, then we, along with Al Gore, are in some SERIOUS trouble!
This great little clip summarizes my thoughts on the matter.
In fact, there is a section in Saints and Soldiers all about Doran C. Lewis, master seargent and tailgunner, who completed 33 successful combat missions over Japan in the B-29 (the biggest bomber that the US had during the last year of WWII). His brother Oren was also a gunner in the same plane. They are now the only two surviving from that crew. Brother Lewis had all of us captivated last night -- sharing stories of amazing courage and service. Throughout their time fighting in the Pacific, they worked hard to share the Gospel and set up a tiny branch in Saipan -- baptizing many.
It was obvious to me, as the youth listened to several couples speak, that they very quickly realized the immediate need to contribute to their communities and countries just as their great-grandparents had. I thought of my own grandfathers and, as I drove home, I cried. How I miss them; their courage and their larger-than-life examples of industry, integrity, and purposeful living.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXtFbtY9xs8
Then today, I found myself wondering what, exactly, has my generation done to give back? If Gen X only counts the internet and the hybrid car once, then we, along with Al Gore, are in some SERIOUS trouble!
This great little clip summarizes my thoughts on the matter.
We are, indeed, quickly becoming an inarticulate, convictionless, directionless, solutionless and yet complaining bunch. Time to roll up the sleeves and catch up with our grandparents and great-grandparents!
