“A society grows great when old men plant trees … In whose shade they will never sit.”

—- Greek Proverb

I planted this tree in front of our home twenty years ago. It’s growing beautifully. It will outlive me. I will not sit in the fullness of the shade it will eventually provide. But this gives me an interesting perspective I want to share with you now.

I came across the beautiful quote above recently. Teared as I read it. I guess because I never say so, feel so? But I do admit, I am an older man. Most of my great friends and acquaintances are “older” too.

There has been a lot of talk in recent years about the different generations. Started with “The Greatest Generation;” … then there were the “Baby Boomers.” Followed by “Gen X,” the “Millennials” and “Gen Z.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just strip away all the labels, and just call us all … people. But today our “identities” carry more weight, define us more than they should. And I find there are some clear differences between one generation and another. For the most part philosophically.

I decided I would take time and meet with a few members from each of the generations Offer this quote casually as we talked. “The Greatest?” They were the most difficult to find. Found two in their mid 90s who qualified. “The Boomers?” … my generation. Easy to find, converse with. “Gen X?” Pretty easy too. But “Millennials” and “Gen Zs.” Well let’s just say, between the interruptions, glances at their iPhones, it was difficult to even carry on a brief chat. There was a Gen Alfa, I think. Didn’t include them.

It took about two weeks to conduct these talks. Here’s what I took away. “The Greatest?” The quote above so clearly resonated with both members I sat with. In two days, we will remember and celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The storming of Normandy Beach on June 6, 1944. Over four thousand brave soldiers lost their lives that day. This afternoon I happened to see Steve Melnikoff, 104 yr old survivor of the invasion interviewed on Fox News. His recount of D-Day shivered me. But it was his commentary on life in the 1930s vs life in America today that really hit home. His remarks beautifully brought the quote to mind… “A society grows when old men plant trees … In whose shade they will never sit.”

Melinikoff, his voice soft and articulate, harkened back to a childhood when life was so much simpler than today. A day when, “We bought rye bread because white was too expensive. We played football with no pads. We were tough because we had to be.” On and on. “We respected one another. Loved our country. Faith and values were firm. Life was about more than just us.” One great generation. Focused on what really matters. Unencumbered by the excesses of life today. The idea of “planting trees” fit Steve Melnikoff like a glove. Life was more than just him. If he read this quote, I know he would nod with knowing approval. Sacrifice whether ultimately “in the shade” or not. The “Greatest” indeed in so many ways, were the greatest.

You probably know where I’m going next. As I progressed … engaging with members of the succeeding generations? The difference in the responses to the quote were palpable. And please, this is a generalization. Not an exhaustive examination. But revealing none the less.

As I moved from the “Boomers” to the “Gen Zs?” Well, I felt like I was step by step walking from a clear day into a slowly thickening fog. Awareness, appreciation of “planting trees” was of less and less importance to these younger people. They just had trouble connecting with my words. For me as I say, it was like walking into a fog. Perhaps some day they will live with less. It won’t be as much about them … as it is above others. At times, put the other guy’s interest above their own.

I’m not casting aspersions. My observations just surface the opinion that too many of us, in particular the young, fail miserably when it comes to learning from, knowing our history. “Those who don’t learn from history are bound to repeat it.” Remember that one? I think this said a lot about the response I got from the young.

On July 4th we will celebrate the 247th anniversary of our Independence. Today, D-Day, the 80th, is one day when great patriots sacrificed to protect the precious freedoms we enjoy. The words of Steve Melnikoff resound in my mind as I close here.

Finally … Your eyes take a picture of our world. Its your choice to choose how you view it. I have absolute confidence our earlier generations will step up. See the light and like our D-Day heroes lead us to the prominence we enjoy today.

D-Day. Never forget.