‘Greatest Generation’ slipping away
The sun beat down fiercely on the hilltop cemetery in White County Wednesday as friends and family gathered to lay to rest Robert Johnson (R.J., or “Pappa”) Howard.
The bright sun and sizzling temperatures were hardly notable on an August afternoon in Middle Tennessee. Nor was the cloudburst which erupted less than an hour later, hiding the sun and dropping the mercury a good 20 degrees.
Certainly, that friends and family had gathered in the sweltering conditions to say goodbye to yet another of what journalist Tom Brokaw termed “The Greatest Generation” in which book by that name.
R.J. died one week after the burial of his wife, Geneva, of 60 years.
Due to his fragile health and the stern advice of doctors, he never learned of the demise of his gentle, perceptive life mate. But, perhaps he knew because he soon went to join her.
So, within nine days gone were two more members of a unique generation, one which survived the Great Depression, won the last great war of unquestioned necessity against absolute evil and then laid the foundation for what is now the greatest nation in the world.
R.J. and Geneva were almost perfect examples of that generation, growing up in rural, agricultural White County where hard labor provided for basic necessities but cold cash would not be plentiful.
When World War II came, R.J. entered national military service and would up in the Coast Guard.
That service helped provide the means to pursue a college education which led to a career in education, plus farming.
R.J. and Geneva raised five children and put them all through college, largely with the proceeds of a dairy operation. They all became professionals in various fields, four in public service, including two in education.
Truly, they epitomized the Greatest Generation.
That label became all so much more poignant at R.J.’s service as some 10 members of Veterans of Foreign Wars arrived on that hot, hot afternoon in their post uniforms to serve as honor guard for the ceremony.
Many of them would be near the more than 80 years of their departed comrade, but were willing to give of their time and energy to provide the proper tribute to a former cohort in arms.
So, after uplifting words from the minister, the honors detail came forward, saluted, fired three volleys from the Garand M1 rifles which GIs used to stop Hitler and Tojo and then slowly and reverent removed the flag from R.J.’s casket, folded it properly and presented it respectfully to a surviving son.
The men of this special generation continue to serve, continue to value and honor service, continue to give of themselves to the values they have long held so dear.
They understand all too well the hardships, the sacrifices, for many the ultimate sacrifice and the dedication to ideals which have brought this country to its great place.
And, on a hot summer afternoon on a rural hillside they served one more time.
(Mike Pirtle is a former editor of the Standard who is now editor of the Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro.)