Most of those of the greatest generation, those who fought, who died and who survived World War II, have aged and passed on over the last 75 some years. And in recent times, they sometimes have become the forgotten generation.
That’s why it was good to see three of them being recognized during the President’s State of the Union address Tuesday night.
And with one of the three being from San Diego County, it had to be uniquely special for members of the 'greatest generation' who live in San Diego and for those who serve in the military here in our community today.
Joseph Reilly, who lives in Santee, is 97 years old and he was among the three World War II vets who the President mentioned by name last night, calling them “incredible heroes”.
And in fact, that’s exactly what Private 1 st Class Joseph Reilly was on June 6 th , 1944, when, as a member of the 101 st Airborne Division, a paratrooper with a unit called the Screaming Eagles, he landed on Normandy’s Utah Beach at 3:30 in the morning on that D-Day.
After a State of the Union speech, all the talk is all about politics.
But in the especially divisive and bitter partisan atmosphere in which we live today, we need to stop and remember that the greatest generation taught us something; that by working together, with a common cause of fighting for good and against evil, they helped ensure that our country would become a great one and the world a better place. See more here.
(Photo credit Getty Images) Joseph Reilly is seated on the right.