Becoming the Next Great Generation
We know them as parents and grandparents, the Great Generation that fought a world war to end all wars. Their courage, sacrifice and dedication are remembered on Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, and in between as well. It didn’t end in perpetual peace, but their legacy has given us a high standard to emulate. Their devotion to duty and sacrifice did raise the bar.
This generation just may be the next great generation. As we grapple with the pandemic and issues across the nation, we have the opportunity to offer leadership in small ways, as simple people, to continue our national legacy. To the extent that we teach personal responsibility, decrease the concept of entitlement, and enhance concept of maintaining the cause of freedom, we offer the leadership of greatness. A thousand unknowns may bring forth a truly heroic outcome.
We all know this to be true: Freedom isn’t free. You can’t givefreedom like a pretty birthday gift wrapped in expensive paper with a bow onit. It must be earned. In the same way, you can’t give a fair wage tosomeone unwilling to work for it. Rewards in life are earned, not bestowed. ThomasPaine said it well: Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must,like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. This rings true two hundred years after its utterance. It holds truefor you and for me.
We must stand upfor free enterprise. The Ayn Rand Instituteinstills the concept of guaranteeing rights free from the use of physical forceby others. As small business owners, we know firsthand the value of investingone’s own capital and sweat equity to create income and generate wealth forothers. This value is something we can share with the community, with neighborsand friend. It is a stabilizing force in our communities, and the Chamber helpsus do that.
We must stand upfor personal responsibility. Each of us does well or fails based on ourown efforts. When we foster that sense of responsibility, we promote ourcommunity’s well-being. This is so clearly demonstrated in the field ofbusiness, that we have a message to share with our community, with neighborsand family.
We must stand up for an honest day’s wage for an honest day’s work. As business owners, this is a luxury for many of us. Owners often scrimp on their own paychecks to be sure their employees get paid, but that sacrifice goes unnoticed. That’s okay. We do this because we see the big picture and the promise of better returns. Those just entering the workforce are unable to enjoy that same perspective. They need to learn to value their effort, and it is taught by earning what they receive.
As we enjoy the freedom of being American, let us rememberthat it is incumbent upon us offer the leadership of what that means. Personalresponsibility, respect of property, respect for work are interwoven into thefabric of our nation. As we exemplify these qualities we become the nextgreat generation. Let’s rise above all challenges and overcome.
