To the Editor:
America's Greatest Generation endured and suffered through the Great Depression, emerging from that challenge to defeat Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan during World War II. The sacrifices this generation made for each other, for our nation, and for those of us yet to come are examples of true patriotism and love of country over self. Many of this generation made the ultimate sacrifice.
Today we face our own challenge, an invisible enemy in the form of a deadly virus. Like generations of Americans before us, we are called to make sacrifices to meet this challenge. We are not being asked to storm the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, charge up San Juan Hill or fight the Battle of Belleau Wood. We are simply asked to socially distance where possible and to wear a mask.
The Greatest Generation was asked to sacrifice by going overseas to fight the enemies of freedom, and quite possibly to give their lives in that sacrifice. We are simply asked to wear a mask until a vaccine becomes widely available and we can all be vaccinated.
President Theodore Roosevelt once said “that private interests come second to the public good.” To claim that our freedom and liberty are at risk by a few months of a mask mandate is preposterous, and an insult to the strength or the Constitution and the Bill or Rights. Throughout our history the American people have always risen to face challenges and make sacrifices for the good of our country. There is no challenge, including a virus, that this nation cannot meet and defeat if we do it together.
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John Solberg
Mitchell
