Letter to the editor

I would like to recount my recent visit to Appalachee High School where I was invited to discuss my experiences in World War Two in which I served as a torpedoman in the U.S. Navy. Ms. Paige Cole's classes of 16 year olds were my audience and I have to confess, my initial thoughts were not encouraging. We all know how difficult it is to talk to teenagers, right? Think again. Be of glad heart, because I am NOT going to regale you with tales of my derring-do and how I won the war and made the world safe for Democracy. Instead, I want to tell you about those kids. Oh I did recall some of the highlights of my service, but it wasn't long before I realized that the kids were more interested in discussing the events of the day and they were not hesitant to ask questions. I soon realized that my presence there was not only seen as a war veteran, but as someone who has been there and done that for a long time.......a very long time. Over the years I had written many letters to the editor about current events and posted most of them to a blog (gbmorin@gis.net). Ms. Cole gave the kids access to my blog and had them formulate responses to those issues that interested them. And did they ever! I was absolutely floored by the intensity of their concern about the Iraqi war and the possibility of new wars. They wanted answers. They also tuned in on the economy, the illegial alien problem and the presidential campaign. It was an educational moment for this old dude and I can say without hesitation that we needn't waste too much time worrying about the future state of our nation. It will be in good hands. We just need to give our encouragement and place our faith on the truly greatest generation, the next one coming up.

George Morin
Auburn