I received

this from a senior citizen friend. It is factual -

read it!

Robert J. Grady, LTC, USAF

(RET), Colorado Springs wrote an article entitled

"Seniors must learn to sacrifice."

I quote it here in its

entirety:

"I was embarrassed to

read that President Clinton and his advisors have said,

`The older generation must learn to sacrifice as other

generations have done.'

"That's my generation.

I knew eventually someone would ferret out the dirty

secret: we've lived the `life-style of the rich and

famous' all our lives.

"Now, I know I must

bare the truth about my generation and let the country

condemn us for our selfishness. We certainly don't

deserve any of that Social Security money that we've put

away for 45 or 50 years! We sure don't need help with our

medical bills... no, we've surely got enough put away for

a $250,000 open heart surgery bill.

"We've had so much fun

in our lives. Why, just read the following:

`During the Depression we

had a hilarious time dancing to the tune of "Brother

Can You Spare A Dime?" We could choose to dine at

any of the country's fabulous soup kitchens, often joined

of carefree self-indulgence.

`Then, with World War II,

the cup filled to overflowing. We had the chance to bask

on the exotic beaches of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and

Okinawa; to see the capitals of Europe and travel to such

scenic spots as Bastogne, Malmedy and Monte Cassino. Of

course, one of the most exhilarating adventures was the

stroll from Bataan to the local Japanese hotels,

laughingly known as death camps. But the good times

really rolled for those lucky enough to be on the beaches

of Normandy for the swimming and boating that pleasant

June day in '44. Unforgettable.

`Even luckier were those

that drew the prized holiday tickets for cruises on

sleek, gray ships to fun-filled spots like Midway, the

Solomons and Murmansk. Instead of asking, "What can

we do for our country?" an indulgent government let

us fritter away our youth wandering idly through the lush

and lovely jungles of Burma and New Guinea.

"Yes, it's all true:

we were pampered, we were spoiled rotten, we never did

realize what sacrifice meant. We envy you, Mr. Clinton,

the harsh lessons you learned in London, Moscow and

Little Rock. My generation is old, Mr. President... and

guilty; but we are repentant. Punish us for our failings,

sir, that we may learn the true meaning of duty, honor

and country.

"Give that money that

we've been putting into Social Security and Medicare to

those more deserving... like yourself?"

For all of us who still

remember, let those who don't, understand! My and my

wife's parents were part of what Tom Brokaw called the

"Greatest Generation." They experienced the

Great Depression, WWII and the Korean War. When

interviewed, the citizen soldiers said they did it for

their religious values and for the love of democratic

values. Sacrifice is not even a word in Generation X's

vocabulary! It's putting self interests last, Mr.

President.

The Rev. Dr. Knox Herndon

is the pastor of "His House Community Church"

(SBC) and a substitute school teacher in the Fayette

County school system, and a former Army chaplain. The

church is currently meeting in the American Legion Log

Cabin across from the fountain on the Square in

Fayetteville. Prayer line 770-719-2365 e-mail [email protected]`