Great Hope for the Rising Generation Desert diary from Wednesday, February 11, 2004 As I drive down Highway 213 toward our community house everyday, I pass dozens of hum-vees, buses, and jeeps transporting soldiers to and from Mac Greggor Range. Most of these warriors are really children-17, 18, and 19 years old. I don’t embrace trendy patriotism, but the reality of service is brought home to me when I see the faces of these men and women who are willing to lay their lives down. I think and pray for the families of the hundreds who have laid their sons and daughters on the altar of liberty in the suburbs of Iraq and the deserts of Afghanistan. I’m not worthy to close the Velcro flaps of their boots. Too many conservative thinkers complain loudly how the “young people have no respect for authority, bla, bla, bla.” They accuse young people today of having no respect, morality, or work ethic. These are the same conservatives who are patriotic and supportive of our troops. They need to understand that these troops ARE THE RISING GENERATION. They are teenagers and early 20-somethings. Furthermore, it’s the SAME generation that ran INTO the falling, burning towers on 9/11/01 to save lives. That doesn’t sound like a selfish generation to me. You critics CAN’T have it both ways! If you are patriotic and supportive of our military’s war on terror, then you MUST believe in the young people today. They fight your wars, protect you at night, save your lives, cook your meals, pick up your garbage, and pay for your social security. For what it’s worth, if you are a member of the armed services, fire, police, or paramedic forces, I want to thank you deeply. My prayers are with you and yours. I believe in your generation. This rising generation is naturally spiritual—not materialistic. This rising generation is not generally selfish—it longs for authentic community like no other American generation. Brother David