Nobody names their kids in initials anymore, but maybe they would become greater people if they did. F.R. was papa hans to me. A truly remarkable person that I wish I would have known today. A self made guy who overcame the odds to become who he was. If ever a definition of the pauper becomes the prince, he defines it. Although, technically it's the pauper and the prince, but papa hans describes both. My grandfather had amazing stories and altruistic american tales. Born poor, he rose to the occasion through many adversities, many unknown to everyone. I hate the term "The greatest generation" as it was coined by a baby boomer, Tom Brokaw. Is that a fair statement, or did that era just exemplify what we all are deep down. That generation, and my grandfather, managed a better way to show their incredible sacrifices, and they seem extraordinary to us. Although we all should look up to our own Papa Hans, we also need to understand that our own generations and sacrifices should not be forgotton. History is trivia, but in no way should our history be any less trivial than one generation or another. Just because I have never had a victory garden, or gone through a Vietnam protest, shouldn't mean that 9/11 and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan should mean anything less to history. History is written currently, but understood and appreciated much later. F.R. Anderson was a great part of my history and what he did as a person, but who is to say there are not many more F.R.'s like him right now or between.
F.R. Anderson, I wish you were still here but you still serve a part of my history
Eric
2 comments:
You are absoultely right you did compose a very poignant blog tonight. Not only that but it is written tightly and to the point, coming from your heart moreso then your head. I did not know your Grandfather obviously but it is apparent he had a great impact on your life. I am sure he would have been very proud of this post.
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