Eight years ago, after the capture of Saddam Hussein in a spider hole, TIME Magazine named The American Soldier its “Person of the Year.” It was an iconic cover story that put a face on these wars and played a decisive role in getting Americans to separate personal politics from their treatment of our troops.
Now, as we approach the tenth anniversary of 9/11, TIME has unveiled a historic follow-up to that initial introduction -- “The New Greatest Generation”-- in recognition of a new 21st century veterans’ movement helping mold a stronger America. Various forces, people, and organizations have converged for one purpose – to better the lives of military veterans and their families, in honor of their service and dedication to our country.
For Iraq and Afghanistan veterans everywhere, this is a game-changing moment.
In a week when the media is covering 2012 candidate feuds as if polls open tomorrow, the TIME cover story shows the entire world the face and potential of a powerful new generation of leaders for America. Tough people who are dependable in times of adversity. Men and women who put their country first. Leaders who can get things done. The five of us (Liz Young McNally, Wes Moore, John Gallina, Dale Beatty and myself) are humbled to have been chosen to represent our brother and sisters in the veterans’ community.
Take what Dale and John have done with Purple Heart Homes for an example of how individuals can take ideas and turn them into transformative change. They combined their homebuilding experience with their military experience, and created an organization that is both practical and inspiring. All it took was a lot of grit, determination and innovation.
Also featured in the article are powerful emerging leaders like Brian Stann of UFC fame, Jake Wood of Team Rubicon, and Eric Greitens of The Mission Continues. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. We represent the diversity, skill and energy of all 2.3 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. And we’re just barely scratching the surface of the tremendous contribution and potential of this new generation of vets. Thanks to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, many more will be following in our ranks in government, business and the nonprofit sectors -- and the country needs to start paying attention. The TIME cover story shows the entire world that we are not a charity, we’re an investment. We’ve led America in combat overseas, and we’re ready to lead at home. We are social entrepreneurs. We are changemakers. We are force multipliers.
This past week, I met thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans at IAVA events at baseball games in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Many of them reminded me of Dale, John, Liz and Wes. Some of them have just gotten back, and are just getting their feet on the ground. Others are just now starting college because of the G.I. Bill. Many are looking for work, eager to join a team that values hard work, creativity and flexibility.
Make no mistake about it, more young vet movers and shakers are in-bound to American communities across the nation. Investing in their future now is the best thing we as a country can do for our collective future, from their education to their health care to their employment. Initiatives like the White House’s “Joining Forces,” and the Chamber of Commerce’s “Hiring Our Heroes” are great starts. But this isn’t the end-game. It’s more like halftime.
As we approach the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and Veterans Day on 11/11/11, it’s critical to keep the spotlight on new veterans, their contributions in the military and the impact they are now making on our everyday lives in the civilian workforce. They are living proof that service to country doesn’t end when you take off the uniform. A new surge of combat veterans will be returning home in the coming years. Hopefully, they will find the road a little more well-paved than their predecessors did, due to the hard work and dedication of people like Liz and Wes, and organizations like Purple Heart Homes and IAVA.
It’s not all positive, of course. Veterans’ unemployment continues to skyrocket nationwide. The mental health concerns and homelessness numbers aren’t going away anytime soon. This TIME cover story needs to be a catalyst more than a celebration. The leaders in this article, and the hundreds of thousands they served beside who weren’t named, represent exactly what America needs to rebuild its economy and propel its future: leadership, resilience and commitment to serve. They are our small business leaders, our teachers, our novelists, our screenwriters, our CEOs, our diplomats, and probably, a President or two.
And it’s going to take all of us, from the owners of the smallest businesses to the most powerful Senators in D.C., to make sure America maximizes all of that potential.
Iraq and Afghanistan vets will do our part, make no mistake about that. We’ll lead from the front. We always have. The TIME is now.
Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff
The "Next Greatest Generation"? Excuse me?
Korea and Vietnam were wars between superpowers. A million Chinese soldiers died fighting the US in Korea. The Cold War ended, and recent wars have been against puny opponents. 8,000 dead in ten years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, less than one years dead in Vietnam.
Give us a break. My parents were the "Greatest Generation", but Boomer sacrifice dwarfs that of today's youth. Not to mention, we were drafted, forced to kill or be killed. The draft is the most coercive possible act of any government, and we ended it in 1973.
The last 30 years have been the most peaceful in US history. In terms of % population that died in wars, by any measure. Check history before you argue. Today's young have sacrificed less than any other generation in history.
With the indiscriminate bombing the percentage of those who died that we fought in Iraq and Afghanistan has been higher.
I have sometimes felt sad for my 21 month old granddaughter and what kind of world we were leaving to her with our endless childish brawls rather then working to get real things done. My generation squandered their time on the stage with pettiness, shallowness and consumed by ideology.
then I look at my granddaughter's parents and feel hope. They are of the generation that will return our world to the right order of things. the way it should have been with us for the last 30 years.
they are the future and the hope.
I feel much positive in the thought that my generation's time is fast closing and the generations following will soon lead and right things.
Boomers have had a lot of things put on us, for instance, many have lost their young in too many unnecessary wars. Many of their young have physical problems from the same war. We have had double digit interest rates (very bad if you had to pay them on a floating rate mortgage), now that we are trying to save we have 0% interest rates. The stock market has crashed 3 times pulling down our investments and the investments of the younger workers.
The average Boomers did what they could to raise decent kids and also worked hard to pay for their home and save for retirement. They started paying extra in 1983 into Social Security so there would be enough money for the Boomers to retire without putting a strain on the younger workers.
I am proud to say all of the different generations are my family and friends. I marveled at how the younger generation is still dealing with the economy. If most of the younger generation are like those I know, then we don't need to worry.
The original "Greatest Generation" were a bunch of regular Americans that banded together to literally save the world. The entire nation unified and sacrificed to do a work of tremendous good. They participated in something that was born of nothing but the noblest intentions, and put aside their own civilian life to ensure that people in Europe wouldn't have to live under a fascist regime.
Referring to our current military as the new "Greatest Generation" is VERY disrespectful to the heroes of WW2. The current military is made entirely of volunteers that are helping to occupy countries that did nothing to us, and posed no significant threat to anybody but themselves. They are the victims of a propaganda campaign that has brainwashed them into voluntarily participating in a tremendous crime being committed by the for-profit defense industry of our country. They are not fighting the "bad guys"; they are oppressing civilians.
I know the flames are coming but somebody had to say it. Don't disrespect my grandfather by comparing him to people that gladly take up arms against innocent civilians.
Approximately three in ten military see combat; maybe fewer. Most military jobs are mirrors of civilian jobs: clerks, barbers, truck drivers, food workers, construction. You name it.
That's fine and not a condemnation as you might think. What I want to suggest is that the military, now that it is mercenary, is a paid job. All jobs have hazards, whether physical or psychological.
The veterans are not a special, separate class. They are in it for the benefits, with a veneer of patriotism thrown in, and over all, their activities as willing tools for evil national policies and wars are doing us much more harm than good.
So you think it is as hazardous to drive down the highway here as it is in Iraq?
Look, I think it sucks that, we the people, allow our politicians and military leaders to lead our young lambs to slaughter in the name of imperialism, its a corrupt and failed strategy to be sure. But they are already offered a free college education - which levels their playing field more compared to the rest of the population - they will also receive veterans benefits and health care for their years of service. What else can be done?
The truth is, the call to serve, is a call to serve and protect America's corporate manifesto, it has nothing to do with being patriotic or heroic. The real heroes of this country are being sacrificed because of the same political malfeasence dooming our soldiers - our teachers, police officers and firefighters are being laid off, roads, bridges and schools are crumbling, and this generation of Americans will be worse off than their parents. Who will rescue them?
My son-in- law went to an academy like West Point and has been in the army 20 years. His benefits are supposed to be really good, but now they are trying to whack them too.
There seems to be a new rule that only a few can have any money.
I have met a lot of soldiers. One died the first day over there from a road bomb. He left a wife and four children and was high up in the Military.
Our losses have been small compared to those who live in Afghanistan and Iraq, but when it is your friend or family it is sad, sad, sad.
What if they gave a war and nobody came? That is something for all Vets to ponder.
"What if they gave a war and nobody came?
Why, then, the war would come to you!
He who stays home when the fight begins
And lets another fight for his cause
Should take care:
He who does not take part
In the battle will share in the defeat.
Even avoiding battle will not avoid battle.
Since not to fight for your own cause
Really means
Fighting on behalf of your enemy's cause."