dispatches from the new world of work

When I'm 64!

Okay, it's actually 63. That is, the 63rd birthday of the Allies' start of the bloody process of liberating France. Alas, I'd forgotten until, while on my run in Georgetown on the ancient C&O Canal Towpath (a 70 or 80 mile trek in full), I saw French, American, and British flags on a tiny shop front. The owner, with curlers in her hair, almost shouted "Thank you, America" as I passed with a Navy hat on. (Haven't gotten anything but grief-vitriol overseas as an American of late*—so it came as a shock.) Anyway, she is very, very French, and has had her shop for about 15 years; she topped things off with an invitation to stop by in the afternoon for champagne.

Hats off to our Normandy vets, now all in their 80s, from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, etc.—brave members of a true "coalition of the willing."

*In the past, overseas, I've observed dismay at the resident of 1600 PA Ave. But this time it's inclusive—we are all getting grief.

Tom Peters posted this on 06/06/07.

Comments

I had a similar experience living in France in the mid 1970's. My father was an engineer for a large agricultural equipment manufacturer, and he was sent to a stint at one of their French factories. I remember walking home from school one day (I was about 8 years old at the time) when an older French man stopped me to talk. In very broken English he thanked me for America and for General Eisenhower. I was rather oblivious at the time, but I now appreciate the sincerity he had in trying to thank America through me, an 8 year old boy (we were the only Americans at the time in the town). Among that generation and anyone who lived during World War II, there is nothing but profound thanks and respect for the men and women who liberated France, and especially the thousands buried in Normandy.

With newer generations I suspect that attitude is changing very much as we are, for them, defined by Vietnam and Iraq (leaving aside France's own issues in Asia and Africa). The generational difference is significant, but I will never in my life forget a 60-70 year old man doing the only thing he could in thanking an 8 year old boy. It makes me humble to this day for the sacrifice of the Greatest Generation.

Posted by Bruce Gerhardt at June 7, 2007 2:24 PM

Yes, although it surprises me that no one ever dares to point out the war in Vietnam was economically the most liberating thing that happened to the country ... just look at neighboring countries Laos, Cambodia, and Burma (you cannot really include Thailand since it has a history of semi-democratic monarchistic rule and therefore a completely different dynamic). Every one of those three is struggling catastrophically to make end's meat today, even though the South East Asian region is being propelled further into dizzying economic heights daily by the growth in China and continued FDI. Vietnam, however, has been one of the key - and on the surface of it, rather unlikely - beneficiaries of China's growth and this round of insatiable risk appetite.

Coincidence? Not likely: the war in Vietnam, though a tragic hallmark in the history of the region, blew the floodgates open for the prosperity of future generations. That's true regardless of one's political orientation. I then take this logical development one stage further and ask myself: is it likely I will one day be on a plane to Baghdad to to business? Is it likely my children will? Yes, and yes. Was it likely ten years ago? Well ...

Posted by Daniel M. Harrison at June 12, 2007 11:17 AM

The ancient C&O Canal is 184 miles long, from Washington to Cumberland. 70 will barely work up a sweat. Towpath is navigable on foot or by bike all the way.We live over the hill from you in Tinmouth most of the year - next house back toward the village from Denise McGinley. We still have our Maryland house, a mile from the canal and Great Falls in Potomac. Enjoyed reading about your travels.
Grant Reynolds -

Posted by Grant Reynolds at October 31, 2007 8:43 PM