Tony served in two armies of heroes. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in Europe. After the war, he served in the civilian army of men and women that helped rebuild this country from the lingering effects of the great depression.

Tom Brokow called Tony’s generation The Greatest Generation. He goes on to say that “This generation was united not only by a common purpose, but also by common values — duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all, responsibility for oneself.”

Most men and women who served in the armed forces during World War II did not want to talk about their wartime experiences. War is horrifying not glorious. Many veterans deal with the horror of war by suppressing it.

Tony was no different. He never talked about his wartime experiences to me. Even when he told me he served in the War, he didn’t elaborate much. Mostly what I know about war, particularly World War II, I learned from books and television documentaries.

After the War, Tony came home to live out the rest of his life in his small hometown. He married, worked, participated in a variety of community organizations, and served on the town council. No different, I suspect, than millions of veterans just like him.

Leading average, perhaps even ordinary lives, Tony and his generation did what they were taught to do—work; raise a family; and honor your family, friends, and neighbors. They did not seek glory. They did not seek fame.

Tony kept his family’s values, too. He attended church regularly. He was a member of the American Legion. He joined a myriad of clubs and organizations that helped build his community. He kept his head down and followed orders, while in the military and in civilian life.

Years later after reading about the accomplishments of so many veterans during World War II, I wished I had known more stories about the men and women I knew who served their country during this turbulent time. They didn’t talk about their experiences, and mostly we didn’t ask.

They were heroes. They were heroes in war, as well as heroes in peacetime. The generations that followed Tony’s have benefited from him and his generation’s courage, sense of duty and dedication, and love of country.

We salute you and those like you. It’s another lesson we’ve learned well.

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