"The greatest generation didn't seek its reward down here, but reserved it for the world to come."
Tom Brokaw's quote suggests that the "Greatest Generation" – those who came of age during the Great Depression and fought in World War II – did not expect immediate recognition or rewards for their sacrifices, hardships, and heroism. Instead, they focused on building a better future for generations to come. In essence, the quote implies that these individuals valued posterity over personal glory, and their legacy was the creation of a world where their offspring could live with peace, prosperity, and freedom.
"It's not about the size of the dog in the fight, it's about the size of the fight in the dog."
This quote suggests that a small entity (the "dog") can be effective or successful if it is passionate, determined, or persistent enough ("fight") in its endeavor, regardless of the size or power of the opposition ("size of the dog"). It emphasizes the importance of mindset and perseverance over raw strength or resources.
"History does not occur in a vacuum; it is made by people who bring their passion and their prejudices with them."
This quote by Tom Brokaw emphasizes that historical events are shaped not only by objective circumstances but also by the human elements of emotion, bias, and perspective. In other words, history isn't merely a series of impersonal occurrences; it is created by individuals who bring their personal experiences, beliefs, and biases to the table. This underscores the importance of understanding the motivations and contexts behind historical events for a complete and accurate portrayal of the past.
"The great gift of the American electoral system is that the loser almost always concedes gracefully, if sometimes reluctantly."
This quote by Tom Brokaw highlights a fundamental aspect of American democracy - the peaceful transfer of power. It suggests that even in the face of adversity or disappointment, the losing candidate acknowledges the outcome and respects the will of the people, thereby preserving national unity. This graceful concession is a testament to the resilience and maturity of the democratic process in the United States.
"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."
This quote by Tom Brokaw underscores that the impact of war extends beyond the physically wounded on the battlefield. It implies that all who participate in war - whether directly or indirectly, as combatants, civilians, or even observers - are emotionally scarred to some degree. The phrase serves as a stark reminder that the effects of war are far-reaching and long-lasting.
My mother and father, with my newborn brother and me in the backseat of the 1938 Ford sedan that would be our family car for the next decade, moved to that hastily constructed Army ammunition depot called Igloo, on the alkaline and sagebrush landscape of far southwestern South Dakota. I was three years old.
- Tom Brokaw
As young parents of three girls, living in California during the late Sixties and early Seventies, Meredith and I couldn't help but be aware of the rising level of dialogue, debate, commentary, and proclamations about the place of women in society and about how to raise females in light of this raised consciousness.
- Tom Brokaw
My hope is that we would begin to have a dialogue in this country about the importance of civility. We can have strong differences, but it does seem to me that most of the country believes it's gone to critical mass in what I would call the professional class across the political spectrum - left and right.
- Tom Brokaw
While Pickstown may not be what it once was, it still is framed by the natural beauty of the ancient river, the sweep of the Great Plains, and the long, unbroken shoreline of the lake behind the dam. It gave me a 19th-century childhood in a modern mid-20th-century town, and for that I will always be grateful.
- Tom Brokaw
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