'The Rest of the Story," as narrator Paul Harvey would have said: What a boon was the GI Bill for the WW2 GI's.
Near the end of the war we were stuck in the Battle of the Bulge. It was the last all-out confrontation between the Germans and the Allies, and it wasn't clear who would prevail. General Eisenhower called for more troops, most still being trained in camps at home. They weren't yet trained for the battlefield, but they filled the troop ships and were sent to the front to fight...young, untrained, "cannon-fodder""rookies," not yet ready to confront a desperate enemy in hand to hand combat with their bayonets in hand. So many untrained were injured or died quickly in battle that their commanding officers on the front never even took their names when they arrived, knowing full well most would be dead by tomorrow.
These final battles were redolent of our Civil War and the deadly Bull Run where so many died on both sides that there was hardly a victory. Still they fought.
Back to the best of the "rest of the story." Those soldiers who lived through it all helped win the war. Many were led by General Patton, a military leader who literally "treasured" his troops and personally led them into battle and victory.
The GI Bill, later, became the soldiers' due reward. These new students "invaded" the higher-ed institutions across America. They were the ones smart enough to survive the War and became those dedicated enough in their studies to win many "Cum Laudes" in colleges everywhere. They graduated ready to help make America the world leader it still is today.
One might argue that all our youth should be required to serve their country for a time, be well-trained and be rewarded with a new G.I. bill that helps pay their bills. America needs a new "Serviceperson's Readjustment Act," one that could retrain our youth who could revive our country.
I am deeply disappointed that there is absolutely NO mention of how racist the implementation of the GI Bill was...there is account after account of black veterans, who served and fought with courage, returning from the war who attempted to purchase homes and recover their lives but were denied. This was a KEY factor is preventing black families from building economic security and wealth. Our dad, a white veteran, was painfully aware of this and made sure we as kids knew of this tragic injustice. GK needs to amend this entry, and to apologize for its omission.
'The Rest of the Story," as narrator Paul Harvey would have said: What a boon was the GI Bill for the WW2 GI's.
Near the end of the war we were stuck in the Battle of the Bulge. It was the last all-out confrontation between the Germans and the Allies, and it wasn't clear who would prevail. General Eisenhower called for more troops, most still being trained in camps at home. They weren't yet trained for the battlefield, but they filled the troop ships and were sent to the front to fight...young, untrained, "cannon-fodder""rookies," not yet ready to confront a desperate enemy in hand to hand combat with their bayonets in hand. So many untrained were injured or died quickly in battle that their commanding officers on the front never even took their names when they arrived, knowing full well most would be dead by tomorrow.
These final battles were redolent of our Civil War and the deadly Bull Run where so many died on both sides that there was hardly a victory. Still they fought.
Back to the best of the "rest of the story." Those soldiers who lived through it all helped win the war. Many were led by General Patton, a military leader who literally "treasured" his troops and personally led them into battle and victory.
The GI Bill, later, became the soldiers' due reward. These new students "invaded" the higher-ed institutions across America. They were the ones smart enough to survive the War and became those dedicated enough in their studies to win many "Cum Laudes" in colleges everywhere. They graduated ready to help make America the world leader it still is today.
One might argue that all our youth should be required to serve their country for a time, be well-trained and be rewarded with a new G.I. bill that helps pay their bills. America needs a new "Serviceperson's Readjustment Act," one that could retrain our youth who could revive our country.
You have ignored the fact that Black soldiers were denied access to the GI Bill. I think you should correct this.
Right you are, Carol. It took a long time to open the doors of fair opportunity, and we still have a long way to go. https://www.history.com/news/gi-bill-black-wwii-veterans-benefits.
I hope GK writes a postscrip.
I am deeply disappointed that there is absolutely NO mention of how racist the implementation of the GI Bill was...there is account after account of black veterans, who served and fought with courage, returning from the war who attempted to purchase homes and recover their lives but were denied. This was a KEY factor is preventing black families from building economic security and wealth. Our dad, a white veteran, was painfully aware of this and made sure we as kids knew of this tragic injustice. GK needs to amend this entry, and to apologize for its omission.