America’s Greatest Generation grew up during the worst economic depression in the history of the United States. What’s not generally known is that the economic depression of the nineteen thirties was not just an American depression but a worldwide depression. It was devastating and most countries in the world turned to governments such as Nazism, Fascism, Communism, Dictatorships, Imperialism, and various forms of Socialism. But not America’s Greatest Generation; they stuck by their Constitution and the elected form of government given to them by their forefathers.
Then came World War II and they were called on to beat back the horror of Nazism, Fascism, and other forms of evil that strived to rule and subjugate the world. It called for a great sacrifice in human life and in human emotion.But they stepped forward and they did it.
After a great depression and a world war, they then went on to help build a great nation by living successful lives and helping restore the foundation of the United States of America.
This story is about a family, the Collie Family, from the small East Texas town of Coalville during those hard times in America. It tells how they persevered against hatred, racism, murder, and personal tragedy and sacrifice to rise up and become part of America’s Greatest Generation.
EXCERPTS
1.
Slowly she inched herself out of the door with her legs and one free hand. She almost made it. Just as she got one foot on the muddy ground, the car slipped over the edge.
Lois clutched Bobbie tightly in her arms until it didn’t matter anymore.
2.
Carefully, he took out the small tightly folded piece of paper and unfolded it. Moving to where he could see better, he read the little note.
WHEN FINISHED READING THIS, DESTROY IT. THERE HAS BEEN A DELAY. I T WILL TAKE A LITTLE LONGER.
I NEED TO SECURE MORE RESOURCES. BE PATIENT DO NOT TRY TO SEND ME A MESSAGE YET. BELIEVE IN ME. PLEASE. BELIEVE IN ME
3.
With hands shaking, Cherrie opened the telegram and read it.
MRS CHERYL JORDAN= 1213 MAIN STREET= COALVILLE, TEXAS= THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND MAJOR DICK JORDAN HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN ACTION ON 8 MAY 1945 ON THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA. HE IS IN ROUTE TO A HOSPITAL IN HAWAII VIA A NAVAL HOSPITAL SHIP. IF FURTHER DE TA I L S OR O T H E R I N F OR M AT ION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED PERIOD A LETTER FOLLOWS= ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
Cherrie staggered backwards and banged into the wall of the house. She looked at Ruth with tears in her eyes but a smile on her face. “Momma Ruth,” she stammered, “he’s alive. He’s been wounded but he’s on his way to a hospital in Hawaii. Momma Ruth, he’s alive.” The emotion overcame her and she slide down the wall of the house and sat down on the porch. “He’s alive, Momma Ruth,” she repeated.
Time Enough to Cry
The Children of the Greatest Generation
This novel is a follow up to Mr. Crane’s first novel, So Much to Give: A Story of America’s Greatest Generation . It recounts what happened to three of the children born to the main characters in that book. It is a sequel in a sense, but also a stand-alone novel.
It tells the story of six children of the Greatest Generation growing up du ring the fifties, sixties, seventies, and eighties. The story follows them through all their growing up, their heartaches, their tragedies, their happiness, and finally their love.
It tells the story of how three women from vastly different walks of life meet three men in that crucible of war known as Vietnam du ring 1968 through 1970. It tells how they persevered through hardships and death, and how their honor, devotion, loyalty, cou rage, and dedication would see them through and eventually bring love to each of them. And they would form a bond of brotherhood and sisterhood that can only be bound tightly by the fury of war.
For they each would wear the badge of honor, to be called
The Children of the Greatest Generation.