My only grandchild, Davis McNulty, is about to turn 17 next month. No rational person would deny that the world/nation/state has changed significantly in the 70 or so years of difference in our ages.
Davis is entering his senior year in one of our nation’s premier private schools. He is doing course work in high school which barely existed when I was that age – Latin, Spanish, AP courses, along with calculus and the standard sciences – physics, chemistry and biology. He’ll be going to Greece and Peru this summer. His grades are generally in the 90’s. He is a state-ranked varsity wrestler.
I attended a public high school in New York City. There were no such things as AP courses. The closest I came to varsity athletics? Sports editor of the school newspaper. Summers following my sophomore, junior and senior years? Working as a dishwasher and breakfast cook at a French resort in the wilds of New Jersey.
Davis will be going to the college of his choice, unknown at this time. What we do know is Davis can go anywhere he chooses.
I was not slated for college at an early age. I did manage to win a New York State Regents scholarship; didn’t pay much, but would help with tuition. I looked into an Ivy League school, Columbia, but the only way I could manage tuition was to join Naval ROTC. Unfortunately, the vision requirement at that time was 20/20 without glasses. So much for the Ivy League. Fortunately, CCNY was available, and tuition free, for a world class education. Oh yes, I lived at home.
Since we have the power to end civilization with weapons of war, Davis does not need to concern himself with a draft. My son-in-law, Ed, is a retired Marine colonel. While his father graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, I don’t think Davis is considering this as a college option.
Like most males of my time, I faced a six year “military obligation”. Couldn’t get any physician to attest to fallen arches (unlike a recent and current Commander in Chief), so I had to select a means to address this. After enduring two years in Army ROTC, I decided the Army was not for me. With the draft bearing down, I enlisted in the U.S.Naval Reserve, and ultimately received a commission. Although this was the beginning of our involvement in Southeast Asia, I was assigned to ships in the Atlantic, and never went anywhere near the war. Was never shot at, and, in retrospect, had a fabulous time.
Our grandson’s generation is going to have to deal with the mess my generation has made of Planet Earth. Even if I could afford it, I can’t imagine taking out a 30-year mortgage on anything near oceanfront property. I’m sure these kids will come up with mitigating solutions to at least some of the existential problems we are leaving them with. I sure hope so.
Existential threats, then and now. Back in the day, we faced them, too. My childhood home was located within 5 or so miles from Ground Zero (thought to be Times Square in midtown Manhattan). The Soviet Union had become a nuclear power, and we school kids had to practice “Take Cover” drills. This consisted of crouching under our desks, covering our heads with our hands. Never mind that the typical classroom had an exterior wall which consisted of single-pane glass, almost floor to ceiling. I think it enjoyed western exposure…in the general direction of , yeah, Ground Zero! Oh, well….
Rogernarc 