The Greatest Generation                                                                                                                             A Day                           B Day

Assignment 1	Generations -Heroes	1/26	1/27
Assignment 2	Women in Uniform and Out-Love, Marriage and Commitment	2/9	2/10
Assignment 3	Famous People-Twilight of Their Lives	2/24	2/25

Directions: Answer the following questions in your own handwriting. Expect a quiz on the question due dates.

Generations

1.       What are the 4 personal values held by this generation? Which, if any, do you see slipping in America? Defend your opinion.

The Time of Their Lives

1.       Brokaw mentions 3 presidents, Coolidge, Hoover and Roosevelt.  Summarize  (in your words) how he feels about each. What can you add to each description?

Ordinary People

1.       How does Thomas Broderick lose his sight? What does he, and others, lament about today’s generation?

2.       How did American POWs on the train save themselves?

3.       What is killing Van Gorder’s love of medicine? How can you relate this to education?

4.       Do you agree with Ko’s stament regarding effort? Is he qualified to make that statement? Explain?

5.       How did Dowling’s military experience fit him for various jobs/projects in his civilian life?

6.       Is Dowling’s view positive or negative about the current generation? Explain.

7.       Hammond says that God was on our side. What is your take on this claim? How would atheists revise that statement?

8.       How did tensions develop between Kilmer and his sons? How are each a reflection of their times? What would you suppose to be Kilmer’s reaction to Texas v. Johnson?

9.       What does Larson claim to be lost on the younger generation? Do you agree? Provide evidence to support your answer.

10.   The men of Kerry Corner lament changes in our society (school policies, work, patriotic holidays). Do you think laws and norms have changed for the better or for the worse? Defend.

Home Front

1.       For what reason did Boeing look to hire farm boys?

2.       What happened to the first test flight of the B-29?

3.       What was the irony of Haener’s experience in the UAW? What career  fields do you think might carry gender discrimination today? Explain.

Heroes

1.       What is your definition of a hero? Does Bob Bush meet this definition? Why?

2.       What about Foss’s story leaves the greatest impression upon you. Why?

3.       With what in “Saving Private Ryan” does Lomell dispute pertaining to accuracy?

Women in Uniform and Out

1.       Read the stories of Hallaren and Holm.  How does military experience carry over into society? Should women serve in combat? Explain.

2.       Nittle, Lingelback and Campbell share concerns over which issue?

3.       Under what persuation did “Hap” Arnold form the WASPs? When and how did the WASPs gain vet status?

4.       Why does Mary Louise Wilson believe her reasons for volunteering to be “corny?” Describe the demeanor of nurse when dealing with patients.

Shame

1.       What similarities exist between Martha Settle Putney’s story and that of the Delaney sisters?

2.       Read the Holmes story.  Which instance of discrimination do you find most shocking? Defend. How does he feel about welfare? How does he compare racial hatred toward blacks to that od Nazis against Jews?

3.       What does Armijo feel is wrong with education today? Do you agree? What would you change if you were in charge of reinventing America’s educational system?

4.       Read the stories of Takasugi and Mineta. What other groups were targeted for removal from American society but had the order rescinded?

Love, Marriage and Commitment

1.       Describe the views of the Assenzios on women’s liberation and divorce.

2.       Who were the Dumbos? How did this generation view materialism? Compare to today.

3.       Where did the Nelson’s finally solidify their relationship? Why might there have been reluctance to  enter into relationships?

4.       Read the stories of Norton and Cavin. What happened at Nijmegen for the Gagnes? How did Daphne get to “see” her husband’s grave?

Famous People

1.       How does George Bush Sr. feel about his military service? How do you view his censorship duty? Necessary or a violation of rights? Explain.

2.       What does Bradlee say that he learned about men’s abilities?

3.       What kind of marine was Buchwald? Describe his relationship to Pete Bonardi through time.

4.       How does Rooney feel about special treatment of veterans?

5.       How was working for the OSS opening up doors for Julia Child?

6.       What connections doe Elion have with the Triangle? What are her thoughts on career and family for women? What is your opinion on the topic?

7.       Summarize why Smith earned the nickname of “Captain Smith.” Do you agree?

8.       Read the stories of Neuharth and Greenberg. What message is the author trying to send young people with the life stories of these men?

The Arena

1.       What is your opinion of Hatfield as a politician? Why?

2.       Why dod you think that Bob Dole had a hard time dealing with Vietnam protestors? Given his circumstances, how would you react if you were Bob Dole?

3.        List at least 3 instances of prejudice Inouye faced. How does he react to discrimination?

4.       According to Weinberger, what are the two biggest factors for troop morale? Why was defense spending so important during the 1980s?

5.       According to Cutler, what validated distrust of Russia? Why were some against the use of The Bomb?

6.       What is the evidence of Shultz’s honesty? Schlesinger remarks that some future crisis will rally the country. Choose two major events from the past decade in which the US has played a central role.  Have these events served to rally or divide Americans? Explain.

7.       What does Guthman’s story reveal about the Un-American Activities Committee?

Twilight

1.       What is Brokaw’s concern regarding special interest groups?