<p>Jon Rombach</p>

Ive been hanging out with all the generations lately. Been interviewing folks of The Greatest Generation while collecting oral histories from World War II as part of the upcoming exhibit at the Josephy Center this month. Just went on a delightful whitewater rafting trip through Hells Canyon with members of the Also Pretty Great Generation, represented by the Enterprise High School Class of 2014 graduating seniors. The generation currently in elementary school is no slouch either, judging by the great kids I met last week while helping with the Enterprise Elementary Decathlon Day. And, crimony, I just met a new friend only a few weeks old, Britton Arentsen, and I think its early yet to rule out greatness for that little guy. Doesnt talk a whole lot, but seems cordial enough.

I dont dispute Tom Brokaws reasoning one bit for recognizing the mettle of those who went through the Great Depression with a capital G and D, then rallied to fight the second World War. Its just tough to talk about other generations when the conversation starts: Well, youre not the greatest. Ill tell you that right now.

Mr. Brokaw is right about unprecedented challenges being met by collective effort as a generation faced degrees of crisis and sacrifice on a scale America hasnt seen the likes of since. Theres sure enough been more crisis and sacrifice. A local friend comes to mind, who made it back from Vietnam but is still fighting through heart surgeries linked to Agent Orange. Another Wallowa County friend is recently home from fighting in Afghanistan, carrying shrapnel in his back as a reminder. Maybe the next Greatest Generation can lay claim to the title by conquering the problem of how we can all get along. Not likely, but wouldnt that be nice.

Ive been hearing stories from World War II veterans, wives of soldiers and sailors and those who pitched in on the home front. Part of my job is to ask how going through WWII changed their outlook on things. It was a different time, is how several of those answers have started. And you did what you had to do.

Other questions suggested by the Veterans History Project, the Library of Congress oral history program were using as a guide, ask what impact their experiences during WWII had on their views of war and the military in general. Also what message you would like to leave for future generations who may listen to the recording. Duty is a word that comes up pretty regular in the responses. Another common reflection is how post traumatic stress wasnt even a concept back in those days. You toughed it out. And if you made it home from the war, the standard method to handle what youd gone through was to continue toughing it out.

Alvin Josephy, namesake of the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture and the Josephy Library, was a Marine Corps combat correspondent in World War II. Josephys book The Long and the Short and the Tall: Marines in Combat on Guam and Iwo Jima is a collection of eyewitness accounts well worth reading.

The World War II exhibit at the Josephy Center opens Friday, June 6, and runs through the month, showcasing photographs, artifacts like ration books, uniforms and other memorabilia from the time. Personal accounts from community members who recall what life was like during World War II, both home and abroad, can be heard in person during the Memory Exchange on Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, from 11-4. Copies of the interviews with Wallowa County residents who remember World War II will be distributed to the Wallowa County Museum, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and the Josephy Center.

Its been a real privilege to be one of the interviewers recording stories from that different time and Im looking forward to the exhibit. See you there.

Jon Rombach is a local columnist for the Chieftain.