Apr 24, 2018 2 min read

Last week, I visited the “We Can Do It!” exhibit about Western Pennsylvanians’ contributions to the World War II effort both overseas and on the home front. This is a joint project of the Fayette County Historical Society and the Heinz History Center. Two thoughts came to my mind.

First, it is amazing to see how the country united to battle a common threat to freedom and democracy. Everyone from senior citizens down to schoolkids did their part at home to aid the effort. But the biggest burden was borne by young men and women — many just out of high school — who were sent half a world away to battle the Axis and the Rising Sun powers. It brought a lump to my throat to read the stories and to see the photos and letters of members of the Greatest Generation from our area.

Secondly, I couldn’t help but wonder whether we today could ever match that commitment and resolve. It seems we can’t even agree on who the enemies of democracy are. It saddens me to think how this country spends more energy fighting among ourselves than we do against external threats. I sincerely hope that all citizens of the United States will step back and focus on the first word of our country’s name.

I highly recommend going to see the exhibit. It runs until May 20 at the Abel Colley Tavern & Museum, 7083 National Pike, between Uniontown and Brownsville.

Bernie Quarrick

Uniontown