Seekonk Celebrates 'The Greatest Generation'

Every year there are fewer and fewer people left from “The Greatest Generation," those who grew up during the Great Depression and later went on to fight in World War II.

Veterans Day is the one day a year where people feel compelled to say “thank you” to a veteran they may see walking by, but how many really know what they are saying thankful for?

Jason Ferreira of Rehoboth, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, believes that many people don’t really know why they should be thankful for veterans and why they should appreciate The Greatest Generation. As more and more veterans of World War II die, their experiences get lost as well as their wisdom.

“If it wasn’t for guys like them, there wouldn’t be guys like me,” said Ferreira, who spoke today at the Veterans Day celebration at

Ferreira grew up listening to his grandfather’s stories of hardship in the great depression and service in World War II. He also learned from his coaches, Boy Scout troop leaders, and other members of the community who, after serving their country, came home and continued to serve their communities.

“When people would panic, there would always be that veteran around to say “Calm down, it’s not that bad,” said Ferreira. “That’s something we’re missing today.”

Ferreira encouraged veterans to keep their documents and other information from their military days so their families can continue to learn about their experiences after they’re gone.

Ferreira shared his experience of researching both his grandfathers' war service histories. Her learned how one served with Roy Boehm, the first Navy SEAL, aboard the USS Duncan when it was sunk.

His other grandfather served in a tank division, and through his research he was actually able to find footage of his grandfather’s unit going through a field of destroyed German tanks.

Ferreira was also able to track down the surviving members of that tank division in 2004 and share the videos, photos and documents he was able to find. However, all those remaining members have now passed away, further illustrating how“The Greatest Generation is rapidly dwindling.

Ferreira wants to encourage others to research their family members’ military history and says many units have websites and there is a wealth of information on the internet. Additionally, the National Archives has a lot of material and requests for material can even be made online.

While Ferreira mainly spoke about the World War II generation, he also said, “Every man or woman that has put on a uniform and served their country in a time of crisis is the best of their generation.”