For many Americans who were born during the time of World War II, “war babies,” we grew up with a narrative about our country that was distinct and dramatic. The might of our ideals of freedom and democracy, of “liberty and justice for all,” of our political system, our economy and our citizen-military power, made America the “leader of the free world.”
We defeated Hitler and liberated the concentration camps. We made peace with our enemies and supported them in rebuilding their shattered nations into thriving democracies. We supported the founding of the United Nations, and the institutions of an international world order with the aim of insuring a stable, peaceful, prosperous world.
We were “the land of opportunity.” We were the destination for immigrants from around the world seeking a better life. For many of us it was personal: our parents or grandparents or great-grandparents had risked everything to come here, and created that better life.