Context Is Everything

For a couple decades, I have railed against terms like, elderly, senior citizen, and especially geezer when referring to older adults. Well, tonight I received an email from the father of the man who saved my life in Viet Nam. The email was entitled, Proud to be a Geezer! In this context, I have no problem with the term and think it is a pretty good descriptor of later life values - expecially when the world view is shared by a member of what Tom Brokaw called the Greatest Generation. In tribute to my dear friend, Frank Vavrin, I share his message:

"Geezers" (slang for an old man) are easy to spot:
At sporting events, during the playing of the National Anthem, Old Geezers remove their caps and stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them

Old Geezers remember the Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal,Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War 1950-53-55, The Cold War, the jet age, and the moon landing, the 50 plus Peacekeeping Missions from 1945 to 2005, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing, not to mention Vietnam.

If you bump into an Old Geezer on the sidewalk, he will apologize.

If you pass an Old Geezer on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady.
Old Geezers trust strangers and are courtly to women.

Old Geezers hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.

Old Geezers get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth on TV or in movies.
Old Geezers have moral courage. They seldom brag unless it's about their grandchildren.

It's the Old Geezers who know our great country is protected, not by politicians or police, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country.

This country needs Old Geezers with their decent values.

We need them now more than ever!
Thank God for Old Geezers!

Comments

[Jann Freed]

I appreciate your website and blog. Thanks for sharing. Are you familiar with the Warren Bennis book on Geeks and Geezers? Jann

[JJ]

Wow! This is really good...you know you make a great comment. In my banking classes, we often talk about perks on "senior Citizen" accounts-- and it's up to the bank on our software to deem what they "count" as a Senior-- usually you see this as 60... I personally have an issue with this as my father is 60 and mom is not far behind...so in my book I will keep pushing it out five to ten years at a time : ) because MY parents are NOT Senior Citizens!!

Love ya Dad!!

[JJ]

Wow! This is really good...you know you make a great comment. In my banking classes, we often talk about perks on "senior Citizen" accounts-- and it's up to the bank on our software to deem what they "count" as a Senior-- usually you see this as 60... I personally have an issue with this as my father is 60 and mom is not far behind...so in my book I will keep pushing it out five to ten years at a time : ) because MY parents are NOT Senior Citizens!!