I am a child of immigrants to the United States of America. In general, the immigrant generation had a hardworking, no nonsense attitude about life and a strong hakaras hatov (gratitude) to this wonderful country, a true medina shel chesed. Recent historians and pundits have labeled this group “The Greatest Generation“ for having successfully endured the adjustment to the new country, survived the economic hardships of the Great Depression, fought and won World War II, and then became part of creating the greatest post-war economic boom in American history.

Did you ever hear a young child say he wants to be a fireman when he grows up? Why a fireman? Frankly, I do not know, but take a look at what the Baltimore City Fire Department just announced: The Baltimore Sun, in a front page story in the December 3, 2012 issue, reported that the Baltimore City Fire Department will begin requiring a formal college level education in order to be a fireman and/or to be promoted within the Fire Department. Amazing! You will now have to go to college to get a job in a typical blue collar