My Dad was WWII generation and met many WWII vets over the years, but no brass. One served as a guard at the Nuremberg trials. Dad was an electrician on the Aircraft Carrier Ticonderoga and made Chief. They were part of the force mustered by McArthur to retake the Phillipines.
In my career, I have interacted with some pretty heavy duty bankers in Southeast regional banks . . . very successful people. I had to be on my toes to operate in their arena . . . I was a regulator. They were very intelligent, accomplished people. But the hard-earned experience-based, problem solving wisdom of some of those farmers, though not born of education, often impressed me as being highly insightful and reasoned, yet down-to-earth and very valuable to living life. I am a better man to have known them and listen to what they had to say.
We’re definitely in agreement.
Regards-