When we think of the days of our childhood, the carefree days with our parents and family, we feel a lump in our throats. The late George Bernard Shaw is quoted as having remarked that the trouble with childhood is that it is being wasted on children. On the surface it appears that childhood constitutes the most wonderful period in life. No worries and no cares, no disappointments and no heartaches. If we were to study the emotions of frustrated children, measure their tears and feel their heartaches when they cannot have their way, we would reach the conclusion that the years of childhood are not as rosy as we picture them.
Statistics prove that the most dangerous missions in war are carried out best by the young.
It is the young warrior who usually wins the Congressional Medal of Honor. During the war young soldiers took hand grenades, placed them in their bosom and threw themselves under enemy tanks, and were blown to bits. This is characteristic of the devotion and idealism of youth. It is no exaggeration to say that young people have it in their power to move mountains and to shape worlds. This is the positive side of the picture.