By Cindy Adams
For 16-year-old Jacob, it was a monumental moment when 101-year-old Rudolph Jennings walked into the gymnasium full of students. For the World War II veteran, it was the exact same. He had a lifetime of wisdom to share and a young generation eagerly waiting with questions. Decades separated them but they came prepared to meet in the middle.
Jacob may have been the most excited of all to hear from Mr. Jennings. He has his own plans to join the military and understands this man represents the "Greatest Generation." He instinctively knows there is value here.
"I was locked in," Jacob recalls. "I was so interested in how he navigated his life during that time in history, when people had similar struggles and were united in shared goals."
Mr. Jennings was born in Bluefield, West Virginia in 1923. He was a sergeant in the 405th Fighter Squadron, 9th Army Air Corps where he received a Sharpshooter Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Normandy and Rhineland Campaign Stars and European-African-Mid.East Theater Ribbons.
His degree was in accounting, but he had a love for communications, so he purchased WWYO Broadcasting in Pineville, WV. He served as both Mercer County Clerk and in the West Virginia House of Delegates. His experiences extended far beyond his military service.
Jacob learned about what was and what is, with technology possibly being the most significant difference. And Rudolph posed a question that Jacob could not forget: What would you do without the technology of today? Because, as Mr. Jennings explained, today's reality was purely science fiction for him and his peers.
Jacob's conclusion to Mr. Jennings question was, "Life would be harder, but we would probably build more character."
An excellent takeaway from a meeting in the middle. With such vast differences, a midpoint can be difficult to find. But this man and these students quickly discovered it, in part due to their mutual investment in one another. They were equally inquisitive, respectful and courageous in bridging the divide.
Jacob was impressed that Mr. Jennings would take an interest in the younger generation and make the effort to share what he has learned, particularly as it relates to his experiences in World War II, a very difficult period. No doubt, Mr. Jennings sensed the admiration when young Jacob asked him to sign his history book.
"I do my best to respect a veteran," Jacob said. "They deserve it, so that's what I will always do."
Clearly, there is much to be gained by meeting in the middle. Ask this 16-year-old. Ask this 101-year-old. Most likely, their answer is exactly the same.
