I'll take a poke. There are many things but one of the standouts is the WW II generation. Tough, tough characters with grit, determination, and fortitude. I respect their self-sacrifice in volunteering by droves to defeat Fascism in Japan, Germany, and Italy. After the war, despite the incredible loss of life and sacrifice, our nation was magnanimous enough to rebuild Japan and Germany via the Marshal Plan which led former enemies to become steadfast allies and helped construct an enduring peace in the Pacific and Western Europe.
How many countries would sacrifice so much to defeat a formidable adversary then turn around and help those foes rebuild their countries?
A big contrast to how Great Britain and France treated their former foe Germany after WW I. We know that the treatment of Germany with the punitive conditions of the Versailles treaty by the victorious European powers led directly to the rise of fascism in Germany between the wars and is arguably the cause of WWII.
Our country will be much poorer in spirit as The Greatest Generation gradually passes into history.
Standing proudly with my hand across my chest singing the national anthem and getting a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat every time, that right there is called freedom. Proud to be an American and a Veteran.