We "Greatest Generation" types never heard of or saw female Army generals, but this is a new - and in many ways, better - era.

A fine example of that is the commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. Maria Britt of Conyers.

The West Point graduate was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2007 to command the state's Army Guard, and has stayed busy since. She took time out from her busy duties to address the Marietta Rotary Club this month, and spent much of her address sharing her life's story.

She comes from a military family. Her husband of 25 years, Timothy Britt, is also a brigadier general in the Georgia Army National Guard and returned July 4 from a 10-month deployment with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Kabul, Afghanistan.

"I am very proud of what he did to further peace in the region," she said.

Their oldest daughter graduated from Kennesaw State University last year with an early childhood teaching degree and now teaches at a Catholic school in Boston. Their middle daughter, Chelsea, is attending Georgia Tech majoring in bio-medical engineering and pre-med. Their youngest is 12 and going into seventh grade.

"She's a pro at Guitar Hero and now knows more Aerosmith songs than me," Gen. Britt joked. The Britts' military family legacy began in earlier generations.

"I have had the honor of a belonging to a family with a proud history of service," she told the club. "My grandparents had the courage to leave Italy in the early 1900s before World War II and the Depression, with little money in their pockets and no security for their future. It's hard to fathom the risk that they took to create a better life for their children and grand children. I am truly grateful to them and owe them much!"

She recounted how her Uncle Louie was stationed in the Fiji Islands in the South Pacific during World War II as a machinist repairing crew-served weapons.

"He's still known as the family jokester," she recalled. "When I was promoted to colonel he sent me a card that said, 'Don't expect me to butter you up, now that you're a colonel!' There's more. When I got promoted to general he told me he still outranks me because he's a general - a general disaster!"

The general's Uncle Archie served in the Merchant Marine during WWII, ferrying military equipment to ports in Great Britain, France, North Africa and the Soviet Union.

"He made 10 runs across the Atlantic dodging German U-boats," she said "When he was asked why he was so dedicated to the cause, he replied, 'Someone had to get the beer to the Army!' What a generation!"

"Outside of my military career, my parents were the single greatest influence in my life," she added.

"My parents were strict, yet loving, always wanting me to do my best. It was a good preparation for the military way of life. They are mostly responsible for the woman I am today," she said.

"And when I get a little down, I just have to go by their house; we live in the same subdivision now, and see what the latest loving argument is about.

"In fact, last night they had just gotten back from golfing together. If you've ever golfed with your spouse you know it's normally not a pleasant experience. My Mom was discussing death like we often do, but I wasn't sure who was dying first this time, her or my dad.

"Then she said, 'If I were to die, and you remarried, would the two of you live in this house?' My dad said, 'I suppose so, it's paid for.' 'Well how about my car, would you let her drive it?' Mom continued, and I knew where this discussion was going! Dad said 'I suppose. It's paid for too.'

"In exasperation she said, 'What about my golf clubs? Would you let her use them, too?' Dad stopped and said, 'Heck no! She's left handed!'"

The Georgia Army National Guard has more than 9,000 citizen-soldiers, the 13th-largest Guard in the country. It operates out of 90 armories in 73 communities around the state.

"From the American Revolution to the global war on terrorism, American soldiers have always been willing to put their 'boots on the ground' and fight for the freedoms and the way of life we enjoy - the democratic way of life!" she told the club.

"Our all-volunteer force is doing the heavy lifting for our nation, and many are paying the ultimate price to defend freedom in the 21st century. Freedom is certainly not free!

This global war on terror is one of the most dangerous periods in our history, yet our young people continue to volunteer in record numbers and answer the call to duty.

"These men and women are the strength of our nation," she said. "They are the ultimate instrument of national resolve. Our soldiers have 'boots on the ground' in almost 80 countries around the world.

"We serve because we believe in something greater than ourselves. Something worth dying for - the prize of freedom.

"So today, let us reflect on the common thread, the character of the generations of brave soldiers who have put their 'boots on the ground' in defense of American ideals.

"On behalf of over one million soldiers of the United States Army, thank you for your continued support. God bless our soldiers and their families and may he continue to bless our great nation."

Associate editor Bill Kinney's column runs on Sundays.