[drumroll]
- Male narrator: My dear, dear Mother,
John's loss, I suppose, was the hardest thing
that ever happened to me.
To begin with, he was my only brother.
He was so much younger that he was like a son.
And in addition, he was the same as a great friend.
I know what it means to you to have John gone,
and just how calmly you are taking it outwardly,
and how deeply you feel inwardly.
[bell tolling]
He lies among many comrades in France.
I've employed a farmer
to keep flowers growing on his grave always.
I am in excellent health,
and command all our air troops on the line.
Your affectionate son, William "Billy" Mitchell,
June 26th, 1918, France.
[gentle flute music]