05/25/2026
On Memorial Day, we pause to remember the people who gave the ultimate sacrifice, not as distant names in history books, but as real people with families, hopes, fears, and futures they never got to live.
In 1944, our Executive Director’s grandfather, Gordon, wrote a letter to his wife before his first mission, to be mailed only if he did not return.
He came back from that first mission. On his second, he and the rest of his plane crew went missing after ditching somewhere in the Pacific. He was 26.
Sharing this letter has become something of a Memorial Day tradition, because few words capture the meaning of this day with more clarity:
“Teach the children to love good music and books, and teach them tolerance, and to love and enjoy the people in the world.”
_ _
22 Dec. 1944
Dearest Muriel,
I've just finished writing a letter to you, and did not mention that I'm going on a raid tomorrow. It will be our first and I was sitting here when I realized that on one of these raids I may not come back, so I'm going to write this letter, and not seal it, but will put it in an envelope and just leave it here to be mailed if I don't return.
I don't know whether I'm frightened or not but down deep I feel excited, and to be truthful, a little scared. The flights have not been too bad as far as fighters + flak are concerned, but they are there, and it's a very long flight. In fact, most of our losses + casualties have been caused by planes running out of gas, or having a failure of some kind, + then having to ditch before they can get back. So even if I'm reported missing, don't worry too much at first, because the percentage of rescues are high.
This is the letter than will discuss what we have always avoided talking about, and will never be sent unless the worst has happened, I'll talk freely and honestly.
First, I want you to know I loved you above everything else, and that I was so proud and glad to have you be the mother of my children, as I was of the wonderful kids they are. I know I don't leave you much in the way of material things, but there's enough to care for you with. And I flatter myself to think that you have some memories to keep always. I know I always have had.
Perhaps this is not the letter I would like to have written, but it's hard to really say what I mean. But don't bury yourself after I'm gone. Or now that I'm gone. You're a lovely and desirable woman, and it's your nature to love and be loved. Time will probably resolve this problem for you. All I want to do is say that I want you to marry again, and you have all my blessing and love. What we had is something that belonged to us alone and always, and it can never be changed or lost now. And Mu, try to see my mother after, and make as much as you can, the rest of her life a little better. I know that you'll do this anyway but want to mention it. I won't write separately to her, but if I come back tomorrow, I will then. If I don't, tell her I love her dearly, and that she was everything to me a mother could have been. I only wish that I had been a better son to her, and more of a comfort and aid. For that matter, I only wish too, that I had been a better husband to you, and had cared for you + sheltered you, better than I did.
I'll say nothing about what I think I'm fighting for. The truth is quite simple, I suppose just that we're in a war, and it's my duty to be in it , too. If I die doing, I'll have died for a good cause, which is our good country.
Teach the children to love good music and books, and teach them tolerance, and to love and enjoy the people in the world. Tell them sometimes that their father wasn't a bad guy, and that I would have loved to see them, and help them, grow up. Little Deedee + Tommy will be a great comfort to you, but also a burden as well. I wish you luck with them, and happiness too, and as always, say hello to all, and give Dede her due, and Tommy the same.
I loved you more than I could ever tell you, dearest, and if there is a life thereafter, which I believe, I'll talk God into letting me watch over and care for you in this one. Be happy, my love, and stay as good as you are, and think sometimes of your Gordon. ###
