Free Posterity by Dorie McCullough Lawson Page B

is my farewell to you my dear boy—which I know you will take very seriously and all your life I hope you will try to follow what I ask you to do.
    When you reach manhood I will be only a vague memory to you—like a dream it will be. But now I am a very real factor in your life. Your sweet mother can tell you how I adore you. But even she does not realize the depth of my affection for you. You are everything a son should be—devoted, unselfish, thoughtful, generous and honorable with an unusual sense of justice. You have I am very thankful to say many of your mothers traits.
    Your mother has been perfect to you absolutely devoted, unselfish and untiring where you are concerned. She has sacrificed herself for you ever since you were born and what I like most about you is that you appreciate her and love her above everything. You call her “sweet mommie” and every day when you return from playing outside you bring her something. When you walk with her you walk outside—nearest the street—to protect her from automobiles. You help her across the street and warn her not to stumble over stones, etc. Those little things my boy show that you are made of the right stuff. It is infinitely gratifying to me that you have sense enough and character enough to appreciate your mother. You have made her very happy. She may not need your help now but if I do not come back home she will need your help—you will have to take my place as much as you can.
    I have loved your mother since we were little children and I have never known her to do an unkind or unjust thing. She is the sweetest, purest human being I have ever known or have ever heard of. She is an angel—too good I am afraid for this world. My boy I worship her. She is the kind who never hesitates to sacrifice herself for those she loves and then think nothing of it nor look for credit.
    Youth is cruel and thoughtless and has little consideration for age, but I believe you will be an exception to this rule. I believe that you will always try to help your mother over the rough places just as you would like to do even now as a child. She is very, very proud of you and so don't let shadow or stain ever darken your name. Anything dishonorable that you would do would break her heart.
    Whatever comes up you will find her the best sport you have ever known. I have never met a man whose sense of fair play and sportsmanship equaled hers. She is a thoroughbred—every inch of her.
    My last words to you my boy are to beg you to concentrate on your life to two things—first to understand, cherish and protect you mother—and secondly to emulate her in all matters. model yourself as much as you can after her for she is the finest person in the world.
    Don't forget the small attentions. Don't stop bringing her things when you go away and come back to her. If you marry for Gods sake dont select a woman who will not like your mother or who might come in between you and her. Women are jealous of each other—specially a wife of a mother. Do not marry too hastily.
    Your mother has an extraordinarily logical mind so you cannot go wrong if you will always take her advise. I have done so as a rule and she has never made a mistake.
    Dickie old boy do what your mother wants you to do. She is the only one in the world who will advise you with only your own good in view. But don't let her be too unselfish with you as she has with me.
    And so my boy I will end where I began—follow your mothers advise and try to make yourself as much as possible like her with her great sense of honor. She is the very soul of honor.
    Remember always that whatever she does is right. She can do no wrong. You and I want her happiness more than anything else in the world. Therefore
whatever
she may do to make her happy you must back up whole heartedly.
    Always put honor and your mother first. Goodbye my darling boy.
    Your devoted father
Richard E. Byrd Jr.

    On May 9, 1926,