Edna expresses disappointment that her son is not in the photo Lucille sent. She says she has heard from all the other next-of-kin except one. She muses on the little information she knows about her son's military service and comments that she still has not received any off his personal effects. She wonders whether Lucille has ever been asked to settle Jimmy's estate, a process which she calls "red tape." She doubts whether George is actually dead without proof. The mothers swap photographs of their sons.
Edna outlines the chronology from the time she received notice that her son was missing in action to the time she received the list of crew members killed in action and Lucille's letter at almost the same time. She says her son never gave out any information or sent any photos, so she is glad to have more information. She begs Lucille for any additional photos or information she may have and expresses her solidarity as another mother of a missing soldier. She promises to send any updates she receives.
Hazel informs Lucille that she has read and forwarded the Christmas card to her son John who is a fighter pilot stationed in the South Pacific. She emphasizes how sad she and John were to hear that Jimmy is missing. She informs Lucille that John is not returning home until at least March. She expresses solidarity as another mother of a soldier and encourages Lucille to have courage and to hold out hope for Jimmy's return.
Looking north at a three-story brick building. Durant was first named Brayton after its founder Benjamin Brayton. The name was later changed to Durant after Thomas C. Durant, one of the pioneers of the Transcontinental Railroad and an individual who contributed the bulk of funds needed to build the town's first public school. 1912 postmark.
