https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2012/08/30/letters-to-and-from-the-dead/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 06:36:18 -0400<![CDATA[American Presidents in their role as father to the nation and commander in chief of the armed force must inevitably write a lot of letters to the families of the dead. Most of these are routine, though some have acquired a political, or a least a curiosity value over time. President Lincoln&#8217;s letter to Civil War mother Lydia Bixby commiserating on the loss of her sons was read to great dramatic effect in the movie Saving Private Ryan, both to illustrate the depth of sacrifice of Mrs. Bixby and the humanity of the Great Emancipator. It is however possible however that not all of Mrs. Bixby&#8217;s sons reported dead actually perished and that Lincoln actually did not write the letter.]]>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:11:06 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2012/08/30/letters-to-and-from-the-dead-n191935