“Gentlemen, I had a rather long speech to deliver to you this evening. But less than one hour ago I received a... message. A message that, I feel, expresses the ideals of the Ring, far better than any words I could command. With your permission, I would like to read it to you. "To General Bentley Durrell, Commander, Carolina Military Institute. General; It is with the deepest sadness that I must inform you of the death of your son, Jack. He was killed in a practicing parachute descent. It may help you to know that it was a simple accident, that no one was at fault, and that your boy suffered no pain. He was a fine soldier. Considerate, intelligent, and always attentive to his duty." [Raising his glass in a toast] Gentlemen, the Ring.”
