2006.8.11

Jimmy,

Please pardon my informal greeting, but I feel that we are old friends of the Carter family,
and from what my mother, Jeanne O’Hern Heyser, tells me, we are friends of the family.

My name is David Noel Lynch, and my middle name is taken from my great grand father Noel Emmitt O’Hern of Parrott Georgia.
My mother’s rumor has it that Emmitt was a friend of your father.

Over the past three years, I have focused my waking moments on the creation of a story that documents my heritage.
Most of my efforts have been focused on the Lynch side since the Atlanta History Center
has a wealth of information pertaining to their role in the foundation of the great city of Atlanta.

The history of the Lynch family in Atlanta gives me a tremendous amount of information to draw from as I create my life’s story.
For example, during the fall of Atlanta on 1864.9.2, my family disregarded the orders to evacuate the city.

Driven by faith, my great, great, great, Uncle Patrick Lynch solicited the help of Father O’Riley of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church,
and they overcame the odds against them to negotiate the salvation of not only their church but that of several other churches in the Atlanta area.

As an indicator to the depth of Patrick’s faith, the Cathedral of Christ the King on Peachtree Street
has a stained glass window depicting Patrick Lynch kneeling in worship with the acknowledgment that he held the first Catholic mass in Atlanta.
Patrick used his home for worship until the Immaculate Conception was built.

As if history had not given me enough material to work with,
on father’s day 2003 my father advised me that the Lynch family is related to Ernesto "Che" Guevara.
My father told me that while doing research in Ireland, he found documentation
that half of the Lynch clan came to North America and half went to South America.

Performing a little due diligence, I found that Che in fact did have Lynch blood in his veins.
His mother was a Lynch. So I began to integrate Che into my story. While shocked by some of the methods used in his attempts to accomplish his goals,
I did find that deep down inside there was a man that helped people to learn by building schools and he helped people to live by building make shift hospitals.

Finding information on the Lynch family in Atlanta and on Che is very easy,
but to find information on the O’Hern family in Parrott is all but impossible.
This is what leads me to you.

Do you remember a friend of your father named Emmitt O’Hern from Parrott Georgia?

If you do, would you jot down a little bit about him. What did he look like?
Was he just an acquaintance, or we they say fishing buddies? Did they talk politics?

Any information would be much appreciated. Even a no I did not know him would help.

You and I crossed path at a book signing for the Hornet’s nest back in January of 2004 at Discover Mills.
When I passed before you, I said, "Ernesto Guevara is my cousin." You said, "Pardon me"

My annunciation of Guevara was incorrect back then. I restated that Ernesto Guevara is my cousin, and you said, "Oh Really."

I said, "I am sure that he would have enjoyed your book." You smiled as you continued to sign the books placed in front on you.

Content that I had just gotten a presidential smile and pardon, I went on my way.

Never did I think that I would craft a letter to you asking if your father knew my great grand father Noel Emmitt O’Hern, but here it is.

If you did know my great grand father, it would be of great honor to met Rosalyn and yourself.
My mother Jeanne O’Hern Heyser is with the Georgia Garden Club and has met you a couple of times.
Twice she had her photo taken with the both of you, and twice the photos did not turn out.

If time grants us the breath to do so, I would love to take that photo for my mother. I will use a digital camera so we can see the results on the spot.

As great Americans go, you are one of the best.
Just maybe it has something to do with the South Georgia values and morals that your parents instilled in you as a boy.
There is no doubt in my mind that much of my integrity comes from the teachings of my grand father Colquitt Logan O’Hern.

Logan taught me that words have many meanings, and that actions are what people remember about you most.
Standing at Three Mile Island is one action I will remember of you the most.

You stood with the American people then,
as you now stand in the best interest of the people of the world through your writings on the current affairs.

Regards,
David Noel Lynch