I had an extended tour of duty in Okinawa in 1958 and was unable to bring my wife and children with me. After I had been overseas eight months, I received a letter from my seven-year-old son.

"Dear Dad," he wrote. "I guess Mom has told you we've got a new pop named John."

I was relieved to learn he had made a spelling error. He was referring to the recently named Pope John XXIII.