Subject: Re: from Ryan D'Agostino at Popular Mechanics
From: "D'Agostino, Ryan H" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2016 20:27:33 +0000

Hunter,
I have been thinking about the conversation I had with you and your father a lot over the past 48 hours. On Sunday morning, our six-year-old son, Bennett, had a sudden massive brain hemorrhage and had to be airlifted for immediate surgery. He has since been diagnosed with leukemia. The situation is critical, and as I write this, Bennett is fighting for his life.
You know better than most people how hard something like this is. But I wanted you to know how much I've been replaying your words and your father's words in my mind. I learned from you both that day about the essential power of a strong family, and my wife and I are learning that again now.
I already know that when we get through this, I'm going to institute the wild card rule for both my boys. It's a rule every family should have.
I hope it's okay to write to you about this. I just wanted to thank you both, really, for sharing what you did with me that day. I thought you'd like to know that it's coming in handy right now.

Ryan

__
Ryan D'Agostino
Editor in chief
Popular Mechanics
(m) 646-526-7743

On Apr 5, 2016, at 9:24 AM, "[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:

Ryan-
It was a great day- we both really enjoyed it. Col. Kevin O'Connor (US Army) and Col. John Flynn (US Air Force) were the guys who said that. They both travel with Dad everywhere for the past seven years- Kevin is the WH doctor for the VP and John was VP Military aid and is now personal aid. Kevin was the one who approached you.

As for the WH visit just give me some advance notice and we will make it happen.

Again, thanks for including us in the June issue it was really our honor. Best, Hunter

RHB
202-333-1880

On Apr 5, 2016, at 8:44 AM, D'Agostino, Ryan H <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>> wrote:

Hunter,
I can't begin to tell you what an honor and a pleasure it was to talk with you and your father the other day. I was grateful for your time, and your candor, and your willingness to talk at length about the most deeply personal subject, family. It was an inspiring conversation, and I'm really proud to be able to share it with our readers.

One question: When we were walking over to the photo shoot, your father's doctor told me that working for your father has made him a better dad to his daughters. He wanted me to make sure it was okay with you that I use that. Also, I didn't get his name. (I can also check this with Meghan.) He seemed like a great guy.

Lastly, I promised I would take you up on your kind offer to show us around the White House sometime. We would love to do that with our boys. Is there a particular time over the next few months that would work well for you? We can pull the kids out of school for this any time (wildcard), and summer is good too.

Thank you again, Hunter.

All best,
Ryan

--
Editor in Chief
Popular Mechanic