Alan Tatum's Letter to FDR

Charlie thrusts forth the fragile relic—Alan Tatum's own handwriting, dashed off at age nine to President Roosevelt, unearthed from a gutted Pittsburgh apartment's ruins, its envelope stamped with fresh postage and funneled through a clandestine presidential code that Bartlet deciphers with gleeful precision. Bartlet snatches it close, wonder exploding across his face as fingers trace childish strokes, then herds the beaming Tatums—Dr. Ted and 89-year-old Alan—toward Oval Office glory for snapshots and stories.

1 appearances

Purpose

Childhood correspondence routed to the White House via secret presidential mail protocols

Significance

Ignites Bartlet's unbridled delight, weaving generational awe around FDR's legacy and New Hampshire roots, delivers tender respite amid crises through father-son presidential bond that humanizes the Oval's weight.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S3E18 · Enemies Foreign and Domestic

Bartlet Bonds Heartwarmingly with Tatums Over Unearthed FDR Letter

Charlie vividly recounts Alan Tatum's fragile childhood letter to FDR—written at age nine, featuring Tom Farley's connection, unearthed from demolished apartment with restored postage—as the event's emotional core, triggering revelations, code confirmation, banter, photos, and extended storytelling; it symbolizes enduring citizen-presidency bonds amid crises.

Before: In Charlie's possession, recently routed via code

After: Revered artifact, basis for ongoing Oval discussion

View full event