A Letter From The Publisher: Dec. 20, 1963

THE leading story in this week's issue talks of death and renewal —of a death that cannot be forgotten, and of a life that must go on. Short weeks ago, one event dominated everything. It still echoes—but the weight of other issues and places is felt again—the settling-in of the new Administration, the troubles of NATO, a kidnaping in Nevada and another in Bolivia.

South Viet Nam, uncertain under its new military junta, requires a new look on the scene by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara—and gets another in advance from TIME Correspondent Murray Gart, who flew on 26 helicopter missions in five...