Mary Ellen and Erin arrive at their home with a letter from John Boy, and just in time to see Ben and Ike rehearsing an act which they plan to audition for the USO. The letter from John Boy, who is based in London and is now writing for the "Stars and Stripes" newspaper. John Boy mentions that he is concerned about his old college friend, Mike Paxton, who has been injured during the war, but has not written back to him. As Mike has been transferred to a hospital near Richmond, Mary Ellen decides to find out what she can about Mike's condition. She discovers him in a wheel chair, and his doctor tells her that Mike is ready to leave hospital but is very concerned about other people's reactions to him. Mary Ellen suggests that he come to stay at Waltons Mountain with her family.