The letter home from April 16th was short and included an insert from an unknown publication. Sometimes we got the Army Times, but I don’t think the saved pages were from there. It did, however, contain a story about how helicopters were used in Viet Nam. Anyway, the letter starts; “Dear Mom. Just a little letter in answer to the one I received from you today. Sorry to hear John’s – no, not John’s, whatever his name is who promised you a boat ride – Anyway! Sorry to hear it was a failure. Better luck next time. Keep your feet dry. That’s a good way to catch Pneumonia.” Today I wish I had looked at these letters while mom was still alive so I could ask her about references like the one above. I think as we age, memories become more important and for me the events mentioned in my letters that I can’t remember weigh heavily on me. Could just be melancholy today.
“I guess I told you about all your packages a couple of letters ago. I haven’t received your 2 latest ones plus the 2nd one from Mrs. Parker. They’ll probably be waiting for me next time we go into an LZ. The battalion’s moving again in a few days, so that will mean a new LZ. I don’t know the name. It will be about 10 miles north of here – working back toward the Phuoc Vinh area so I understand, but we’re still attached to the Tay Ninh area.”
“Things are pretty quiet. This morning we took a few mortar rounds. Last night we found a big rice cache so the gooks had us pinpointed pretty well, but their aim was off and no one was hurt. It sure is a hell of a way to earn a living.” Mortars were pretty frightening. You could hear the whumph of the rounds leaving the tubes, but you had no idea where they were going to land until the first round hit. Then those firing the rounds did what we called “walked” the rounds in the direction or area where they thought we were.
“Enclosed is a little article about our Division and the helicopter support. It may help you understand how we operate a little better. Don’t believe all that crap about the ice cream, though. We haven’t seen ice cream in over a month. Lately they have been getting milk out to us. Cheers. Also we’ve been getting a beer and a coke per day, and a little ice to cool it with. It’s good for morale.” When we did get the beer and coke, I remember that I usually traded my beer for another coke, because I’d rather have drunk a warm coke than a warm beer. They didn’t always come to us with ice.
“Guess that’s it for now. Let me know about that phone call as soon as possible, Love to all. Dave. PS. Please send the Erickson’s address again. I’ve forgotten it.” Below is the article mentioned in the letter. The next letter: Welcome to LZ Ike.
