I thought my stay in the hospital would be short, but this letter of Sept 17 still sees me in the hospital. I wish I had some hospital pictures to attach, but there are none. When I got back home from Viet Nam, I had a re-occurrence that put me back in the hospital in February. I think I have one picture of me in Chelsea Naval Hospital in Boston, but I’ll try and find it for a later letter. So let the games begin.
“Dear Mama-san, Papa-san, Brother-san & Sister-san. Sept 17
Yep, still in the hospital, probably for 2 more days. I’ve still got a slight fever. I’m enclosing another issue of our Division paper. It gives a little history of our Division.
“We just were entertained by a USO show. I couldn’t tell you who they were, some colored group from New York. They were pretty good musicians, but they had a bad sound system here, so a lot of people thought they were pretty bad. I enjoyed them though since ‘grunts’ don’t get much entertainment. If you hear rumors of the complexion of the war changing, don’t believe them. It may be so on a limited basis, but in hot areas like war zone C, we still operate the way we always have.
“Rob, I guess you’re home now. Got a letter from Mom yesterday that said you were there. It seems hard to believe that we’ll all (barring any difficulties here) be together on Christmas. I feel closer to leaving here than I really am, but there’s not much I can do about it. It’s hard to believe that I’ll be sent back to the field when I leave here, but that’s the way it goes. I’ll bet it really feels great to be out of the Marines. Well, someday I’ll be out of this crummy army, too. If you still want me to get that camera, send me some info on it such as make (Nikon, I believe), model number and stateside price. You probably won’t want it if there’s little price difference, but I’ll see what I can do. Let me know how much you are willing to pay for it.
“I got a letter from Susan W yesterday. It only took her letter 4 days to get here. Actually, it was a get well card. My temperature is still hanging up there. I hope it continues to hang around 100 degrees. If they can’t break my fever, they may send me to Cam Ranh Bay. This is just a rumor, but they won’t send me back to my unit until I’m back to normal. It’s pretty dull around here, but it’s quiet. Today some Red Cross girls came in and we played some games. One was famous women’s names scrambled. They showed us the cards and we had to guess the names. Well, I won that and got a card with a wolf on it – and the caption – Fastest Wolf on Ward C. How about that! But most of the time I just lie around in bed and read. Sometimes I watch television. Is the ‘Hee Haw’ (?) program popular back there? It’s a country western Laugh In. We get – The Fugitive, Gunsmoke, Star Trek, Mission Impossible, Burkes Law, Bonanza, Ed Sullivan, and a few others, plus some local nonsense. Watched part of a Red Sox – Minnesota game a couple of days ago. Sox were ahead 5-0 when I left. Otherwise there is not much to write about. I feel pretty good so I don’t worry me. I’ll keep you posted on what happens. Love to all, Dave.”
“PS. I’m really sorry I missed your anniversary and your Birthday, mom. I think I missed dad’s, too. The dates just all got away from me. Oh yes, I did get the pictures you sent.
“Rob, did you know that TCU bought Bellaire N and the Princeton House? Senior girls live in them now. Susan lives in Bellaire N, Apt 23. Ours was 26 wasn’t it? Also I understand that the girls no longer have a curfew. It’s about time. Take care all.”
Hospital time is hazy time. I remember very little. I know that I did end up at Cam Ranh Bay at some point. Cam Ranh Bay was like a resort. It was right on the coast so it had a nice beach. Well, more about that when I get there. My brother Rob and I attended TCU together briefly and live at the Bellaire N apts for a semester.
The next letter still finds me in the rear, but I’m not sure where. Hopefully it will become clear as the letter progresses. See ya next Monday or Tuesday.
I speak a lot about Tay Ninh. Here is a picture of a Temple in Tay Ninh
I’m guessing that every day you were in the hospital was a relief to your parents. Malaria with fever vs. trekking through hostile terrain being shot at. Hmm. hospital wins.