So, I ended last week’s blog with the letter of May 18th talking about Chinese women and their skirts. In the second part of that letter I shift gears a little. From where I left off it starts: “Anyway – when I go back, I’ll be looking up Brenda Lee again. She says she wants to come to America. We’ll see. Back to Amy. On my last day Amy cut out on me. I didn’t really care because I was tired of her anyway. But I still needed some money to get me through the rest of the day and night. So I followed her home, gained entrance to same. She said she would give me fifteen Hong Kong dollars. Not enough. I told her I wanted fifty, but she said she didn’t have that much, but I knew damn well she did. So I told her to give it to me (It was mine anyway) or I’d beat the hell out of her. She still refused so I grabbed her by the throat and slugged her on the jaw. Then I casually opened her pocketbook and took all my money that she had – 30 Hong Kong dollars or about 5 American.” I can’t freaking believe that I did that. And though I do remember finding out where she lived, I have no recollection of the violence that I visited upon her. And it’s hard reconciling that with who I am today. Anyway, “All this time she was screaming at me, calling me awful names (such words from a lady) and I left. I was a little worried that she would send some hood after me, so I made sure I was careful. I went back to the 007 Bar and Night Club where Brenda Lee works and had a good time. Occasionally she would leave me to make a pitch for GI’s at the bar (after all that was her job), but no one took her. Still can’t figure out why. But despite all my mistakes, I had a tremendous time.” Jeez! You realize I have never seen these letters until I decided to do this. “Nothing or no one could take this away from me. I went into one disco-tech (sp) with a buddy. We were there for four hours drinking and listening to all the music. The greatest part of it was watching the Chinese kids (15-19) have a good time. They were all so naturally happy (not put on like you see in the states sometimes.) They were all good kids. We were the only two GI’s in the place. It’s off limits, but I sure couldn’t figure out why.” I’m not sure which is more of a war story, my time in Viet Nam or in Hong Kong!
“Now I’m back in Viet Nam and things are still hot here in Tay Ninh province. I haven’t been out to the LZ yet, where I’ll join the company. I’m still at the base camp in Tay Ninh. ‘A’ company hasn’t had any contact since I’ve been gone, but a lot of the forward LZ’s have been hit hard. So far LZ Ike hasn’t been hit at all. But last night radar picked up an unknown size enemy force about 400 meters out from the LZ. LZ Carolyn was overrun and some gooks actually got inside the perimeter and held two bunkers for awhile. But they were all blown away shortly after, leaving about 150 dead behind them, enemy dead that is. But LZ Ike is in good shape and I don’t think the bad guys will mess with it.”
“I’ve definitely heard of the troop withdrawals, but we don’t expect to be part of it. We always expect the worst so we can be prepared for it. But we hope for the best. I have no idea when the clothes I bought will get to you. They will all need to be pressed. I’ll try to get them sent tomorrow, but don’t expect them for quite awhile. If they go by sea, it will take at least a month”
“I’m really glad I talked to you while I was in Hong Kong. I hope I reassured you a little bit that I can take care of myself and that things in general are ok.”
“I hope you all have a fine summer, but don’t knock yourself out, dad. When I come back, I’ll give you a hand. I wouldn’t worry about not throwing Susan a birthday party. If she’s so much like me, I’m sure she would just as much prefer being with family. As far as these kids and their drinking and smoking at such an early age, I think it’s disgusting. Young punks showing off, trying hard to enter a world which they can have no part of. Kids should just be happy being kids. I wish I had it to do all over again. Kids showing off – trying to be tough. And the people of my generation, also very disappointing. Many student demands are justified and reasonable, but the unjust ones are what ruin the chances for the good ones. These creeps don’t understand what they are doing and they are doing it the wrong way. I don’t go along with violence on campus.”
“One more thing before I sign off. If Stephen wants to keep his hair long, why not let him. It’s his right to do so unless it interferes with the rights of others. I’m sure he’s capable of making his own decisions. He’s a man whether his hair hangs to his butt or not, and no one can take it from him. Don’t tell him to cut his hair because you don’t like it. Why should you care how he appears to other people, as long as you and he all know that they have no no grounds for their disapproval of him other than his hair. If you have long hair you are automatically made a queer, or a rebel member of SDS or some other radical group. There’s so much horseshit going on back in the states that I’m really not sure I want to come back. But I will come back and try to do my share for a peaceful, worthwhile existence. Take care and keep the letters coming. Love to all, Dave”
When I finished typing the letter, I just stared at it for awhile. As John Oliver might say, “There’s a lot to unpack here.” But I’m not going to do it now. I’ll leave that to the reader. See ya next week.