According to the last letter I still hadn’t returned to the field. There is no date on this letter, but I had 63 days left, so I am pretty sure that it is in the proper sequence. So let’s get right into what was going on.
“Dear Mom, Dad, Rob, & Sue,
Number 2 son once again. I feel much better today. I received two letters from you today, one from John Ziemer, and 2 from Gram. It’s quite obvious, mom, that you are the one who really cares, all the more reason to come.” The last part of the previous sentence makes no sense, so maybe I wasn’t feeling as well as I thought I was. “I’m still bitter about the little support I get from some people, though. I wonder if they’d come to my funeral if I got shot. Sorry bastards.” Now I know that I wasn’t feeling as well as I claimed, at least emotionally. “They should spend a year over here. You know, I can see why we almost have to have wars. There’s definitely a lesson to be learned that most people never learn. I can almost feel sorry for them. I always seem to learn things the hard way, but by learning the hard way, the lesson sinks in. Well, enough on that. Let’s see if you had any questions for me. I seem to have thrown one of your letters away. I received the pictures and will send them out to Ed. He’s in the field and I’m still in the rear. Tomorrow I’ll try to get a dentist appointment and am getting my ringworm taken care of. Falciparum malaria is the most dangerous of the three types of malaria, but it is the least likely to reoccur. However it can reoccur anytime during my life and must be treated immediately. I’m well aware of the symptoms so it should be no problem. And if I take care of myself, it shouldn’t come back. I may be able to remain here for the rest of my tour, but we’ll just have to wait and see. If the dentist will pull my teeth, that should clinch it. They don’t have the newer high speed drill over here, and I hate the old rubber band grinding type. It’s much slower and feels terrible.
“The beads are no joke” Mom obviously had seen the picture of me wearing beads. “Why do you always have to attach a particular significance to things. Can’t I wear beads for the mere fact that I like them. Of course, they are against army regulations, but in the field we can do pretty much as we please. It’s the one advantage of being out there. Naturally, the beard came off as soon as I got to the rear, and my hair is cut to army regulation. I should look like a regular clean cut all American boy when I come home, except I’ll try to hang on to my moustache. The problem there is my leave. The girls in Hong Kong do not like moustaches and they have ways to coax one into shaving them off. I’m sure you are aware of the power of the female species. This time I intend to resist. I like my moustache and will keep it. As long as it is neatly trimmed and does not hang below the lip line, it is within Army regulations. Beards are not, unless you are a Muslim.” I was still believing that I was getting leave. Didn’t happen.
“The war in the Mideast seems to be getting out of hand. This war still remains out of hand. Was disgusted at women picketing a marriage license bureau at New York. Most ridiculous thing I ever heard. People are really stupid. I don’t mean to keep criticizing America and it’s people, but you should see it from the outside like I do. It’s no wonder world opinion of us continues to decline. I’m also against the SST program. The plane is too expensive and unnecessary. Passenger planes are big enough and fast enough now. I’m beginning to think Nixon was a mistake. Time will tell. Not a thing happening here. I just heard the Ohio St. – TCU score and couldn’t believe it – 62-0, naturally in favor of Ohio St. Ohio St. will be number one in the nation. I’m ashamed to say I once went to TCU. No one should be beat that badly. TCU will have a bad year. What a disgrace.
“My leave has been pushed up again – this time to November 12. It still remains tentative. But I will get it and still plan to try to get to Hong Kong. Our LT here in the rear bought himself a TV, so now we can enjoy the tube in the afternoon and at night. Thats nice – there are no morning programs.
“This war may end sooner than I expected. In our company moral is as low as I’ve ever seen it. Our Battalion Commander put out an order ‘No more beer in the field until you get a body count (kill more gooks).’ Half the company has skin diseases and they can’t get in to get them taken care of. Guys are screaming to see the IG. Ed Hancock got a guy to hit him in the leg with a shovel just to get out of the field. Now he’s trying to get a dishonorable discharge. He’s going to refuse to go back to the field. He may have to spend some time in jail before they boot him out, but I’m on his side. If I wasn’t so close to getting out of here, I’d give him more than just verbal support. All of us – we’re being used and we’re tired of it. I never expect to get into a situation like that again. I’m fed up, too, but I’ve only got 63 days. Things have changed. People are going to refuse to fight. Wait and see.
“The education level in the infantry is pretty high and you can’t pull the wool over the eyes of intelligent people. Most other devisions work on three day operations. Ours works 15 day operations. People are going to want to quit. I’ll bet there will be an investigation soon.
“For my birthday. It would be enough of a Xmas present just to be re-united with everyone when I get home, but on the material side, I’m looking for a good, portable stereo record player. I could probably get one cheaper in Hong Kong, but all I intend to get there is a camera. That’s all I want – one thing. I don’t need anything else. Oh yes, in case you’re interested, my Bronze Star went through and will be presented to me at the next awards ceremony. I guess that makes me a war hero or something. Anyway it should look good on my record.
“Guess that’s all for now. Take care – and one more thing. It would be nice to get some more of your good, old, home made cookies.”
“Love to All, Dave”
Can you believe it? Freakin’ cookies again. No wonder I have a cookie addiction. I was critical of some marriage license demonstration in New York. Not sure what that was about, but just reading that part of the letter I was wondering if I was a bit of a chauvinist. The part of the letter dealing with facial hair was also interesting and my brother has given me a picture that I am going to scan and put it up as my profile banner or picture on my Facebook home page. I’m typing this letter from my sister’s home on Cape Cod. I’ve been here for almost two weeks. She took me to task for calling her a spoiled brat severak letters ago. Nursing has been her chosen profession and she has been a great one. I can attest to that personally. Sue has recently retired and several days ago she pulled stitches from my elbow. A great nurse and a great sister. I also talked about the lessons learned from war, but never mentioned what they actually were. Way to go Dave.
About Ed. I didn’t remember any of what I wrote in the letter about him. So I am attaching a couple of pictures of him to this letter. I’ve put up several before, but this letter is dedicated to him, so you may see one of the same ones. Live long and prosper, Ed, my friend.
Mouse and Ed
I’m glad you mention the lack of specificity regarding “the lessons.” I’m wondering too what they were. The overall takeaway from this entry is that you were of an age where your ideas and beliefs were both transforming and forming due to aging and experiences–and what experiences they were! God, that picture of Ed digging a foxhole is emblematic of the awful “field”–let’s say “jungle”–conditions–including half of your outfit having skin conditions– you all were enduring and the stupid insensitivity of those above you denying you beer!