A day early with this letter. Neither the Cowboys nor the Patriots are playing and I have a busy Monday, so Sunday afternoon seems like a good time to put up Monday’s letter. I have completed my move from Arlington’s entertainment district back to east Fort Worth, within a half mile of Sam’s and Walmart. I’ll clock it one of these days. So the stress of moving is over, but the organization of my new place among the senior citizens of Cobblestone Manor is still in early stages. The TV is up and running and so am I. In my spare time I have been watching an interesting series on Britbox called MI5. Enough about 75 year old me, it’s time to get back to 22 year old me. In late October 1969, I’m still at Cam Ranh Bay and maybe enjoying it too much.
“Hi gang, Oct 30-31 Cam Ranh Bay
It’s a beautiful morning. We had quite a scare last night. We were all enjoying the movie ‘Eye of the Cat’ when it was rudely interrupted by a Red Alert. This means the gooks had gotten inside the wire – 4 gooks to be exact. Their sampan has been discovered on the beach. All the rear echelon people got out their guns. Naturally – we, the patients, didn’t have any. We were more scared of the clowns running around with loaded guns than we were of the gooks. However, there was no incident, so we went back to bed. This place is defenseless as far as I’m concerned,
“Yesterday was a great day. My mail caught up with me, 3 letters from you, one from Rob, one from Steve, 2 from A. Louise, one from Mrs. Perry, one from Mr. Austill, and one from Natrajs, one from Brenda Lee, and 2 from Peni. Also your package with the Desenex arrived and the cookies are gone already. It was good to get all that mail.
Peni mentioned that she was going to try to meet me at the airport with you. If she does, I intend to cancel my stop in Texas. Girls really confuse. These two letters I got from her were the best ever.
Rob, I may have to wait a long time for your letters, but when one comes, it is well worth the wait. You really write a great letter. For the record, I wrote to you last – twice in a row. Is it my fault your box number was cancelled and you didn’t get the letters? I hope U of Missouri takes you. You mentioned going there if you could, once before. It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to get a camera before I leave. Oh well, I probably wouldn’t use one very much back in the world anyway. I’m glad you like a couple of my pictures. That picture you sent was really great. Please explain to the people that when one sees a grunt giving the old victory sign – that to us it’s a peace sign. Only the lifers still think we mean victory. You really look nice in a steel pot. Yeah!
“Went to see the liason officer today. He told me I should get a 4 or 5 day drop, won’t know for sure for a couple of days. Yes, a ‘drop’ means I get to come home early. I just might make it for Thanksgiving. Yes, I will know where I will be stationed in the states before I leave. The orders should be arriving at my unit in Tay Ninh any day now. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out. An educated guess says it will be Fort Carson, Colorado. A lot of Cav troops are being sent there. I hope that I can get closer to home than that. I should know in a few days. When I see Liason again, I’ll ask him to call my unit and find out where I am going.
I didn’t get a clerk job here, but I did get to be barrack’s sergeant in charge of Barracks 16, so I’m good for a few more days here anyway. I’m almost out of money so I’m going to try to get a partial pay. It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to take my leave. I won’t able to get to Hong Kong, but I will save some money. Brenda Lee sent me another picture. She’s a tough looking chick. Peni sent me a picture of herself that appeared in a newspaper up there – it’s really nice. I am enclosing it in this letter.
“As of this writing my boys – the Cowboys are undefeated 6-0, and so are the Bruins. The only disappointments are the Celtics, Patriots, and TCU – all in the cellar, although TCU did manage to beat A & M. We get good sports coverage in the Stars & Stripes. Saw the last half of ‘Eye of the Cat’ tonight and recommend the movie highly. You’d really like it, all of you. I heard about the snowstorm through Aunt Louise. Read in today’s paper that northern New England had a good blast, too – and that ski resorts are opening earlier than usual.
“I never did go see the chaplain. As you can see, I didn’t need to. You can forget the lobster dinner if you like. Somehow, they don’t appeal to me during the winter. One other thing about meals. Be aware that my stomach has probably shrunk a great deal, so although I need to fatten up – I won’t be able to eat a great deal at meal time until my stomach stretches some. I guess my teeth are ok. I had them checked here at Cam Ranh. I’ve had two teeth pulled, both wisdom on the left side. I should have the two on the right side pulled also – as they are to far back to reach with a tooth brush. They might give me trouble later if I don’t do something about them. But I’ve already had two pulled and I’m not anxious to lose two more right away.
“I won’t be able to get or check into binoculars. I won’t be going to Hong Kong. I may get a chance to look around here though. I got a letter from Natraj’s saying the bill was paid and the stuff is on its way. Probably none of it will fit until I can put on a little weight.
“Not too much else happening. As far as the war goes, a new gook offensive is planned mid-November. All I can say is that I hope it gets off to a slow start. I’m getting thirsty, so I guess I’ll sign off. Would you see if you could pick up the new Beatles album for me? See you soon, Love Dave”
There’s not much to add to this. I had forgotten recently who Brenda Lee was. Then, like so many things do, it popped out of my head. Brenda Lee was the Chinese girl who I think would very much have liked to come to America. I only had the one picture I posted in an earlier letter. The one where she looks “tough” is nowhere to be found. Nor had I mentioned Susan from Texas lately. It looks like I was pretty much focused on Peni. Strange spelling isn’t it?
This is the picture of Peni from the newspaper. The backside is pretty interesting as well
I’m sure your family was glad for your news as they at that point were free of the fear of your being sent back into combat. I can’t help wondering if you ever connected with Peni then or since. I do hope someone bought you a copy of Abbey Road and that you still own it!!