“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” It would be inappropriate for me to let December 7th pass without recognizing the significance of December 7 and President Franklin Roosevelt’s address to the nation. And honoring those who lost their lives on that day, those who fought back and survived, and the nurses and doctors and others who valiantly gave all they had to save lives on that horrendous day.
“Gooooood mornin’ Vietnam!” Props to Robin Williams who brilliantly played the role of the Army disc jockey on Army radio in Vietnam. Personally, I never heard radio. No one had one, and in the hospital we watched television. My Nov 2 letter home sees me still at Cam Ranh Bay.
“Good evening everyone, Sun, Nov 2, Cam Ranh Bay
Down in the 20’s now, 28 days to be exact, less than a month. Tomorrow I see the doctor again and he’ll decide whether I should stay here longer or be sent back to my unit. I prefer to stay here as there isn’t a better spot in all of Vietnam as far as I’m concerned. Also tomorrow I will see Liason and he should know whether or not I will be getting a drop. And I will let you know as soon as I find out.
“Received your letter of Oct 8 several days ago. Also received another letter from Peni. This one in is her answer to the one where I told her to get out of my life. Well, she insisted that she wanted to stay in it, so all appears well. She said she wants to meet me at the airport with you when I get in. Without the drop, I’d say the closest I can come to picking my arrival time is sometime on Dec 2. It will take me approximately 10 hours to process through Oakland (Cav goes through Oakland now, I understand) and then my only problem will be a flight home. I won’t know my next duty station until I get back to my unit, but they should have that info by now.
“About my teeth again. The only ones I had pulled were wisdom teeth. I still think I have a bad cavity in the last tooth of my upper left, but the dentist here didn’t spot anything. I don’t think he really looked. Therefore I will either get it checked back at my unit or when I get home.
“Other than that, I am feeling better all the time. My ringworm is clearing up, my athlete’s foot isn’t bothering me as much any more, and my cold is going away. Spent today on a boat trip and barbecue around Cam Ranh Bay. Free food, beer and cokes. Did some swimming and sunning. Drank 3 beers and decided that I hate the stuff, or at least the crud they give us over here.
“You’re right about Terry. I never did give him a chance. You could have been a little less harsh in your lecture, however. Remember my nerves! The doc told me I was nervous, and I said that he would be too after 11 months in this place.
“I sympathize with Terry and wonder what unit he’s with. You said he may be sent up to the DMZ, so it may be he is with the 101st Airborne Div. They were moved to the northern I Corps to replace the marines that were pulled out. Next to us they have the best fire and air support than any other unit in Vietnam. But Terry’s work will really be cut out for him. The American unit up there is the Americal Division (light infantry). Although the Americal is the biggest division over here, they are not airmobile. Just us and the 101st. I hope Terry doesn’t have to go north. I think I told you that Ed didn’t go through with his Article 212. He got a job on LZ Ike as a sort of NCO Inspector General. As long as the gooks leave Ike alone he should be ok. Mouse is home now and on his leave. He’ll be stationed at Fort Ord in California for the rest of his time in the service.
“As I said before, it doesn’t matter if anyone comes to visit for Xmas or not. I may get a chance to go to Maine, but I doubt it. I received a letter from John McRae the other day with yours and he seems well enough. Didn’t mention any new assignment. I also received a nice letter from Reverand Austill and will try to answer it soon. I saw another incredible movie last night with Rod Steiger. It was about a strangler in New York – and it was great. You’d have really liked that one, mom, knowing how you like movies about nuts. Steiger is a tremendous actor. The night before that was ‘Sgt Ryker’ with Lee Marvin, and the night before that was ‘The Traveling Saleslady’ with Phylis Diller and Bob Denver. Both pretty good flicks.
“I played softball yesterday afternoon. It was the first time I tried any strenous sport and it was fine. I was only 1-6 at bat, but my fielding percentage (I played left) was 1000. Caught 6 fly balls to left and didn’t miss any.
“The monsoon season is apparently just beginning here. The beach has been placed off limits until Jan 1 due to undertow, which I admit is pretty bad. But the waves are great for body surfing. I got some sunburn on my legs today, forgot to take my Coppertone with me.
“I’m out of money again, but if I don’t ship tomorrow, I’ll be able to ger some on Tuesday. I just now remembered Steve’s birthday. Nothing to do but right him a letter I guess. You must not criticize ‘green’ troops. I was that way one time also. I think Dave Bisbee will be ok though, as long as he listens to his NCO’s.
“My barracks sgt job keeps me pretty busy, so the days are going by at a good clip. If I get sent back to Tay Ninh tomorrow, I expect them to slow down. I’d like to stay here for another 10 days. I may ask the CO here about it tomorrow. If Peni tries to get in touch with you, I hope you’ll encourage her to come to the Cape and be with you when you meet me at the airport. Guess that’s about all for now. I’ll keep you posted.”
Once again I am amazed by how much I have forgotten. I remember being barracks sgt, but that’s about it. BBQ and softball? Body surfing? Mouse going to Fort Ord, Ed being NCO Inspector General? I remember none of it. I have an appt with my VA doc on Jan 9. I think I will talk to him about some of this stuff. My neighbor who was a Marine wounded in Vietnam thinks its all about PTSD. Sounds like I was having a pretty good time that I don’t remember. How do you forget stuff like that? I think the malaria might have a lot to do with it. I sometimes wonder how close I came to dying from that disease. The next letter is Nov 9, and its Gooooood mornin’ Tay Ninh. It’s a short one. Be good to yourselves. See ya next Monday.