Before I get to the letter, there are several issues that might need some clarification. First, I sometimes mention my brother Steve in my letters. He was at TCU when I was in Viet Nam. My time there actually overlapped with his shortly before I dropped out of school, got drafted and sent to Viet Nam, and again when I returned to TCU after the summer I worked with dad. In several of my letters I defended him when he let his hair grow long. In this letter I talk briefly about support, financial maybe? Secondly, I write about marijuana use in this letter. I will add my comments at the end of the letter.
“Dear mom, dad, Steve, and Sue 19July.
What can I say? You say Steve is still supported by you – and this is true. But what about me? On my own, I guess, but still very much dependent on you and dad. As far as I am concerned my home address is still Box 104 Cataumet, Mass. And it may remain so for quite awhile, you lucky people. Anyway I yield to your arguments and submit. I guess the army teaches one to submit, because if he doesn’t, he’ll go through all sorts of hell until he’s broken or discharged or undesirable.” I have no idea what the hell I’m talking about here. Makes me wish I had access to letters sent to me, but of course they were casualties of war.
“Marijuana in Viet Nam. Yes, it’s here and very popular. However, no one in my unit smokes the stuff in the field. But you’s be surprised how many guys smoke once they are back in a rear area or LZ. Quite a few, maybe 35% of our company. Company commanders raise a lot of hell about it, but don’t do anything about it because these men have just come from a tough time in the field – let them do what they want to let their hair down – relax and take it easy. The C.O is no fool. He knows who smokes and who doesn’t, but he’s never turned anyone in. Maybe that’s because he is from California and they appreciate the issue from a more liberal point of view. The grass is usually purchased from civilians in black market trade. Price is a heck of a lot cheaper here than anywhere back in the states. But to get back to the main issue, GI units usually won’t smoke marijuana in the field – they save it for rear areas.
“Yes, I believe I got your last package. There was a Playboy magazine, 2 cans of sugar cookies and brownies (both in excellent shape), a bunch of peaches, envelops and stationary. Also got a package from Mrs. Parker (excellent cookies), and one from Susan (fair fudge). I got these packages about 3 days ago on the 16th.
“As I mentioned in my last letter, the war had pretty much stopped, but it seems to be starting up again. The paper says the war is really slowing down up north (2 NVA withdrawals back to their own country), but in Tay Ninh? You guessed it, another summer offensive. Batten down the hatches and don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes. The gooks are supposed to begin it sometime before the end of the month and it’s supposed to last a week to ten days. And since two LZs in the area (LZ Becky an Jamie) were mortared and rocketed last night, maybe the offensive is getting started. Right now we are at LZ Barbara for perimeter security. LZ Barbara is a little closer to Tay Ninh than LZ Ike is and its a lot bigger and better than Ike is. The bunkers are better, but tomorrow it’s back to the field for another ten or fifteen days. Then, maybe? To Phuoc Vinh – but probably back to Ike. The gooks have been raising hell on our local mountain – Nui Ba Den – lately. We saw from LZ Barbara the first B-52 strikes on this sacred mountain. Really beautiful. I guess that’s about all I’ve got for now. I got a letter from Natrajs’. They said they’d notify me when you had made the first payment and send the clothes. Money order would have been the best way to send the money. But I do thank you and agree that should make sure they’re going to come across with the goods. I assure you they are reputable and I trust them. I think it’s going to turn out fine. Monsoon season lasts 5 or 6 months. If we go to Phuoc Vinh, yes, it will be more of the same stuff, but in an area with a hell of a lot less enemy activity. I guess that’s it. Take care all, Love Dave”
I don’t have much to add about smoking dope in Viet Nam. I think I said it pretty well in the letter. We rarely were in a “rear” area where you could even buy the stuff, so it was much more popular in the rear. I would add for the members of John Maxson’s family, that I don’t remember him ever smoking marijuana, but he did (as most of us did) enjoy cigarettes. Since I mentioned the Playboy magazine, I’ve attached a picture from LZ Ike.
I hope the description of Sue’s treat to you, “fair fudge,” is a description that alludes to its color—butterscotch perhaps—and not its quality! If it was about quality, and I had gone to the trouble to make and send you something, I would have sent you nothing else!