Cu-Chi, Friday, May 30, ll:30 pm:

It was really hot here today. The promised monsoon rains haven't come yet, at least not very much of them. We had about ten drops early this evening but nothing to cool the place off. I don't mind the rain as long as I'm in my shop nice and dry and warm. But outside in the pouring rain it can get downright miserable. Oh well!

On my trip to Saigon the other day I was surprised at how green and pretty everything was, even after the small amount of rain we eve had. The rice paddies aren't full yet but I guess that will come in time.

Otherwise, things here are the same old dull routine. I went down and cashed in all my pennies today for big bills so I can send you some tomorrow. I should be able to send $l60 or so, depending on how hot it is tomorrow.

The crickets are calling out the midnight hour so I'd best let my eyelids droop and call it quits. I had to finish that book I was reading, "The President's Plane is Missing", which was alright but not as good as "7 Days in May". I love you with everything I have.

p.s. I ran out of popcorn tonight.

Cu-Chi, Saturday, May 31, 10:00 pm:

You're getting to be so good at making tapes, I just can't believe it. You are developing that Jacobsmeyer gift of gab that gallops in our family. I really enjoyed the tape and I hope to get more soon if you get the chance.

It's sprinkling at the moment and it started halfway through the flick, "The Impossible Years", with David Niven. Needless to say, I got wet but the movie was worth it; really a good laugh-in. I missed "Barbarella" last night but I plan to see it later.

Today was payday as you know and a real mad house around here. To get paid we had to get our shot record up to date, which meant getting a cholera and plague shot, and getting my weapon serial number checked at the supply room. I finally got paid about 3:00pm this afternoon and rushed down to get some money orders for you. I even took today's tips and sent to you so you can believe it's every cent I had. If you NEED more let me know, otherwise I'll spend the rest of my money here on junk.

I got a thank you card from Larry and Barbara for sending a wedding card, so I guess they didn't get the china yet. Speaking of china, the catalogs haven't come yet so I can't send you one as yet.

I also got a letter from Fay and Norm in Utah that was very interesting. It seems that Vic lost another VW when he got sandwiched between two other cars in the canyon. So he now drives a Falcon to school. Noray was chosen cheerleader of her class and is really good on the uneven parallel bars and balance beam.

I'm getting anxious to come home dear, it seems so close to reality now. I'm sure sorry to hear that the girls are causing you to be nervous. I hope I can sooth your nerves (?) when I get home. It must be rough to watch them both all day long.

Well, I love you dear and I hope the money will get you by till next month. Oh, I just remembered that I was going to send you a run down of my expenses and earnings so far, by month. So starting on the next page you'll find a quick run down of my wild spending habits.

March 15-31 Tips = $l80.25

Salary = $52l.04

Total = $70l.29

April l-30 Tips = $347.25

Salary = $52l.04

Total = $868.29

May 1-31 Tips = $337.95

Salary = $52l.04

Total = $858.99

March 1-May 31 Total =$2428.57

I don't know how much tithing you've paid but my salary for January and February would be another $800 on to this figure.

I love you dear, just remember that because no one can take that from you.

Cu-Chi, Monday, June 2, l0:30 pm:

It's evening, late evening and the evening has been cleaned and cooled by a gentle rain which has now moved on and left only little puddles to carry on its memory. The night is quiet except for the chirping of lonesome crickets calling into the night for someone to love. It's peaceful here this evening, a seemingly strange thing for a war zone. The peace of the weary and tired, the lost and lonely, the wounded lying in the hard hospital beds thinking of home and past glories. The peaceful stillness is so loud it's almost more than you can stand. It's as if the world was waiting for some terrible thing to happen, afraid to utter a sound for fear of being caught, hoping silently that whatever it is that has caused the fear will pass by and not notice the silent giant hunched in the shadows. It's a beautiful evening, late evening, so cool and still, it brings a feeling of serenity and calm to the soul; it makes the worries of the day somehow vanish as if the day was always past and morning would only spoil the reality of everything. It's nice in Vietnam in the late evening, a time to reflect and write my thoughts to the one I love that is so far away.

I just returned from the flick at MID which starred Dick Van Dyke in "Fitzwilly". A real good film about some good guy crooks. We went over to the MP's lounge where they had a live show with two girls that only knew how to belly dance the bump & grind. It got old in a hurry so we left and went to the movie, besides, it was so hot and sticky in there it was worse than a sauna.

I thank you for the tape and garments and I now have enough garments to last me since I can't wear them while I cut hair - they'd be like a pincushion against my skin. I'll save them till I get sent to the field or home.

I hope you had a fun time at Disneyland but I imagine it just wasn't the same being alone. I'll make it up to you when I get home. It's late and I love you so I'll close while my thoughts are sweet.

p.s. Sorry about page one but I just wanted to write something soft if I still could.

Cu-Chi, Wednesday, June 4, 8:45 pm:

I must be sending too much money home because your letters are getting shorter every day. I guess you are pretty busy with the kids and all, but I would like to hear more from you if you can find time, either that or some more tapes.

I was really tired today due to the fact that I stayed up late last night and didn't sleep well. I was awakened by 8" artillery landing near here and I got up to see what it was all about around 3:30 this morning.

I was going to bed early tonight but "Mission Impossible" comes on at 9:00pm and that's a must, so I'll suffer tomorrow. And tomorrow night "The Swimmer" with Burt Lancaster is on at the flick so I have to go to that too.

It was so hot today in the shop that I got dizzy but then I went and played that new tape you sent me and although it was still hot I was more relaxed, in fact I almost fell asleep cutting hair. I started to write a letter about 5:00pm but I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to get past the date so I went in and laid down on my bed to await the next customer and when I awoke it was after 6:00pm and I was supposed to be closed, so I finally got up and went for my mail.

And that wraps up another day here in war torn Vietnam. I hope you don't fall asleep reading it and tune in tomorrow for another episode.

Cu-Chi, Thursday, June 5, 7:00 pm:

Here I sit in my barber chair thinking of you again. Tonight is my night to be open for an hour so I'll write you while the time flies.

It’s raining outside (off & on) and it's nice and cool and damp. It feels like a German summer evening shower. But here in Vietnam it's welcome moisture to the farmers who are late getting their rice planted due to the lack of rain. It really poured last night just as I went to bed and it was blowing from my unprotected side and splashing on me so I finally had to pull the sheet over my head and go to sleep.

It was cool all day today and sort of slow but I made as much money today as I did yesterday when I worked my tail off. So I guess I'll just take the breaks as they come.

I just noticed that my roof leaks a little, too bad, I've only got 91 days left so I'm not about to fix it.

I'm sending you a picture of the tape recorder I plan to buy plus some prices of others in case anyone else wants one. The recorders sell for about twice as much retail in the USA.

I hope you've remembered that when the family moves out of our house that we have to pay the last months rent. So set aside $l78 between now and then. I hope that 5.5% raise comes through at the firehouse. That will be $92 /mo more than I earned when I got activated, not bad! We can use the extra to pay the increased payment on our new house in a couple of years. Either that or we'll take an extended vacation to Europe and Russia in a year or two.

I hope you buy yourself some more clothes before I get home because money might get scarce for a while after I come home. We've been living pretty fancy free the past few months. I love you dear, more than anything. In fact I'm even doing exercises late at night so you won't be ashamed of me. See ya in 92 days (I hope!).

Cu-Chi, Friday, June 6, 3:45 pm:

It's a cool rainy, drizzly day and not too busy so I thought I'd write you a letter. I hope you don't mind.

I received your letter that had the backrub, neck rub, and etc. rub last night so I put them to good use with the help of my new vibrator. It felt 5000 good. I can just imagine how much better it would have been if personally delivered.

I hope the weather gets better tonight because I'm going to try and call you on MARS. If not tonight then tomorrow night. I just want to hear your wonderful voice again.

Laugh-in is on TV next door. The same one I tried to stay awake to watch Tuesday night.

I just found some more pictures lying around so I'll send them to you, and I'm down to one roll of film if you happen to stop at the Kodak booth. And when you do, where's the bikini picture? I can't wait to see you in it.

10:00pm:

Hi again. Just finished my shower and exercises so I'm all ready to jump into dreamland with you. I am waiting for MARS to call me back with your call so I guess I'd better think of something to tell you before then.

Everyone around us got hit pretty good last night so think we might get it tonight sometime.

Pix called about 6 o'clock to gossip. He says to tell you that "he still loves you and that his love life is suffering due to various reasons - mainly opportunity." He's going to Australia the end of this month and he and I are going to Singapore about the 20th of August. He's still trying to get his early out but doesn't know yet. He said that his unit might move here to Cu-chi soon so I hope so.

Well honey, my brain can't focus on anything more for now except I wish I were there to give you a relaxer. (backrub!) Ha, Ha!

Cu-Chi, Saturday, June 7, l0:00 pm:

Another Saturday night without you. It's becoming almost a regular thing around here. But when you think about only 13 more Saturdays alone, it isn't so bad.

I sure enjoyed talking to you this morning. I could even understand everything you said, just like downtown. I thought you said that the Bronzeware had arrived - if so it's a new record for boats. I mailed it on the 26th of May and the boat takes 17 days one way, oh well! I hope you liked it. I can't wait to get your letter telling me about it. I think I'll check on the crystal goblets when I go to Singapore with Pix. I'll send you a china catalog as soon as they come so you can pick out another set.

I borrowed a Polaroid camera today and took a few shots of me since most of my pictures are of the landscape around here. I'll send you a couple now and then if you don't mind.

I gather from the picture of Jonette in the dresser that that is the green you painted it. Not bad!

The action has picked up around here, at least in the 25th's area. We killed over 600 gooks in the past two nights at a fire support base up near Tay Ninh city.

You wouldn't believe the size of the cockroach that just attacked me. It was at least 2-3" long and was hopping and flying around this little room trying to get my naked body. I almost panicked but my "Black Flag" roach killer finally triumphed after about 50 squirts. Wow, I can't stand this place.

I was writing in the dark to avoid any more attacks and I couldn't see the lines.

Cu-Chi, Sunday, June 8, ll:00 pm:

I can't stand it! Last night I was attacked by a giant cockroach (which someone says is really a locust) and tonight also. I killed the one earlier this evening as I was working on my hootch and put him in a box inside my carryall bag which I zipped up too. And then I could hear him kicking, trying to get out but I hope he doesn't. And then as I just returned from a shower and was cooling off with a sexy magazine and rolled over to write you this letter, another one was sitting on and eating a hole in the pillow I had my arm around. Scared the pest out of me! But the roach killer slowed him down considerably. His corpse is still sitting in the corner where he died.

Today was Sunday and I went to church this afternoon as usual and when I came home I went to the pool with the guys from the 9th Chem. It was a different world there. Music from stereo speakers floating over the grassy, park like area around the sparkling pool. I almost forgot where I was for a while until we had to leave.

I had to come back here anyway and get to work on my new side entrance to my hootch. It's right across from the bunker so it saves a lot of time in getting there. (I hope!) I had help from a couple of guys with a skill saw but I had to re-do most of their work to get it right. It's better now anyway and I can isolate my bedroom from the barbershop so I can escape once in a while.

Things haven't really been too busy lately so it's not hard at all - in fact I'm halfway through "The Fall of Japan" just to keep my mind busy.

I love you dear and I'll sure be glad when I can escape from this crummy place and come home to you. I sure hope we don't have any cockroaches at our house - I'll sell!

Cu-Chi, Monday, June 9, 9:00 pm:

I love it! You look fantastic in it! I love your new suit and can't wait to be with you on the beaches of old sunny Calif. I did notice the absence of a glorious suntan so I'll make you a deal, either a good brown tan or flat tummy before I get home in three months. OK? If you really wanted to bad enough, I bet you could do both. I don't think I will care either way I'll be so happy to be home, but it would make you stop feeling guilty, having a flabby tummy at age 23 - your PRIME years. Those who endure to the end will be saved!

I'm laying here on my bed keeping an eye cocked for anymore of those man-eating roaches that attacked me last night in here. They're SO BIG and SO UGLY that they make a brave man scared. I was going to send you one but it might scare you and the kids, so next time I get attacked I'll take a picture of one of them.

No shower water so I'm waiting patiently as the time goes by, just laying here listening to FM music and writing my love.

I sure like my new door I put in, except for one thing

- everyone else uses it too. But it does give me more freedom because I can lock my shop on the outside to discourage people and still enjoy my bedroom.

I don't see how Dale and Gloria are going to make it on Dale's salary but I wish them the best. And I resent that remark, "I'm glad you didn't MAKE me work". You know very well I never wanted you to work at all because it took away my role as provider for the family. Of course, it was nice when you were working. You were always in top shape for the guys? at the office (i.e. no tummy).

But right now I'd settle for you any way, shape, or form because I miss you so. You know how much I love you so I'll close by saying it once more. I love you more than fleas love dogs, Jews love bagels, Mormons love seagulls, babies love messes.

Cu-Chi, Tuesday, June l0, 10:00 pm:

I'm glad you like the bronzeware. There are eleven different knives, forks and spoons for each place setting so figure out what they're for. I ordered some catalogs so you can pick out the next set of china yourself. It's just because I love you.

I'm laying here listening to Laugh-in on my FM radio oops, it's the Bob Hope special tonight. Oh well, I don't have to- stay awake now. I got back a bunch of pictures from the PX so I'll send you a few at a time, like you send me. They are mostly of my trip to Saigon and the "Sniff".

Things are real quiet here at Cu-chi but Pix called today and said that they're getting rocketed every night now and they've lost three men in the last - week. He said he might be going to Japan this month besides Australia.

I'm getting my bedroom fixed up pretty good now and I'm going to paint my hootch and shop soon so it'll look good too.

Excitement, I got a haircut tonight. It rained this evening, hard. The movie was lousy so we left and came back to the TV. There was shower water at 8:30 pm. We had some popcorn tonight. I did my exercises and they're getting easier. I think you take divine pictures of my babies. I think your new bikini is very becoming and shows off what you have beautifully. (No comment!) I pray every night for your safety.

I don't know if I told you that Pierce College turned Pix down on his request to re-enter school, so he can't get an early out after all.

I filled in most of the cracks in my bedroom so the roaches have a little harder time getting in now.

I love you dear, very much and I hope that you'll forgive me for starting all my sentences with I, but I can't write about things that I don't do because I don't know about them anyway.

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