Cu-Chi, Monday, July 7, 9:30 pm:

I was sorry to hear about your illness but I hope you're over it by now. The fact that a $500 check couldn't cheer you up tells me that you must have really been sick. I hope you enjoy it because there's no more till the end of the month. I just have enough to pay for my recorder so now I have to start saving for R&R.

I guess by now, or at least day after tomorrow, I'll get your letter about the 4th of July telling me that you and Jonette stole the show at the Rose Bowl too. I hope you had a nice time, I only wish I could have been there to celebrate our knowing each other five whole years. We've come a long way in those five big ones. I think back on them and we've had some happy moments together, as well as a few unhappy ones. I only pray that the good Lord will continue to shine on us as he has in the past. There aren't many of our friends that have what we have together. So darling, keep the faith and dream about me once in a while.

The monsoons have arrived finally and boy does it rain hard. I try to stay out of it as much as possible.

Time for bed and alone I sleep again, not even anyone to rub away the aches and pains of my days toils. How sad! Maybe soon!

As soon as I get my recorder I'll send you some gook music so you can get in the swing.

Cu-Chi, Tuesday, July 8, 10:00 pm:

I hope you've overcome your illness and set about your task of spending the allotment check. I realize that it's not as easy as it sounds due to the bills, etc. However, I do want you, sincerely, to buy some more new clothes. I look forward to using our money for household items and you won't get much for clothing. So surprise me when I get home and be extra beautiful in your new duds.

I have $2l5 in the safe waiting for my tape recorder to come in. Now that I have the money they probably won't get anymore in. Oh well, then I'll be forced to spend it on clothes in Hong Kong.

My hootch girl didn't work today because her boyfriend beat her up. I'd like to catch someone doing that. I'd either be a Charlie Brown hero or a goat by breaking it up.

It's raining right now and has been since about 4:30 pm. It's only a light rain but makes beautiful mud all over this place.

I didn't get a letter tonight so I expect two tomorrow. That's the part of the day I look forward to most, getting your letter. No matter how many times you tell me you love me, I still love to hear it again.

I'm laying here trying to think of something interesting to say but this place has ceased to be interesting and is getting on my nerves. I get up and go to work, work all day, and quit and go to sleep. What a life.

I came in and went to bed at 6:30 pm tonight because the guys next door had to work late. But tired as I was, I couldn't sleep. So at 8:30 pm I got up and went and watched Star Trek and after that, here I am.

No TV on Tuesday & Thursday when I get home. Those will be our nights to talk. I swore I'd not have a TV when I got married because you lose the communication between each other. So we'll try it for a while.

p.s. We use our Social Security number instead of our service number as of July 1st.

Cu-Chi, Wednesday, July 9, 10:00 pm:

Two letters and one from Russia - Jackpot! At least my wife still loves me, that's enough to keep me going.

I just finished watching Mission Impossible, about some stocks and crooked card game, etc. It's always interesting to watch them do it. I went home teaching earlier this evening but didn't find many people home. I even borrowed a jeep to get around in. It was a good thing too, because it started raining and still is.

We've been getting the daily afternoon rains for about a week now. I guess it's better to have mud than dust but I'll still be glad to get home.

My tape recorder should come in on Saturday so rumor has it. A lot of cameras came in today but only lasted a few hours. I wanted to get a tripod but they were all gone by the time I arrived at noon.

I was surprised to get an answer from Svetlana so soon, if at all. I guess the mail here isn't censored as much as I thought. Anyway, it was a sweet letter from her. She's sort of disappointed with her home town after two years of big city living. I guess it would be the same for us too. She sure travels a lot. She either has a lot of money or travel in Russia is cheap because she's traveling thousands of miles just for a vacation. Her letter got here fairly fast though.

And she writes such newsy letters. If only I had married her instead. Oh well! Now that I've gotten you broken in, it's too late to change.

My neck really has given me one helluva headache tonight so I think I'll close this note till Morgan when I'll have new and exciting stories to tell you.

I'm glad you enjoyed the 4th, next year I'll be there too (if I don't work that day). I love and miss you beyond imagination so do take care of yourself and the little ones.

Cu-Chi, Thursday, July 10, 1l:00 pm:

I wish I were home to pluck you and put you in my collar. It's been one of those days around here.

First I slept through the alarm again and missed today’s adventure of "Chicken Man" at 6:45 am, and that's a bad way to start off the day. However, I heard the episode later on.

Next, my diarrhea, or whatever, kept me busy all morning between haircuts.

Third, I went over to the PX and my tape recorder wasn't in but some groovy electronic flashes were and I sure wanted to buy one but couldn't. So I settled for two rolls of film.

Next, I was busy all day and went in to lie down at 5:00 pm because nobody usually comes in then, and somebody did.

Next, I went to get some water for the girls to wash clothes with and didn't get back in time to open at 7:00 pm (too bad). While pumping the water into our holding tanks we watched 3 rockets hit near the TOC which sent us running to the bunker once we figured out that they were shooting at us. And then we went on automatic "red" alert.

While on "red" (attack against Cu-chi base camp) alert it rained and I had to stand outside in it for an hour. Then it ended.

Next, we went in and my partner and I lost at pinochle by a high score thanks to two mis-deals and a renege.

And then to top it off I had to go shower in ice-cold water. Wow! That's the worst of all.

Oh well, another day shorter. I got my R&R to Hong Kong, August 19-24. Plus I got that can of popcorn a week ago if I haven't mentioned it. But it's all gone already -but tasted great!

Good night lover. I sure long just to hold you tight again and know you love me.

Cu-Chi, Friday, July 11, 7:00 pm:

I love you again. No letter last night but I did get one tonight so thank you. I didn't get the tape yet so it'll probably come tomorrow. What with all your talk of no working tape recorder I almost sent you one from the PX, but I couldn't spare the $22 yet. The tape recorders are supposed to be in tomorrow and I'll be there to get it early. If it doesn't come I might just not get it and spend the money on clothes in Hong Kong.

As far as Nikki's certificate goes, it's OK. Lake View Terrace is a suburb or community within L.A. so the records are kept at the L.A. city recorders office and that's why they put down L.A. If we were to move out of L.A. nobody would be able to find Lake View Terrace on the map.

Gloria must dig punishment or something. If I were her I would have dumped it long ago. I guess deep down she really wants to keep it inside her and that's why she fights off labor. Pretty scientific huh?

I can't believe you made fudge and didn't send me any. What's happened to the wife that missed her husband overseas? Is he sending her too much money?

I loaned Zip next door $25 to buy the electronic flash I mentioned (I think). So I can take flash pictures now, at least until I leave.

If I can save enough money I want to get a 28mm wide angle lens, 135mm telephoto, and a 400-500mm telephoto when I get to Hong Kong next month. I figure to get a tailor made suit or two and some slacks too. I'll contact the missionaries there to show me the best places to go.

I'm getting flabby again since I stopped my exercises but if you don't care, I don't.

The movie tonight is a comedy, "Nobody's perfect", so I thought I'd write early just to get a few minutes more sleep.

This week has snuck by again. Only seven more to go before I leave this army, and no meetings when I get back. The Army Times had an article about us today, that those who serve in Vietnam don't have to attend any meetings or summer camp (I wasn't going to anyway - no matter what!).

Pix called again tonight and gave me the latest skinny. He gets his staff Sgt. stripes tomorrow. Gin still loves him but she's out of his life except for an occasional piece if he feels the need and she's willing. Gary and Linda (his brother) are in their new house and love their pool. Bruce leaves here on November 13th. He thanks you for the popcorn and says he'll write soon.

I really love the watch you bought me dear. It really is accurate now so that I don't even have to reset it except once a month. Thank You!

1l:00 pm:

It's a good thing I started this early. "Grand Prix" was on and just finished, so I'm on my way to bed. It got so chilly at the movie that I came back and put on long pants and a long sleeve shirt. I stubbed my little toe while doing so too. Can you believe that I was actually cold over here? It's summer too, but the rain makes it cold at night. You should take a shower here, wow! I love you dear, stay sweet.

Cu-Chi, Sunday, July 13, 9:00 pm:

I received your tape today but no letter. I hope you don't stop writing to your poor husband just because you don't understand his ways.

I'm very sorry to hear that Larry and Barbara fight so much with each other. For someone married such a short time they should still be in bedroom heaven. If they're fighting that much now it can only get worse.

I didn't go to church today. I went to the swimming pool instead and got a glorious sunburn on my white body. At least there's a little color to my skin now even if it is red.

I went over to buy a tape recorder at the PX today but they were all gone by the time I got there. I even almost was going to buy a different one than I had planned just because I'm anxious to buy one. I've been saving every penny for two months and I only now have enough to pay for it. Maybe soon.

I'm glad to hear that Nikki is healthy and happy. She has fought a hard battle to get this far.

You wouldn't believe how hard it rained today, just after we came back from the pool. My hootch was like an island in the middle of a muddy lake. We had - to fill in the ditches around here so the water just sits and makes mud.

I can't think of anything more to write for now. I'd send you a tape but they don't have anymore at the PX right now. But as soon as they come in I'll send you a nice tape.

Goodnight dear, I still love you.

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