December 17, 1968.  Fort Bragg, North Carolina.


Hi Beautiful!

I’m afraid this is going to have to be short again – I’ve got KP tomorrow so must get to bed early.  And I have to write the folks again – it’s been a week since my last one.  Should write Bob too, but he’s going to have to wait.

I went in and talked to the CO* tonight.  I’ve been having a hell of a time catching him in up to now.  Anyway, he assured me I would be able to take my leave when I wanted it.  Remember the first sergeant said he thought I could but wouldn’t promise.  I’m glad to know for sure.  I could imagine what a mess it would create if it had to be postponed at the last minute!

Actually we’re not [getting] our pre-deployment leave until February 11 – March 11, but the major said he’d let me go anyway.  But – he probably won’t be able to get me the partial pay I wanted.  He’s going to try though.  He tried to talk me into waiting until February so I could get it, but I told him our plans were too far along to change them now.  I imagine you’ve even ordered the announcements by now, haven’t you?

In the letter I got from you today you said you didn’t care about a big wedding – “a judge would do just fine.”  You know, you’re lucky you didn’t say that a month ago or I would have held you to it.  But I guess there’s no way I’d do that when I know how much it really means to you.

Say – do you know any more about Dale**?  I haven’t had time to write him yet, but I thought maybe you’ve seen him around since I talked to you.

I’m going to have to finish this up now honey.  But I’m counting the days until I see you again.  Only one month from tomorrow until I’ll be home.  I have a feeling our wedding day will come almost too fast.  We’ll have a lot to do in that week.

I love you, Rita.

Forever,

Jeff

PS.  We found out that our battalion’s CO & XO*** who were in Nam with the other half of our battalion, were killed when their ship was shot down.

*Commanding Officer

**Old boyfriend

***Executive Officer