Friday, October 17, 1969.  Camp Eagle, Vietnam.

 

Hi Beautiful!

Tonite I’m going to finish answering those two letters like I promised last nite.  And then I have one I got today to answer too.  Keep them coming like that and I won’t mind a bit.

Let’s see, where was I?  Don’t be surprised if I repeat myself from last nite.  I’ve answered all your letters in my head, and can’t remember which ones I put on paper.

First I’ll say that if I do extend for 2 ½ months, we should be able to save more than $300 in that time even after your school expenses.  For three more months a hundred dollars will go to the bank.  I’ll be over two years service then, so I’ll save about a hundred a month here, fifty more if I make five.  Plus your allotment.  So, if we could save it all, that extra time would be worth about $800 to us.  Of course it never comes out as much as you expected, but it would be a pretty penny.

What you said about getting into South Dakota during the winter is true.  Of course we could always fly into Sioux Falls which is usually open.  But, I figure I’ll probably want to use my whole 30 days at home, or at least most of them.  We’ll probably just leave early enough to have time to find a place to live before I report in.

What you said about even the motel people not seeing us for a couple of days when I get back made me stop and think about where we’ll live for that month.  Why don’t we stay at our place?  With Dex and Brian gone we could have the whole upstairs to ourselves.  Just move from room to room when the sheets get messed up!  And they will, believe me.

You know Reet, taking Duch[ess] along with us to our next post is going to cause some problems.  Many motels won’t allow dogs – at least that large a dog – and many places like trailer courts and apartments don’t allow them either.  Don’t get me wrong – I want to take her and we will, but I figured I’d warn you.

I like Les’ idea about you writing me twice a day. He knows how great it is to get mail from home when you’re over here.  But I don’t think you’d have enough to say after a few days, even if you could find the time.  So I won’t expect anything like that.

What’s this bit about your biology lab being 466 feet long?  What’s with the feet?  I don’t get it.

When you said all your ID cards are in your married name, does that include your driver’s license?  I would assume it does, but last I heard you hadn’t changed it yet.  Just wondering.

The idea of Xmas pictures is entirely up to you.  I really think it’s a good idea tho, if it doesn’t get too expensive.  I presume you mean getting them made up on Xmas cards, right?  You weren’t too clear on that.

Yes, you told me about wearing your grubs to Waiting Wives last time.  So this time, on grub nite, you had to go get dressed up, huh?  Figures.  But it sounds like you plan to go along with the formal one alright.  I doubt if that floor length bit would go over too big with most my friends when we entertain.  They like to use their imagination but not that much!

Say, I don’t believe I’ve told you about our hootch mother.  There’s a lady back in Maryland who sends our hootch a package full of snacks and magazines and candy every so often.  Nobody here knows her or why she does it, but it’s sure appreciated.  This week alone we’ve received three packages, altho it’s usually one a week.  This has been going on since anyone can remember, and some guys who were here nearly 18 months said it was going on when they first came here.  Some kind of gal!

One of the first friends I made when I came here was a SP5 names O.B. (just called O.B.).  He made Staff Sergeant the other day—went up for it from his old company.  Goes to show how a good company makes a difference.  He came over as Sp4 two months before I did.  Now he’s my section sergeant.

I’ve been meaning to tell you about our dog too.  We have a dog who belongs to the hootch.  His name is Sean (or Shawn, I don’t know how it’s spelled, and I don’t think anyone else does either).  He has the run of the hootch, and sleeps where he feels like it. That used to be on my foot locker beside my bed, but he’s found a new place lately.  Right now he’s asleep on my foot.  Friendliest dog I’ve ever seen, except towards gooks.  He hates them with a passion.  And he drinks more beer than I do.  Ever seen a dog with a hangover?  It’s hilarious!

So I’ve got a horny wife waiting on me, huh?  Well listen gal, you’ve got a horny husband too.  And I can wait to get back and do something about it for both of us! Of course you keep me horny whenever I’m around you anyway, but at least then I can do something about it.  And I will, believe me!

Good night Rita.  I love you with all my heart, and always will.   Keep counting – 156 days!

All My Love,

Jeff