| Somewhere in
Vietnam 29
April 1967
Dear Dad & Mom, We have been in the mountains for two days now. It has really been some work let me tell you. We fired some rounds nite before last so now each of us is carrying only one round. These mountains are wet and muddy. They back up the water cuz everything is terraced. They sure lead a rugged life. There were dead VC all along the trail yesterday. We were just going to move out but set back us cuz there is action up ahead so we may be firing more rounds. The leeches were bad as hell nite before last. We had to set up on the side of the mountain and there wasn't much room. After you pull them off you bleed like hell. We are in a good location today tho. There is plenty of cover and it is dry. We got goodies from the Red Cross the other day. There was candy, cigs, gun, razor blades and soap. Was definitely a treat! The other companies got mail but ours is lost in the area somewhere. I hope we get it today. We get resupplied so maybe it will be on one of the choppers. It rained a bit last nite and was a lot colder than down in the flats. I wish we'd get out of here cuz there is too much shit going on. Carrico, the guy I came down from MAF with, gave up the other day. He said he sprained his ankle so he had to be med. evacuated. He was a big pussy anyway. Pisses me off! He had no drive or manliness about him. All of us were sick and tired but we made it. Another thing is the water problem. This is one place I won't drink without purification tablets. Quite a few have had dysentery from not using their tablets. We carry three canteens and it is still hard to conserve it. I make sure and get my salt tablets before we start humping and then while we are moving. It is gonna be hotter than hell again, the clouds have all moved. It seems they always pick the hottest part of the day to move out. We gotta go 4000 meters today so its gonna be a bear. I hope I can wash out my trousers today. They are filthy and are beginning to stink a bit. What I'd give for a shower! I hope I can get R&R when we get out of the field. I think now it will really be worth taking. My face was sun-burned bad the other day but really feels good now. I been leaving my shirt off a bit each day so am starting to get brown a bit more. If we stay out as they say we are, in four months, I'll have a good tan. I think they will have to send out some hand clippers and give us haircuts again too. At least around the neck and ears. I am glad we got all our hair cut off but I would like to have a bit for R&R. We signed the pay roster yesterday so will get paid in the field. I put NONE so my money can just ride on the books. I have sixty bucks and at this rate I should have it when I go on R&R. Eventually we are to go to Tam Khe and set up a new Battalion Area. I hope it is true cuz 8 months straight of humping is too much. We are north and east of Tam Khe now about 20 some miles. Maybe you can find it on that map I left at home. It is somewhere between Chu Lai and Da Nang. I supppose you are busy and excited with my little sister's big day coming up. I would have to miss it. Is the 18th of May still the day? When is graduation day again, I forgot. I bet Joe and Jerry are anxious for school to be out. Do they have any work lined up for the summer? You know, I have asked before for them to write. I sure would enjoy their letters I bet. Get em hot, huh. I haven't heard from Ledlow lately so don't know what the scoop on him is. I will close now and see if I can go wash my clothes, shave and scrub my grimy body a bit. I love you and miss all of you. Kiss my Rose for me and give my love to Jim & Bev. Love, your son Alan XXXX OOOO XXXX |