Somewhere in Vietnam

23 March 1967

Dear Jim, Beverly and Monique,

      Well Jim, March is almost gone.  Means I am another month shorter!  I sure have been lax in my correspondence but when I'm off all I feel like doing is resting.

      I am happy Jack is home and doing okay.  Will he get a medical discharge or what?  Ledlow is up where the action is really tough.  He leaves in April or June.  April if he gets a college cut and June if not.  Guess we won't be able to get together before he leaves.  He is going to Ft. Lewis when he gets home.

      You are getting a nice piece of man from the Fort.  Hope I get something back.  Dad hasn't said anything about my tax work yet.

      What is the word on George Lee"  Get him hot and have him write.  It would sure be swell to get a letter from him.  I always liked old "Pinchie Lee".  How many "crumb grabbers" does he have now?

      Been going to Mass and communion quite often.  Went again tonite with Sgt. Conner.  Father is really a great guy.  We give him hell for being in the Navy.  After Easter, he is going to come down to the club.  Sgt. Conner invited him to the NCO club.  I hope I can get in too.  I can see it all now.  Ha!

      It is really getting hot now.  Sweat pours off me all day long.  I have been showering 2 & 3 times a day.  I am gonna quit starching my utilities too.  I can't see being uncomfortable when it isn't really necessary or practical.

      Everyone around us has been getting hit at nite.  One of these nites we are gonna catch hell!  There are an estimated 10,000 VC in the DaNang area.  This is between you and me cuz I don't want Mom to worry.  When it is over and I am home then I can tell everything.  It is getting rough and it is going to be worse pretty soon.  I expect the Army to take over here and us to go to the DMZ at Dong Ha.  There hasn't been any word on it but I think it will.  After the marines secured Saigon, the Army took over.  There will be a lot of changes soon.  General Walt will be leaving in May or June.

      I see in the Press, where the Fire Dept. had another bash.  They aren't much but I still miss them.  Always ended up in a good drunk.

      Well, I wish ya a Happy & Blessed Easter.

Love, your brother

Alan