| Somewhere in
Vietnam 21 May 1967
Dear Jim & Bev & Regina, I am waiting for my turn to go to chow so thought I'd best get a line off to you. I suppose you know by now we are out of the field and are at Tam Ky. We are security for the supply center here. This is where we were resupplied from while out in the Bush. I tell you brother, it sure is a good feeling to be here where there are showers and decent chow. We have even been getting our beer ration every day, plus what we buy from the Zips. They charge 50 cents for a coke but if we all get our heads together we could easily bring it down to 25 cents. I haven't been paid since the 14th of April but I really don't need any money. I drew $80.00 then and still have $60.00. If I can find a post office I'll send it home for the bank. Today is Sunday but I will probably miss Mass. We are going on a patrol at 09:00 and won't be back until around 14:00. We had a Mass for the Dead Thursday after we came in. I wish I could tell you all the shit I've been thru and seen Jim but I will save it until I come home. Speaking of coming home, I have 193 days left now. It is a good feeling to be under 200! I am with "K" Company now in weapons section. I should be an E-4 soon. I was put up for it after the Operation but then the word was changed cuz I was still with H&S Company. But now I am with "K" Company permanently so no sweat. I have to go to chow now, so will finish this later. Alan Hi again! We are back in from our patrol now. We never hit anything so all went well. We are looking for VC mortar positions. They have what is called an 82 mortar. They can fire our 81 rounds but we can't fire theirs. In one of the villages we went thru, a cow had her calf while we were there. A little Vietnamese girl helped the cow along as tho she had been doing it for years. One thing since I have been in the field, I have truly seen life as it was years ago. These people way out in the mountains are so far back you wouldn't believe it. They have some beautiful farmland in places tho. The women are the workers cuz out there we saw no men. I just got myself a nice chunk of ice and two cokes so I am sitting here writing in style. I think they could ask $1.00 a bottle and get it. Never before in my life have I enjoyed something cold so much. I don't know if my mail will ever catch up with me. I know it was over at "Mike" Company but I don't know where it went from there. The last letter I received from you was the day I left the field and its in my seabag in Chu Lai so I can't answer the questions if you asked any. God, it is hot! We are along a bank in an open field and its a bitch. There is no shade except for the houches we built and they get hotter than hell inside. Would you believe I have wall-to-wall carpeting tho! Yes, I put sandbags all over the deck. Jim Ledlow is in Da Nang now wouldn't you know. It's a good thing he got away from Camp Carrol. They got hit pretty bad. I guess Beverly is pretty well along now. I was happy to hear she has been feeling better. You just make sure she takes it easy and is careful. I am glad the folks may move to Moab but I would like to see Mom be there when the baby arrives. I guess Jeanne will be living in D.C. tho, huh! She can take care of my Rose Blossom. I bet she is really growing. I hear she is getting a tan and is looking good and healthy. Bless her heart! I sure miss her, Jim. The battalion armorer is from Grand Junction. I haven't been able to talk to him much tho. Also met a guy from Northglen. That's where Charlie's parents live. I tried to get two Mother's Day cards so I could send Beverly one but could get only one. Anyhow I wish her a late happy Mother's Day! It's the thought that counts! Note my new address! I hope it remains the same for awhile! I am going to close now Jim. It is hot and miserable and I am tired. I think of you often and miss you all very very much. My prayers are with my loved ones also. Love, your brother Alan XXX for my Rose |