← Part of Letters from Vietnam
letter
Letter to Terrie, c. late October 1970 — Hawaii, the November leave, and 'move in with me'
Undated Vietnam letter from Charlie to Terrie, placed c. late October 1970 from internal evidence: he is 'eligible after Nov 16 when it takes effect' for a rumored 3-week stateside leave and hopes to 'be home X-mas,' and R&R in Hawaii is on the table. He reassures her not to take his letters so seriously ('I love you, everything will work out all right'), jokes about whether he proposed they live together before the wedding, notes the PX stereo will still run about $1000, and hasn't yet received her second package. Signed 'Love, Charles.' Transcribed from scans dad203–dad205; the letter's opening page was not located in the scan set, so the transcription begins mid-sentence.
The opening page of this letter was not located in the scan set; the transcription begins mid-sentence on the surviving pages (scans dad203–dad205). It is dated c. late October 1970 from internal evidence — the pending “Nov 16” leave eligibility and the hope of being home for Christmas.
… the most appropriate time to get married. In your letters you sound like our marriage is a bygone thing (only kidding). I’m glad you miss me.
No, I have not yet received your second package. Kool-aid is always nice and it isn’t that cold. I still sweat when we move any great distance, even when it’s raining.
I never heard of [Muller?] lady unless he is referring to an air mattress. I’m always hopeful I’ll get back safe and get out of the army too. Right now guys are getting out 30 days early. I won’t be able to get out any earlier, for good school though.
Wow!!! Did I propose to live together next summer before we got married? If I did I was only kidding. If you want to move in with me it is fine with me next summer. You seem to take my letters far too seriously. Don’t worry, I love you, everything will work out all right.
No, I won’t be getting the stereo through the PX, but it will be a discount price. It still is going to cost around $1000 though.
No, it wouldn’t upset me if we met in Hawaii. It would only be for 1 week, as R&R is 1 week.
Your article — and a similar one — to one of the other guys arrived in your last letter. I hadn’t heard anything about a 3-week leave back to the U.S., but according to the article I’m eligible after Nov 16 when it takes effect. If it is true I’ll try to be home X-mas, but I too can hardly believe it. I’ll confirm or deny it this next week and let you know.
If I got home it would really be hard coming back here.
Well, I guess I’ll close now. I hope to write again tomorrow, and this next week mail should be a little more regular to you.
Love, Charles
Source: Vietnam letter scans dad203–dad205,
src/assets/family/originals/vietnam-letters/. Handwriting transcribed best-effort; bracketed words are uncertain readings.
Scans
