← Part of Letters from Vietnam
letter
Letter to Terrie, c. early 1970 — the physical and mental tests, and 'one step above a trainee'
Undated early-service letter from Charlie to Terrie, from his Army training/reception period (placed c. early 1970 from internal evidence: 'things are going to get financially tight the first half of 1970'). He urges Terrie to save money and find a good summer job, reports passing the physical test that morning with the mental test the next day, complains of a sore throat and cold he can't shake, and notes that unless he does something greatly wrong he'll at least get promoted to 'one step above a trainee.' 'I hate this place.' A short closing page (dad208) follows: he can't think of much else to say that they won't already have discussed when he calls. Signed 'Love, Charles.' Transcribed from scans dad206 (duplicate dad207) and dad208.
An undated letter from Charlie’s Army training/reception period, placed c. early 1970 from the reference to money being “tight the first half of 1970.” Transcribed from scan dad206 (a duplicate re-scan exists as dad207.jp2) and its closing page, dad208. The closing is matched by pencil, hand and scan series; the two pages were not found physically together, so the pairing is probable rather than certain.
Dear Terrie,
You better save as much money as you can. It seems from what I’ve heard things are going to get financially tight the first half of 1970 at least. A 3% loan looks good. I hope you find a good job this summer.
We had our physical test this morning. I did alright and I’m glad it’s over. Tomorrow morning we have our mental test and it should all be over.
I’ve had a sore throat and cold the last week and a half. It’s getting to me. I can’t seem to shake it.
I’ve found out for sure that unless I do something greatly wrong I’ll at least get promoted. Then I’ll be just one step above a trainee. I hate this place.
[page 2:] Can’t think of much else to say that we won’t already have discussed when I call.
Love Charles
Source: Vietnam-letter scan corpus,
src/assets/family/originals/vietnam-letters/dad206.jpg(duplicate: dad207.jp2) anddad208.jpg(closing, converted from dad208.jp2). Handwriting transcribed best-effort.
Scans
