August 20
Dear Mother and Children:
How is everybody around your house today? I hope you are all happy and sweet as can be. As for old Dad, he is considerably irritated. Somebody stole my radio yesterday while I was at work. It was locked in my room and the maid was the only one who had a chance to get it. Whoever got it even took a spare battery and the box it came in, including the sales ticket. We can't prove the maid got it but I think she will be fired anyway. But, it's gone and there's no good in crying over spilled milk or stolen radios.
I have made up my mind to move out to the barracks as soon as a room is vacant, probably about Sept. 6. It would mean a 3 minute bus ride or 10 minute walk instead of 30-45 minutes bus ride twice a day. Also, I can leave work early sometimes. As it is, we only have regular bus service at the school early in the morning, at noon, or at 6 p.m. so to leave any other time means catch a ride if you can or a 5 minute walk and 3 bus changes. Other advantages would be: BX 1 block, library 500 feet, Church (base chapel with L.D.S. meeting) 1/4 mile, service club, snack bar, movie, swimming pool, bank, hobby shop, etc. all within 1/4 mile. It would be a small 1-man room. The barracks is a tropical style one and is real comfortable. Disadvantages would be no private bath, not as good a chow hall and maybe more interruptions from neighbors but there would not be the city traffic noise. It would cost the same for maid services. Many of the guys I'm working with live there now, including my boss. And it would get me out of downtown. You know how I hate big cities anyway.
You have probably read and heard about the congressional hearing on drug use over here. I don't think my outfit has much of a problem but I understand that thing are really popping at Cam Rahn Bay. One of my men just came back from there and that they arrested about 1/2 the S.P.'s there yesterday as pushers, etc. It probably will be in the papers before you get this.
Hey, how about putting one of your little calendars in the next letter. I have lost mine. Might not even know when to come home.
We did a lot of work yesterday and today in re-arranging my supply room and I can see plenty of work to do. But then, I've got a lot of time to do it so I took this afternoon off. This Capt. that is the school commander thinks all his NCO's should work an 11 hour day like he does. Of course, he is afraid to trust his NCO's so that is the reason for his being there all day. He only has 60 more days to go.
I seem to be awfully short of things to write about today. Did I tell you that I love you, Mother? How about Jimmy? And Susan? Did I, Peanuts? I spose I love Carol, too. Any how, I love you all. And I miss you very much. See you tomorrow - in a letter.
Your curly-headed Daddy, Jim
Sunday
19 August 1970
August 19
Dear little family,
Greetings from dear old Saigon. Hope you are all well and happy. I got your letter of the 15th today and of course I was glad to get it, even if the girls did write their sad tale of woe about the rags and hairy legs. Cheer up, it can only get better. And think of all the space in your closet and that big, clean room.
Darling, I will try to write you personal notes from time to time but usually it will be "family" letter. By the time you read this you probably will be back from Jubilee tired and excited and all worn out but I hope you have a ball. It should be in the new building this time. I'll be thinking of you.
And I'm sure Carol was excited about her trip too. I'll be waiting to hear from her.
I love your poem you sent and I'll try to remember it.
I took those 3 Church News that you sent with me Sunday and I thought there would be a fight over them. They were "new" to everybody and you are doing something to send them.
Don't you believe that I'm rich. Like I wrote, my living expenses are almost exactly $2 a day, there are at least 12 days to payday and I have $24.35.
I really don't think you should worry about your colored hostesses now. You are getting plenty of parties now without them and I don't want you to be pushing hard. Next spring if it looks like you could, and would want to be promoted will be plenty of time to go back and work them. That joke about the anti-litter campaign was __________. I told it to a couple of guys and they laughed.
Well, news is short and I'm tired so I'll stop for now. Remember, I love you all.
Love and kisses, Daddy
Dear little family,
Greetings from dear old Saigon. Hope you are all well and happy. I got your letter of the 15th today and of course I was glad to get it, even if the girls did write their sad tale of woe about the rags and hairy legs. Cheer up, it can only get better. And think of all the space in your closet and that big, clean room.
Darling, I will try to write you personal notes from time to time but usually it will be "family" letter. By the time you read this you probably will be back from Jubilee tired and excited and all worn out but I hope you have a ball. It should be in the new building this time. I'll be thinking of you.
And I'm sure Carol was excited about her trip too. I'll be waiting to hear from her.
I love your poem you sent and I'll try to remember it.
I took those 3 Church News that you sent with me Sunday and I thought there would be a fight over them. They were "new" to everybody and you are doing something to send them.
Don't you believe that I'm rich. Like I wrote, my living expenses are almost exactly $2 a day, there are at least 12 days to payday and I have $24.35.
I really don't think you should worry about your colored hostesses now. You are getting plenty of parties now without them and I don't want you to be pushing hard. Next spring if it looks like you could, and would want to be promoted will be plenty of time to go back and work them. That joke about the anti-litter campaign was __________. I told it to a couple of guys and they laughed.
Well, news is short and I'm tired so I'll stop for now. Remember, I love you all.
Love and kisses, Daddy
Thursday
18 August 1970
August 18
Dear Happy family,
As I am waiting for the day to end, I will try and write a little note to you. I guess it is official that I am Senior Advisor in charge of Training Aids and Laboratory. That means that I supply the equipment that the instructors use in teaching. I have 7 people working for me, 1 TSgt, 1 SSgt, 1 Sgt, 1 A/C, 2 VN women and 1 VN man.
We have 2 tape laboratories with 60 stations in each where we play tapes while they listen and talk back to the tape. These 2 labs are operated by the women. Then we have a supply room where we issue tapes and recorders to instructors for use in their classrooms. We also issue tests, charts, maps, etc. My office is in the supply room where the VN man works. Then I have 2 repair shops where the G.I.'s work. I am supposed to have 4 more V.N.A.F. men working in the shops and hope to get them in a few days. We have 40 tape recorders, about 1500 reels of tape and 400 small dictionaries. I am also part time supply Sgt and misc. other jobs. My duty hours now are from 7 am to 6 pm but I don't have to be here all day, every day.
My boss is a real fine MSgt but the OIC is a Capt. like the south side of a horse but he only has 60 days to go and the major who will replace him is real great.
I think I'll like things here better than where I was. It is all on the ground floor where the other was 6 stories high. They are building a new building here that will be 3 floors. When it is finished sometime in 1971 they will combine 5 parts of the school here. It is on the edge of Saigon,near the country and about 3 miles from TSN airfield.
Working longer days should make the time pass faster. I think I'll be fairly busy, not too much time to sit around on the job. At least, there is a lot that I can do, if I want to.
I didn't get a letter from you today but I can't complain - I got 3 yesterday.
But the way, when I said check at Sears on a tape recorder, I didn't mean to get one necessarily. If its going to be too much, I'd rather just forget about that idea and buy a big one that we can all enjoy after I get back. I don't have a lot of faith in these small ones, even the best ones.
It has been real cool and pleasant all day with a good breeze and no rain.
I got a haircut on my lunch hour today and will I be glad to get a bath. I think more went down my back than on the floor.
Well, time to go survey my domain (check that everybody is working) so I'll close for now. I'll send a bunch of hugs and kisses to you all. Divide them out evenly.
Love, Daddy
Dear Happy family,
As I am waiting for the day to end, I will try and write a little note to you. I guess it is official that I am Senior Advisor in charge of Training Aids and Laboratory. That means that I supply the equipment that the instructors use in teaching. I have 7 people working for me, 1 TSgt, 1 SSgt, 1 Sgt, 1 A/C, 2 VN women and 1 VN man.
We have 2 tape laboratories with 60 stations in each where we play tapes while they listen and talk back to the tape. These 2 labs are operated by the women. Then we have a supply room where we issue tapes and recorders to instructors for use in their classrooms. We also issue tests, charts, maps, etc. My office is in the supply room where the VN man works. Then I have 2 repair shops where the G.I.'s work. I am supposed to have 4 more V.N.A.F. men working in the shops and hope to get them in a few days. We have 40 tape recorders, about 1500 reels of tape and 400 small dictionaries. I am also part time supply Sgt and misc. other jobs. My duty hours now are from 7 am to 6 pm but I don't have to be here all day, every day.
My boss is a real fine MSgt but the OIC is a Capt. like the south side of a horse but he only has 60 days to go and the major who will replace him is real great.
I think I'll like things here better than where I was. It is all on the ground floor where the other was 6 stories high. They are building a new building here that will be 3 floors. When it is finished sometime in 1971 they will combine 5 parts of the school here. It is on the edge of Saigon,near the country and about 3 miles from TSN airfield.
Working longer days should make the time pass faster. I think I'll be fairly busy, not too much time to sit around on the job. At least, there is a lot that I can do, if I want to.
I didn't get a letter from you today but I can't complain - I got 3 yesterday.
But the way, when I said check at Sears on a tape recorder, I didn't mean to get one necessarily. If its going to be too much, I'd rather just forget about that idea and buy a big one that we can all enjoy after I get back. I don't have a lot of faith in these small ones, even the best ones.
It has been real cool and pleasant all day with a good breeze and no rain.
I got a haircut on my lunch hour today and will I be glad to get a bath. I think more went down my back than on the floor.
Well, time to go survey my domain (check that everybody is working) so I'll close for now. I'll send a bunch of hugs and kisses to you all. Divide them out evenly.
Love, Daddy
Tuesday
17 August 1970
17 August
Dear Family,
Today I got three letters from you and you bet! that made me happy. Today has been a long, busy day for me as it was my first day at TSN. I still don't have a job for sure but may take over the audio-visual department including a learning laboratory with 120 tape deck teaching machines. It is a big operation with 5-8 people working for me but won't know for sure until tomorrow so more on that later.
Chalk up another one for the postal system. On the day I mailed that letter to the Fords, I also sent one to you, your folks and my mom. I dropped all four in the box at the same time.
I just don't know what to think about getter a letter almost every day from the man of the house. But I'm glad for them. I couldn't tell from that clipping though where he will go to school but it sounds like Silas Mahone again.
It sure is a shame that Carol took all of you girls good clothes with her. Did Bro. Barlow take a trailer to haul them? I hope she got off all right. Actually, she should be arriving shortly after I am writing this. $120 should be enough for her. When will she be home, about the 28 or 29th?
That sure is some wild stationery you are using, Mother. Why don't you check with Sears for a cassette type tape recorder and see what they ask? Who checked yours out, did you try Leo's where we got the refrigerator? If not, try them first.
About those ants, I'm sure the rain is the big cause. Did that dust that I bought ever get spread? If not take a tin can and punch holes in it so it can be shook out like a salt shaker. Dust it all over under the house, specially around all the posts and pipes that they can crawl up. Be careful not to breathe too much and wash real good with soap afterward.
When I went to that Mexican joint I was with 3 guys I work with. I haven't been back since. All the K.P.'s are hired civilians but they have a big machine that washes and sterilizes the dishes. We eat from Melmac trays here.
By the way Peanuts, I didn't mean to slight you with that remark about your brother writing every day. It's just that you have done it from the very first and I just expect a letter from you everyday. I just didn't know such "Brains" lived at my house to win such a fabulous prize. After that, you both better be "Straight A" students this year. And don't throw those records away, maybe there are some that the mortician would appreciate.
What did I just write about being careful in cleaning out the gutter? You see, I can almost picture what is happening. Maybe you should have tied a rope around her neck for safety if she slipped. Just wait until I get my hands on that Carol. Imagine!! She said I had a "cute, pudgy" face. Where does she think she got her good looks from?
If Crest is the answer to dental bills, you better by a case of it and eat it for breakfast.
Jimmy, how come you didn't just pick those big, hairy worms off the azalea bushes and step on them. By the way, how is your friend Mr. Mitchell. Do you visit with him a lot?
Mother, is it true that you just nag, nag, nag? You know you shouldn't do that. Unless they need it of course.
Did the Fords drive to New Jersey? I'm looking forward to a letter from them.
I guess Carol could waited until the second time Clayton called. But that's her problem. I sure hope you have gotten the brakes on the Redbug fixed by now. I know it can be annoying. They should have put on new brake linings when they fixed the leak.
Did you buy Zachary some liver when you sold her child? You had better treat her good.
It has been almost cold here the last couple of days. It was down to about 70 degrees this morning. Of course it has rained or been cloudy for three days now. They say March and April when it gets real dry are the hot months, sometimes 110 degrees or more.
Well, I'm about written out and its time for bed, 8:30 p.m., so I'll close for now. I love each one of you and miss you so very much. See you tomorrow - in another letter.
All my love,
Dad
Dear Family,
Today I got three letters from you and you bet! that made me happy. Today has been a long, busy day for me as it was my first day at TSN. I still don't have a job for sure but may take over the audio-visual department including a learning laboratory with 120 tape deck teaching machines. It is a big operation with 5-8 people working for me but won't know for sure until tomorrow so more on that later.
Chalk up another one for the postal system. On the day I mailed that letter to the Fords, I also sent one to you, your folks and my mom. I dropped all four in the box at the same time.
I just don't know what to think about getter a letter almost every day from the man of the house. But I'm glad for them. I couldn't tell from that clipping though where he will go to school but it sounds like Silas Mahone again.
It sure is a shame that Carol took all of you girls good clothes with her. Did Bro. Barlow take a trailer to haul them? I hope she got off all right. Actually, she should be arriving shortly after I am writing this. $120 should be enough for her. When will she be home, about the 28 or 29th?
That sure is some wild stationery you are using, Mother. Why don't you check with Sears for a cassette type tape recorder and see what they ask? Who checked yours out, did you try Leo's where we got the refrigerator? If not, try them first.
About those ants, I'm sure the rain is the big cause. Did that dust that I bought ever get spread? If not take a tin can and punch holes in it so it can be shook out like a salt shaker. Dust it all over under the house, specially around all the posts and pipes that they can crawl up. Be careful not to breathe too much and wash real good with soap afterward.
When I went to that Mexican joint I was with 3 guys I work with. I haven't been back since. All the K.P.'s are hired civilians but they have a big machine that washes and sterilizes the dishes. We eat from Melmac trays here.
By the way Peanuts, I didn't mean to slight you with that remark about your brother writing every day. It's just that you have done it from the very first and I just expect a letter from you everyday. I just didn't know such "Brains" lived at my house to win such a fabulous prize. After that, you both better be "Straight A" students this year. And don't throw those records away, maybe there are some that the mortician would appreciate.
What did I just write about being careful in cleaning out the gutter? You see, I can almost picture what is happening. Maybe you should have tied a rope around her neck for safety if she slipped. Just wait until I get my hands on that Carol. Imagine!! She said I had a "cute, pudgy" face. Where does she think she got her good looks from?
If Crest is the answer to dental bills, you better by a case of it and eat it for breakfast.
Jimmy, how come you didn't just pick those big, hairy worms off the azalea bushes and step on them. By the way, how is your friend Mr. Mitchell. Do you visit with him a lot?
Mother, is it true that you just nag, nag, nag? You know you shouldn't do that. Unless they need it of course.
Did the Fords drive to New Jersey? I'm looking forward to a letter from them.
I guess Carol could waited until the second time Clayton called. But that's her problem. I sure hope you have gotten the brakes on the Redbug fixed by now. I know it can be annoying. They should have put on new brake linings when they fixed the leak.
Did you buy Zachary some liver when you sold her child? You had better treat her good.
It has been almost cold here the last couple of days. It was down to about 70 degrees this morning. Of course it has rained or been cloudy for three days now. They say March and April when it gets real dry are the hot months, sometimes 110 degrees or more.
Well, I'm about written out and its time for bed, 8:30 p.m., so I'll close for now. I love each one of you and miss you so very much. See you tomorrow - in another letter.
All my love,
Dad
15 August /16 August 1970
15 August
Dear Family,
Happy birthday, dear mother, happy birthday to you. I hope you had a happy day today and don't feel any older.
Congratulations, Carol on your award. I know you will be away when the letter comes, but I'll say it anyway. I am proud of you and I know Y.C. next year will be great if you help to plan it. One little hint of advice from old Dad, write down every little detail, both good and bad from this year now and then you will have good references next year. It's so easy to forget. Of course your #1 reason for not enjoying this year won't help too much, boys will always be choosing "younger" women.
I'll bet the Linds were really good speakers. I heard him on a Priesthood broadcast a year or so ago.
I'm kind of disappointed in the boys from the branch too, but, Y.C. is to help widen your circle of friends and meet new, different people. You see the kids from your own branch almost every day. Don't think the world only goes as far as you can see it.
Sounds like you had some real fireworks across the street. Speaking of people up on the roof, did anyone ever clean out the gutter along the front porch? It was plugged with leaves, you know. But, BE CAREFUL - DON'T FALL OFF!! A bath by candle light sounds romantic. How about it, Nancy?
Thanks for the blessing. I just felt like I needed it here to read once in a while. I got a nice letter from Pres. Griner today, too. I really appreciated it.
I just heard on the radio that the corn blight like you sent me the clipping on has spread all over the midwest and may cut the U.S. corn crop by 1/2. That's sure bad.
No, Nancy, I don't get Southern Serenade on my radio but the FM station here has good music like the one in Valdosta. The other military station (AM) has all kinds of music, stories, sports, etc. Then there are 3 or 4 Vietnamese stations but their music is worse than Japan.
Hey Man, you had better be glad school starts in 2 more weeks. Your last couple of letters have been pretty good but the spelling could be better. I want to see a report card with all "A's" & "B's" from you this year. I know you can do it, just don't play as much, specially with girls. You had better watch for Granddaddy on those one-way streets. He is getting kinda old and doesn't think so fast sometimes.
I bet your Mom is having kittens over the beer joint. Where did they open it up at? I'll give it 3 months to close up, they are both too hard-headed for it to last any longer.
Today is some sort of holiday here. Kids across the street have been playing with sparklers and now have a fire burning right on the sidewalk.
Even if you don't want to be real mean, you can always call the bank and get the balance on the account. And you know, I don't have any way of checking when you pay off your boyfriend with a check on the other bank. Guess we'll first have to trust each other, suppose?
I'm glad the kids are on my side on the R&R question, even if Mom isn't 100% yet. But, I wrote you more on that the other day, We'll see.
I appreciated your sending the tracts, I hadn't seen the one "Life's Greatest Questions". We have a good stock of all the others here.
I'm afraid that you can only get one paycheck a month from Uncle S. That's all I get too. So if you want another one, you had better talk "Tupperware".
Today I was over to the church and coming back the bus kept me waiting nearly an hour because of an accident. Here is what I saw and did:
First a man rolled out his Lambretta scooter and then he, 3 kids and a little pug-nosed dog got on and rode away. Next, a family of 4 came walking by and as they neared, the man took off his hat and begged me for money, all of them smiling all the while. Then 4 Boy Scouts came by carrying packs to go camping. This was on a busy street, I don't know where they would camp. Then, 2 very nice looking older ladies came by, stopped and showed me a letter, typed in English saying that they were from an orphanage and asking for money. They also had pictures of the children. Since I only had 500 Piastres (about $4.25) I didn't given them any. They went away smiling too.
Then 2 boys about 8-10 years old came by and wanted to talk. Of course they didn't speak English. They had to feel the hair on my arms (these men don't have any) and they wanted me to give them my pencil, cap or anything I would give them. About then it started to rain so I went to a shelter and they left. How's that for 30 minutes of excitement?
Well, I'll close for now and finish tomorrow.
-------------------------------------------------
Note: I was named as Youth of The Year for our mission. The "Linds" being referred to is Astronaut Don Lind who is a member of the Church and the guest speaker at Y.C. = youth conference.
Dad made reference to my not enjoying Youth Conference...Clayton hurt my feelings after hanging out with another girl. The both of us continued our dating until he left for his mission, but Mom never forgave him for hurting me.
The gutter cleaning fell to me and because of the tin roof and water being used to clean out the leaves, I almost fell off the roof, but was stopped when one of my feet got caught in the gutter.
16 August
Well I just got in from Church and its raining frogs and fishes so I'll finish my letter and then when it stops, I'll go get my Sunday paper. I found out where those Scouts were going yesterday. There is a big Buddhist school right by the church and this morning the whole courtyard was filled with Boy and Girl Scouts who had camped there overnight.
Our meetings were real good today. There were 25 for Priesthood and about 40 for Sunday School and Sacrament. They were to baptize a sailor, but I didn't stay for that as this rain was threatening then.
An Army E-6 was supposed to go with me today, but I waited 45 minutes at the bus stop and he didn't show. They asked me to speak next Sunday in Sacrament so I'll try again to get him there.
I sure enjoyed the pictures from the ark and I'll send them back in the next letter. I looks like that would be a good place for a picnic. Let's go!
Like I told you the other day, I start working at TSN tomorrow. I really don't know what I'll be doing or what my hours will be. The school is not really on the base but is near there, kind of out in the country, I think. It will be a change anyway.
I am making progress in my church job, I guess. We have records on all of the VN members, but it takes months of maybe never getting GI records. Please check with the clerk there to see if they have sent out the pink copy of me. They really need it here. Also, the supplies for next year hadn't been ordered so Pres. Andrews asked me to take care of that today. It won't be much, Priesthood, Sunday School and MIA, but he thought that they were ordered back about June 15.
Well, the rain has about stopped and I am out of news so, time to quit.
Be sweet, be careful and God bless you.
Your loving old Dad, Jim
Dear Family,
Happy birthday, dear mother, happy birthday to you. I hope you had a happy day today and don't feel any older.
Congratulations, Carol on your award. I know you will be away when the letter comes, but I'll say it anyway. I am proud of you and I know Y.C. next year will be great if you help to plan it. One little hint of advice from old Dad, write down every little detail, both good and bad from this year now and then you will have good references next year. It's so easy to forget. Of course your #1 reason for not enjoying this year won't help too much, boys will always be choosing "younger" women.
I'll bet the Linds were really good speakers. I heard him on a Priesthood broadcast a year or so ago.
I'm kind of disappointed in the boys from the branch too, but, Y.C. is to help widen your circle of friends and meet new, different people. You see the kids from your own branch almost every day. Don't think the world only goes as far as you can see it.
Sounds like you had some real fireworks across the street. Speaking of people up on the roof, did anyone ever clean out the gutter along the front porch? It was plugged with leaves, you know. But, BE CAREFUL - DON'T FALL OFF!! A bath by candle light sounds romantic. How about it, Nancy?
Thanks for the blessing. I just felt like I needed it here to read once in a while. I got a nice letter from Pres. Griner today, too. I really appreciated it.
I just heard on the radio that the corn blight like you sent me the clipping on has spread all over the midwest and may cut the U.S. corn crop by 1/2. That's sure bad.
No, Nancy, I don't get Southern Serenade on my radio but the FM station here has good music like the one in Valdosta. The other military station (AM) has all kinds of music, stories, sports, etc. Then there are 3 or 4 Vietnamese stations but their music is worse than Japan.
Hey Man, you had better be glad school starts in 2 more weeks. Your last couple of letters have been pretty good but the spelling could be better. I want to see a report card with all "A's" & "B's" from you this year. I know you can do it, just don't play as much, specially with girls. You had better watch for Granddaddy on those one-way streets. He is getting kinda old and doesn't think so fast sometimes.
I bet your Mom is having kittens over the beer joint. Where did they open it up at? I'll give it 3 months to close up, they are both too hard-headed for it to last any longer.
Today is some sort of holiday here. Kids across the street have been playing with sparklers and now have a fire burning right on the sidewalk.
Even if you don't want to be real mean, you can always call the bank and get the balance on the account. And you know, I don't have any way of checking when you pay off your boyfriend with a check on the other bank. Guess we'll first have to trust each other, suppose?
I'm glad the kids are on my side on the R&R question, even if Mom isn't 100% yet. But, I wrote you more on that the other day, We'll see.
I appreciated your sending the tracts, I hadn't seen the one "Life's Greatest Questions". We have a good stock of all the others here.
I'm afraid that you can only get one paycheck a month from Uncle S. That's all I get too. So if you want another one, you had better talk "Tupperware".
Today I was over to the church and coming back the bus kept me waiting nearly an hour because of an accident. Here is what I saw and did:
First a man rolled out his Lambretta scooter and then he, 3 kids and a little pug-nosed dog got on and rode away. Next, a family of 4 came walking by and as they neared, the man took off his hat and begged me for money, all of them smiling all the while. Then 4 Boy Scouts came by carrying packs to go camping. This was on a busy street, I don't know where they would camp. Then, 2 very nice looking older ladies came by, stopped and showed me a letter, typed in English saying that they were from an orphanage and asking for money. They also had pictures of the children. Since I only had 500 Piastres (about $4.25) I didn't given them any. They went away smiling too.
Then 2 boys about 8-10 years old came by and wanted to talk. Of course they didn't speak English. They had to feel the hair on my arms (these men don't have any) and they wanted me to give them my pencil, cap or anything I would give them. About then it started to rain so I went to a shelter and they left. How's that for 30 minutes of excitement?
Well, I'll close for now and finish tomorrow.
-------------------------------------------------
Note: I was named as Youth of The Year for our mission. The "Linds" being referred to is Astronaut Don Lind who is a member of the Church and the guest speaker at Y.C. = youth conference.
Dad made reference to my not enjoying Youth Conference...Clayton hurt my feelings after hanging out with another girl. The both of us continued our dating until he left for his mission, but Mom never forgave him for hurting me.
The gutter cleaning fell to me and because of the tin roof and water being used to clean out the leaves, I almost fell off the roof, but was stopped when one of my feet got caught in the gutter.
16 August
Well I just got in from Church and its raining frogs and fishes so I'll finish my letter and then when it stops, I'll go get my Sunday paper. I found out where those Scouts were going yesterday. There is a big Buddhist school right by the church and this morning the whole courtyard was filled with Boy and Girl Scouts who had camped there overnight.
Our meetings were real good today. There were 25 for Priesthood and about 40 for Sunday School and Sacrament. They were to baptize a sailor, but I didn't stay for that as this rain was threatening then.
An Army E-6 was supposed to go with me today, but I waited 45 minutes at the bus stop and he didn't show. They asked me to speak next Sunday in Sacrament so I'll try again to get him there.
I sure enjoyed the pictures from the ark and I'll send them back in the next letter. I looks like that would be a good place for a picnic. Let's go!
Like I told you the other day, I start working at TSN tomorrow. I really don't know what I'll be doing or what my hours will be. The school is not really on the base but is near there, kind of out in the country, I think. It will be a change anyway.
I am making progress in my church job, I guess. We have records on all of the VN members, but it takes months of maybe never getting GI records. Please check with the clerk there to see if they have sent out the pink copy of me. They really need it here. Also, the supplies for next year hadn't been ordered so Pres. Andrews asked me to take care of that today. It won't be much, Priesthood, Sunday School and MIA, but he thought that they were ordered back about June 15.
Well, the rain has about stopped and I am out of news so, time to quit.
Be sweet, be careful and God bless you.
Your loving old Dad, Jim
14 August 1970
Dear Y'all
How are you all today? Mean and ornery or good and sweet? Got your letter today written last Saturday. Mother said it was the 8th and Nancy said the 7th. I'm glad you agreed on the day of the week anyway. And was I ever surprised. A letter from the boy 2 days in a row!! That's wondrous.
I hope your eye is OK now, Mother. I won't be surprised at anything that happens to the bunch of you from now on, First Carol's toe, now Mother's eye, next Jimmy will probably break his arm by running into an elephant on his bicycle. Who cleans up Chipper's mess?
I got 3 or 4 big brown envelopes including the info on the food. Is that the one you were referring to? Do you want me to send it back to you?
Sorry I failed to comment on the Roadshow pictures. I did enjoy them, the costumes looked real sharp, even the Grandmother.
You said not to jay-walk in traffic here, that is the only way to cross the street most places as there are few lights. But even the trucks watch for pedestrians. The confusion at corners is something to behold. First the biggest and loudest horn all determines right-of-way.
It is raining now and has since noon. I guess it's making up for 3 days it didn't.
But the way, I will be transferred Monday to the Tan Son Nhut school so on my address where "KC" is now, put "TSN". I don't know what my job will be yet, maybe the same thing. It is a lot bigger school with about 180 instructors to our 40. Probably within 2 or 3 months this whole "KC" operation will be turned over to Army & Navy anyway so I'm just as glad. It will be a 25-30 minute bus ride instead of 10.
Sweetie, a maid to make the bed and shine shoes is OK but a wife is still better. As for the rest, you are attractive enough to catch and hold me and I wouldn't want you too slender. I might roll on top of you in bed and smother you. Besides, if you love me that's what really counts, anyway.
I finished reading the books I had & today got "A Bell For Adano". That should be a good one.
It's amazing what you find in reading the scriptures. Read Luke 1:59-66. Bro. & Sis. Johnson are still there, eh. He is a likeable old (and smart) guy. Tell them I said "Hi".
Well, today ends that first month and only 11 more to go.
If you haven't found my Patriarchal Blessing, look in the pockets of my black briefcase, also the small brown one. No, I didn't have one at the office.
Well, it's dinner time so I'll close for now and go out in the rain. Luckily, its only 50 feet to the other door.
I love you all. Be sweet and be careful.
Love & Hugs,
Daddy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Note: According to my diary entry..."Mom got pecked in the eye on Friday and almost went blind."
I have no recollection of anything named "Chipper".
13 August 1970
13 August
Dear Family,
Got your letter today that was written last Friday and I was real glad to hear from you, even that long letter from the man of the house.
Poor Nancy, it sure is a cold, cruel world for 14 year olds these days. But Peanuts, remember it can only get better when things are so bad. Next year will be your big turn for all the nice things. And even your mean old Dad will be home.
You said to get a can of Lysol spray to use in the bathroom after my roommate uses it, well, I have never seen my roommate. He doesn't have anything at all there, just pays the hotel fee each month so his C.O. won't get after him.
Sure glad you passed your driver test, it would be bad if you had to walk or let Carol drive you around.
Don't be too surprised and unhappy if you don't hear from Dave & Erma. You know how I am about writing and I would guess that they are much the same. George should be home by now and I know that makes Lynn happy. Their boys didn't act too bad at the airport, but you could tell the difference between them and Joyce's. Eileen is 13 I think and she really wanted to talk to me a lot. She seemed like a real good kid but Joyce said she was the typical teenager (dates, clothes, etc.) and they had some disagreements. Joyce & Bob are trying to buy a house in the country.
We got the news today that, starting Monday, Aug 17 we (AF) will go to 1 shift a day here at Koepler. That will probably mean that some of the supervisors will be transferred to TSN, and since I am the junior MSgt that may include me. I don't think that I will mind that. I would still live the same place, etc, just catch a different bus to work is all.
Well, that's about the news for today. Pass around a hug from me. Stay sweet, I love you all.
The Old Man,
Daddy
---------------------------
"Peanuts" was dad's nickname for Nancy for as long as I can remember.
Dear Family,
Got your letter today that was written last Friday and I was real glad to hear from you, even that long letter from the man of the house.
Poor Nancy, it sure is a cold, cruel world for 14 year olds these days. But Peanuts, remember it can only get better when things are so bad. Next year will be your big turn for all the nice things. And even your mean old Dad will be home.
You said to get a can of Lysol spray to use in the bathroom after my roommate uses it, well, I have never seen my roommate. He doesn't have anything at all there, just pays the hotel fee each month so his C.O. won't get after him.
Sure glad you passed your driver test, it would be bad if you had to walk or let Carol drive you around.
Don't be too surprised and unhappy if you don't hear from Dave & Erma. You know how I am about writing and I would guess that they are much the same. George should be home by now and I know that makes Lynn happy. Their boys didn't act too bad at the airport, but you could tell the difference between them and Joyce's. Eileen is 13 I think and she really wanted to talk to me a lot. She seemed like a real good kid but Joyce said she was the typical teenager (dates, clothes, etc.) and they had some disagreements. Joyce & Bob are trying to buy a house in the country.
We got the news today that, starting Monday, Aug 17 we (AF) will go to 1 shift a day here at Koepler. That will probably mean that some of the supervisors will be transferred to TSN, and since I am the junior MSgt that may include me. I don't think that I will mind that. I would still live the same place, etc, just catch a different bus to work is all.
Well, that's about the news for today. Pass around a hug from me. Stay sweet, I love you all.
The Old Man,
Daddy
---------------------------
"Peanuts" was dad's nickname for Nancy for as long as I can remember.
12 August 1970
12 August
Dear Family,
How is y'all tonight? Still smiling like in the picture here in front of me? I sure hope so.
As for me, I feel bushed tonight. I went over to the church this afternoon and did some research on membership records. With bus ride both ways, that killed the afternoon and I didn't even get a nap. I felt like I could use one today, too, I had to run off a drunken Australian and a sailor who wanted to fight outside my room last night and that disturbed my rest.
There wasn't much mail today and I didn't get a letter from you but had 2 yesterday with one postmarked Aug. 7 so I can't complain.
I can't think of a thing to write about except my love and concern for you all, so I think I'll just call this a "note" and close for now. Time for bed, see you tomorrow.
All my love,
Daddy
-------------------------------------------
This is the picture dad was referring to. I believe this was made after the celebration of Grandmother and Granddaddy McGhee's 60th wedding anniversary celebration.
Dear Family,
How is y'all tonight? Still smiling like in the picture here in front of me? I sure hope so.
As for me, I feel bushed tonight. I went over to the church this afternoon and did some research on membership records. With bus ride both ways, that killed the afternoon and I didn't even get a nap. I felt like I could use one today, too, I had to run off a drunken Australian and a sailor who wanted to fight outside my room last night and that disturbed my rest.
There wasn't much mail today and I didn't get a letter from you but had 2 yesterday with one postmarked Aug. 7 so I can't complain.
I can't think of a thing to write about except my love and concern for you all, so I think I'll just call this a "note" and close for now. Time for bed, see you tomorrow.
All my love,
Daddy
-------------------------------------------
This is the picture dad was referring to. I believe this was made after the celebration of Grandmother and Granddaddy McGhee's 60th wedding anniversary celebration.
11 August 1970
11 August
Hi, Sweet things,
Got 2 letters, August 5 & 6, from you this morning. That really makes the day a good one. You should get 6 letters a week from me. The mail doesn't go out on Sunday, but the last 2 weeks I have written every day but sent out Saturday and Sunday on Monday morning.
How are your teeth doing now? Do they match or have they turned to candy-stripe. For $29 you should get something extra.
I am working mornings all the time right now. I like it better than afternoon because it leaves a long day free. Today I rode the bus out toward TSN. I had to check 4 B.X's before I found batteries for my radio. It only took 2 1/2 hours of riding for a .20 cent battery. The B.X. is managed by Americans at the high level, but all the store managers, etc. are Vietnamese. They seem to do a good job. One of the main depots for the snack trucks is beside my office (20 ft. away). It is run by a woman. Besides the snack bar, they send out 5 trucks each morning. That's my pastime each morning, watching them get loaded and go out.
I haven't seen any other wood product except for hope chests, tables, jewel boxes, etc. made of teak wood. No small stuff like you hinted for.
Pres. Anderson is a civilian advisor to their big military school (like West Point). He has been here 3-4 years, I think.
We usually have 1 or 2 non-members, either GI or VN at our meetings. And our baptismal font is at the house where we meet. They built it special. They have printed the tract "Joseph Smith Story" in Vietnamese so I got some and try to give away at least 1 each day.
Yesterday I gave one to Mrs. Trang, one of our instructors. She is married to a Saigon policeman and expecting her second child in October. She came into work early and we talked a half hour or more. She was born here in Saigon, and will take a months leave for the baby.
Darling, you keep talking about R&R. Well, I know how much you want to see Hawaii (and maybe me) but as I wrote, it will be in the 10th month before I could get one there as it stands now. That would also be about the time I get my assignment and so much depends on that, that I don't think we should plan for you to come. If it could be earlier, maybe in the 6-8 month maybe that would be different, but you have to go on a waiting list by time in country and that means 10 months now. I talked to a guy at conference who had just returned from Sydney. I could go there after only 4-5 months. He gave me the name and address of a family there who takes in church members on R&R. It would cost less than $100 for 6 days there. All R&R is 6 days, by the way, not 2 weeks. I know you may think I'm selfish & don't love you much not to want you to meet me and then talk about going some place else alone, but I am concerned about that assignment and the possible leave time and big expense connected with it.
Because of the coming cutback in the total Air Force, there is talk of a lot of changes in regs for guys at 20 years or over. Things like a force-out at 20 for some, a 7 day period for retirement or PCS on all assignments included SEA and a bunch of other ideas, which should also be firmed up in the next few months and would affect my getting out, moving the whole family, etc. I hope you can see what I'm talking about and why it's impossible to make any firm plans now.
The only way I can describe the food is "Excellent". I don't know if I've lost any (no scales handy) but I think maybe a pound or 2. I eat 3 meals daily but watch what each time, no bread, potatoes, lots of salad. It costs more to eat 3 meals than 2, but it is easier for me. How about you, do the scales talk right to you??
Did Nancy find her ring? I hope so.
Do you know yet where Jimmy will go to school? From those clippings I doubt if you do or will for awhile.
I don't know for sure the time difference but I think we're about 12 to 13 hours ahead of you. Like now at 6 p.m. Tuesday it is only 5 or 6 a.m. Tuesday there.
I am glad to hear that you are being miserly. Don't fail to buy what is needed but consider it carefully. It would sure be nice to have the bills paid off or down low by the this time next year. By the way, has the statement from Eglin Credit Union come? It should come each 3 months and I'd like to see it.
Well, I'm about out of things to write about so this is a good place to stop for now. Keep a smile up & be sweet & good. See you in my dreams.
Love,
Daddy
Hi, Sweet things,
Got 2 letters, August 5 & 6, from you this morning. That really makes the day a good one. You should get 6 letters a week from me. The mail doesn't go out on Sunday, but the last 2 weeks I have written every day but sent out Saturday and Sunday on Monday morning.
How are your teeth doing now? Do they match or have they turned to candy-stripe. For $29 you should get something extra.
I am working mornings all the time right now. I like it better than afternoon because it leaves a long day free. Today I rode the bus out toward TSN. I had to check 4 B.X's before I found batteries for my radio. It only took 2 1/2 hours of riding for a .20 cent battery. The B.X. is managed by Americans at the high level, but all the store managers, etc. are Vietnamese. They seem to do a good job. One of the main depots for the snack trucks is beside my office (20 ft. away). It is run by a woman. Besides the snack bar, they send out 5 trucks each morning. That's my pastime each morning, watching them get loaded and go out.
I haven't seen any other wood product except for hope chests, tables, jewel boxes, etc. made of teak wood. No small stuff like you hinted for.
Pres. Anderson is a civilian advisor to their big military school (like West Point). He has been here 3-4 years, I think.
We usually have 1 or 2 non-members, either GI or VN at our meetings. And our baptismal font is at the house where we meet. They built it special. They have printed the tract "Joseph Smith Story" in Vietnamese so I got some and try to give away at least 1 each day.
Yesterday I gave one to Mrs. Trang, one of our instructors. She is married to a Saigon policeman and expecting her second child in October. She came into work early and we talked a half hour or more. She was born here in Saigon, and will take a months leave for the baby.
Darling, you keep talking about R&R. Well, I know how much you want to see Hawaii (and maybe me) but as I wrote, it will be in the 10th month before I could get one there as it stands now. That would also be about the time I get my assignment and so much depends on that, that I don't think we should plan for you to come. If it could be earlier, maybe in the 6-8 month maybe that would be different, but you have to go on a waiting list by time in country and that means 10 months now. I talked to a guy at conference who had just returned from Sydney. I could go there after only 4-5 months. He gave me the name and address of a family there who takes in church members on R&R. It would cost less than $100 for 6 days there. All R&R is 6 days, by the way, not 2 weeks. I know you may think I'm selfish & don't love you much not to want you to meet me and then talk about going some place else alone, but I am concerned about that assignment and the possible leave time and big expense connected with it.
Because of the coming cutback in the total Air Force, there is talk of a lot of changes in regs for guys at 20 years or over. Things like a force-out at 20 for some, a 7 day period for retirement or PCS on all assignments included SEA and a bunch of other ideas, which should also be firmed up in the next few months and would affect my getting out, moving the whole family, etc. I hope you can see what I'm talking about and why it's impossible to make any firm plans now.
The only way I can describe the food is "Excellent". I don't know if I've lost any (no scales handy) but I think maybe a pound or 2. I eat 3 meals daily but watch what each time, no bread, potatoes, lots of salad. It costs more to eat 3 meals than 2, but it is easier for me. How about you, do the scales talk right to you??
Did Nancy find her ring? I hope so.
Do you know yet where Jimmy will go to school? From those clippings I doubt if you do or will for awhile.
I don't know for sure the time difference but I think we're about 12 to 13 hours ahead of you. Like now at 6 p.m. Tuesday it is only 5 or 6 a.m. Tuesday there.
I am glad to hear that you are being miserly. Don't fail to buy what is needed but consider it carefully. It would sure be nice to have the bills paid off or down low by the this time next year. By the way, has the statement from Eglin Credit Union come? It should come each 3 months and I'd like to see it.
Well, I'm about out of things to write about so this is a good place to stop for now. Keep a smile up & be sweet & good. See you in my dreams.
Love,
Daddy
10 August 1970
10 August
Dear Family,
Happy me, I got 2 letters today besides the Church News envelope. It is so good to get letters from you, especially when several of you write. It sounds like you all had a ball at the state park. Wish I could have been there too. I'll be waiting to see the pictures.
By now, Youth Conference is over so I'll be looking for a report on that, too.
Susie, work hard at that Sunday School job. I know you can do it, even the percentages.
Sounds like you had quite a storm. Did you also get a storm from the one that left so much rain in Savannah? It is raining here now. Seems like we get a rain every day, sometimes two. Sometimes it just starts raining but often there is a lot of wind before.
I sure hope the brakes on Carol's car hold out now. That can get aggravating besides dangerous. Carol, that is good advice about keeping your speed down. You know I can't help you if you get hurt and I don't need to worry about you either. And use that seat belt. That goes for Mother, too!
I really appreciate the Church News that you sent. I had said you might get me a separate subscription but that's not really necessary. But I do enjoy reading them and will take them to church when I finish.
Your deal with Daddy sounds O.K. just be sure that you pay him back A.S.A.P. I had told you about Master Charge but I guess I should have written it down.
Hey Boy - what got into you to make you ride your bike all over town and then tell a story? I hope you won't try that again soon. You are supposed to help Mom, not give her extra troubles. 22 licks sounds about right for that kind of a stunt, doesn't it? I'd say that is enough to show that she loves you.
Nancy, they show a movie almost every night right here in the hotel. But you know, Old Dad hasn't seen one yet. Last week they had "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Mostly I listen to my radio, read and write letters to you. It is so nice to have time to read just because I want to instead of "Have-to".
Mother, don't worry about that foot spray. Like I wrote a few days ago, I don't have any trouble now. I have been having a rash under my arms but got some calamine lotion and that is helping. I shaved them and I think that's what started it. When you send the camera, put in my blue Church Handbook #20. It's probably in my briefcase. Also, if the branch has gotten their new supplies for the new year, try to get me a priesthood and S.S. lesson manuals.
By the way, Nancy, those peanut butter cookies were great. Either them or snickerdoodles would be OK.
Carol, I wish you would drive Mom's car more often, even when you don't have to. Some time you may need to use it and it would be lots better if you are familiar with it.
Yes, I moved to a different room from what I was in at first. This one has good plumbing, better furniture and of course I put curtains on the window, the ones I made of towels.
I don't expect any money problems this month. Of the $80 I got, I still have $42 left. All my bills are paid so that leaves me about $2 each day. It takes $1.40 a day for meals and .10 cents for my paper. That leaves me a spare dime or 2 for a root beer sometimes. I hope you can do as well. With several parties, that should help. I don't really mind you picking up bottles. Like you said, it was something different to do.
I'll close for now and write a special letter to Mother. You all be sweet and good. I miss you very much.
Love,
Your Old Dad
-------------------------------------------------
Dear Family,
Happy me, I got 2 letters today besides the Church News envelope. It is so good to get letters from you, especially when several of you write. It sounds like you all had a ball at the state park. Wish I could have been there too. I'll be waiting to see the pictures.
By now, Youth Conference is over so I'll be looking for a report on that, too.
Susie, work hard at that Sunday School job. I know you can do it, even the percentages.
Sounds like you had quite a storm. Did you also get a storm from the one that left so much rain in Savannah? It is raining here now. Seems like we get a rain every day, sometimes two. Sometimes it just starts raining but often there is a lot of wind before.
I sure hope the brakes on Carol's car hold out now. That can get aggravating besides dangerous. Carol, that is good advice about keeping your speed down. You know I can't help you if you get hurt and I don't need to worry about you either. And use that seat belt. That goes for Mother, too!
I really appreciate the Church News that you sent. I had said you might get me a separate subscription but that's not really necessary. But I do enjoy reading them and will take them to church when I finish.
Your deal with Daddy sounds O.K. just be sure that you pay him back A.S.A.P. I had told you about Master Charge but I guess I should have written it down.
Hey Boy - what got into you to make you ride your bike all over town and then tell a story? I hope you won't try that again soon. You are supposed to help Mom, not give her extra troubles. 22 licks sounds about right for that kind of a stunt, doesn't it? I'd say that is enough to show that she loves you.
Nancy, they show a movie almost every night right here in the hotel. But you know, Old Dad hasn't seen one yet. Last week they had "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Mostly I listen to my radio, read and write letters to you. It is so nice to have time to read just because I want to instead of "Have-to".
Mother, don't worry about that foot spray. Like I wrote a few days ago, I don't have any trouble now. I have been having a rash under my arms but got some calamine lotion and that is helping. I shaved them and I think that's what started it. When you send the camera, put in my blue Church Handbook #20. It's probably in my briefcase. Also, if the branch has gotten their new supplies for the new year, try to get me a priesthood and S.S. lesson manuals.
By the way, Nancy, those peanut butter cookies were great. Either them or snickerdoodles would be OK.
Carol, I wish you would drive Mom's car more often, even when you don't have to. Some time you may need to use it and it would be lots better if you are familiar with it.
Yes, I moved to a different room from what I was in at first. This one has good plumbing, better furniture and of course I put curtains on the window, the ones I made of towels.
I don't expect any money problems this month. Of the $80 I got, I still have $42 left. All my bills are paid so that leaves me about $2 each day. It takes $1.40 a day for meals and .10 cents for my paper. That leaves me a spare dime or 2 for a root beer sometimes. I hope you can do as well. With several parties, that should help. I don't really mind you picking up bottles. Like you said, it was something different to do.
I'll close for now and write a special letter to Mother. You all be sweet and good. I miss you very much.
Love,
Your Old Dad
-------------------------------------------------
 |
| This is a picture taken the day Mom took us to Reed Bingham State Park for the afternoon. Nancy is sitting in the front and then that's me and Clayton behind her. |
7 August / 8 August 1970
Dear Family,
I'll drop you a little note this afternoon so you will know I'm still here. I missed mail call this morning as I was at TSN. I am clearing up affairs for an instructor that broke his leg on a motorcycle and was sent to Maxwell about a month ago. Today I shipped all his personal belongings to him. I am working? all day today so that I can be off tomorrow for conference.
We had a heavy rain last night just at dark, lots of wind and thunder and lightning.
The dishwashing machine has been broke for 2 days at the chow hall so we have had to use paper plates & cups. Speaking of eating, today we were out at TSN at lunch time so decided to try this Mexican food joint. They sure make good tacos. I may try some more tomorrow as conference is at the chapel across the street from this place. I was thinking of you guys all the time I was eating. I said "if Hazel knew about this place, she would come all the way over for some of their food".
Well, I just checked the afternoon mail and got your letter saying that your check had come, so I am much relieved. I know money will be tight, especially with the bills behind and extra costs this month, but it should be some better. Don't wait to the last minute to borrow what you need. I'll close for now & get this in the mail.
Love, Daddy
P.S. I may not get to mail a letter tomorrow with conference so don't be looking too hard for one.
Saturday 8 August
Hi all you Happy People
Now that I have returned from Conference, got some supper and had a shower, I can sit down and write some. I won't have a chance to mail this until Monday, probably so I'll put down what comes to mind now.
The conference was real great. There were nearly 300 guys there from 22 groups. For the morning session, there were only 2 females present, an Army nurse captain and one of our girls from Saigon who works at TSN. Her name is Sophie, or that's the best you can make of it in English. When she saw all those guys, I think she was scared to death. Then she spotted another guy that she recognized and came running to sit near us. Don't worry, she is ugly as homemade sin as they say. But she has a great personality, the kind of personality you can't help to like. That's the way with all the girls in our branch. And I do mean girls, they remind me so much of Susan with their sometimes boisterous play and fooling around. For the afternoon session, we had 9 girls there and I sang in the branch choir. President Anderson wanted everybody in the branch to sing. We sang "I Am A Child Of God" and "I Am A Mormon Boy". President Smith, the mission president said that our Primary teachers would have been proud of us. It was kind of fun, especially with the girls singing the last song.
Bro. Norris was called as 2nd Counselor in the District Presidency. our mission president G. Carlos Smith was General Supt. of YMMIA before coming out here.
Do you recall the Fages at Eglin? They were the couple with 4 boys that stayed with us one night. He volunteered to come over here as a gunner and everybody tried to talk him out of it. He was killed in April when his plane crashed. The church people said they never heard from him. You may remember he wasn't very active there in Ft. Walton Branch.
The only Vietnamese Elder spoke today. He is going to the "Y" and also got his temple recommend today. I doubt there was a dry eye in the lot when he finished. Some of the guys rode 100 miles in a big G.I. truck to get there. Others came by helicopter. I know some of them must have been in the woods and swamps for 3 months. We had the Sacrament as part of the session.
At our conference in October, Bruce R. McConkie will be here.
Well, I'll close for now and finish tomorrow.
Sunday afternoon
Well, the Vietnamese part of the conference was really great. The VN Elder Nguyen Cao Minh spoke for about 30 minutes, about 20 min. in Vietnamese. The Vietnamese sister Truong Ha Xu (Sophie) also spoke. A Brother Harding from the Church Building Committee has been in the area for several days looking at property, etc. I guess they are ready to go on building A mission home in Bangkok, Thailand. They want to buy property here but can't find the right place yet. He says the Church owns about 25 buildings in the Far East now including Japan.
Before the meeting this morning, I spent 2 hours with the B.P. going over the membership roster. Of 100 names in the book, 65 are VN. We don't have a lot of G.I.'s listed. Many of the VN we can't identify. The first name you write down is their last name, but the clerks in the mission home have changed them around and here a name may be first, last or middle so it is a terrible mess so I have the task of straightening things up.
I may have told you that the Branch meets in the home of one of the members. Well I found out today that this man's family went back to Utah about 3 months ago, that he is batching it there in the house and the church now pays part of the rent. I got a key to the place today and will probably spend considerable time there until I get things better organized. At least this chore should keep me out of the bars and pool room.
There is a real sense of urgency of the need to build up the VN people and get the branch here in Saigon on a solid footing before most of the G.I.'s leave. The military membership of the branch is only about half of what it was 6 months ago and as the withdrawal continues more and more of our men will be living on base instead of hotels in town so, within a year all the Americans could be gone. This would be a disaster as things are now. I would hope it won't be long before missionaries are sent in here, but right now I doubt if the Church would feel safe about it.
Darling, you asked about our milk and ice cream. It is reconstituted, like in Japan. We have ice cream 2 meals every day.
It hardly seems like time for school to start, almost. But then, times seems to fly for me here. (It could go lots faster too). Tuesday will be a whole month since I left you all. If the next 11 will go as fast, it won't be unbearably long.
Well, I hope this little card cheers you up some. A gift will have to wait for later, I'm afraid. Wish I could be there to give you a gift, in person, even a candy coated M&M but can't right now. Hope I have 2 or 3 letters from you tomorrow.
All of you stay sweet and good. I love you all and miss you much.
Bye for now, Love Daddy
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Notes:
The fall of Saigon did eventually come some 4 1/2 year later after Dad had left. He was always concerned and wondered what ever happened to those VN members.
The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon the capital of South Vietnam by the Viet Cong on April 30, 1975. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War. North Vietnamese forces began their final attack on Saigon on April 29. This bombardment at the TSN airport killed the last two American servicemen to die in Vietnam. By the afternoon of the next day, North Vietnamese troops had occupied the important points of the city and raised their flag over the South Vietnamese presidential palace. The city was renamed Hồ Chà Minh City.
The fall of the city was preceded by the evacuation of almost all the American civilian and military personnel in Saigon, along with tens of thousands of South Vietnamese civilians associated with the southern regime. The evacuation culminated in Operation Frequent Wind, the largest helicopter evacuation in history.
Order was slowly restored, although the by-then-deserted U.S. embassy was looted, along with many other businesses. Communications between the outside world and Saigon were cut.
One objective of the communist government was to reduce the population of Saigon, which had become swollen with an influx of people during the war and was now overcrowded with high unemployment. "Re-education classes" for former soldiers in the South Vietnamese armed forces indicated that in order to regain full standing in society they would need to move from the city and take up farming. Handouts of rice to the poor, while forthcoming, were tied to pledges to leave Saigon for the countryside. According to the Vietnamese government, within two years of the capture of the city one million people had left Saigon, and the state had a target of 500,000 further departures.
About The Letters...
...My dad, MSgt. James Edward Cattell United States Air Force, left for Vietnam on July 11 of 1970 and returned home July 4, 1971. During the year that he was gone, he wrote home to our family every day. My mother, Hazel, saved those letters and now our family has a history of that time and some of the happenings in our daily lives.
My mom numbered every letter that was received and I have attempted to have record those letters in chronological order. I have also added notes from time to time to explain some of the items listed in the letter and added pictures or additional documents, when possible. The letters were stored in an old ammo box and basically vacuum sealed. The first letters remained "lost" for many, many years until Dad discovered them in an old file box in June 2011.
I record and save these letters and other documentation so that each one of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will all have access to this material.
During this time, I had just graduated from high school and turning 18 years old in a few days, Susan was 16 years old, Nancy was going to be 15 and Jimmy was 11 years old.
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Now for the letters...This was Dad's first letter sent home on his way to Vietnam. He actually left for Vietnam on July 11 although he left our home in Valdosta on July 4th. He spent time with his family in Missouri and then caught a bus to go visit family in Kansas City before traveling to Travis AFB.
July 16 (I hope) (This is what Dad actually wrote)
I'll try to write some now before they bring lunch. I am still on the plane and we just left Yokota. Had a great view of Fuji as we came by it. July 15 was pretty short. We left Travis finally about 2 a.m. this morning and flew 4 hours to Anchorage, Alaska, getting there at 3 a.m. Of course, that far north it is day almost all the time right now. We stayed an hour and then flew 7 hours to Yokota, crossed the date line and landed at 6 a.m. Thursday. We stayed there about 2 hours and it's now 8:30 a.m. Thursday, I think. We are due in Saigon about 1 p.m.
Like I told you, I had a good short visit with Joyce, Lynn and the kids. We were delayed 5 hours at Salina, Kansas when we had an engine fire and TWA had to find us another plane. When we got to San Francisco there were 8 of us going to Travis so we got a limousine at $5 each We got there at 6:30 p.m. and my deadline was 9 p.m. so I still had a little time to spare.
We are flying on a World Airliner 707. They had 5 of the homeliest stewardesses I have ever seen, but we got rid of them at Yokota and have some real cute ones now.
It was sure good to talk to all of you even if my hay fever did act up a little bit. I must be getting soft in my old age. Or could it be that I miss you?
I have an idea my orders may have been goofed up as I was supposed to report in on the 15th and it's already the 16th. But I'll find out in a few more hours. It will feel good to get a shower and clean up. I shaved at Travis and again at Yokota, but it would feel good to wash my feet.
We had fried chicken for lunch. It was pretty good, but I have tasted better.
_____________________________________
Note: Dad left for Vietnam on July 14 and gave us one last phone call that evening. Travis is Travis AFB in California. That is the base we flew out of when we all flew to Japan. Yokota is the Air Force Base we moved to in Japan. Joyce and Lynn are Dad's sisters. Oh, Dad's hay fever is his way of saying he was emotional and most likely shedding a few tears.
TWA used to be one of America's largest airlines, but is no longer in service as it merged with American Airlines in 2001.
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I'll try to finish this up and send it even though I don't have an address yet. We got here about 12:30. After a short briefing, they turned us loose until tomorrow. I'll have a good address by then, I hope, and know where I'm going.
I just got back from the BX, had to get some underwear, I'm in an open barracks with 30 other guys temporarily, no air condition, but they do have fans and it's about 90 now.
I better quit and get this in the mail. I love you. Remember me in your prayers.
Love, Dad
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Hi all you happy people, this is Old Dad again to tell you all the latest news.
I had my first day of processing today and got my assignment. I am going to the Armed Forces Language School in downtown Saigon. Don't ask what I'll be doing but the purpose of the school is to teach English to Vietnamese before they go to the U.S. for schools. I'll probably report down there about Sunday or Monday as there is more processing to do tomorrow.
All day today was spent in briefings and processing. MACV is the HQ for all U.S. units here in Vietnam. Most of the men are Army. It will probably be that when I get down to AFLS. I think that I'll be living in a hotel downtown. Don't write yet until I get a good address.
In a briefing today they said that it has been over 2 months since the last rocket attack around here. It looks to me like the biggest hazard is traffic. It is like Japan or maybe worse.
Sure hope I sleep better tonight then I did last night. I was beat after the trip so I dozed off about 4:30 yesterday afternoon and woke up at 2:30 this morning, then couldn't go back to sleep. It's after 7 now so I'll get this sent, take a bath and then hit the sack.
Remember that I love you all. I'll try to write again tomorrow.
Love & Kisses, Dad
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AFLS means Armed Forces Language School
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Saturday, 18 July
Dear Ones,
I'll write some tonight although I don't have a lot of news to tell.
We finished all processing today so I'm ready to go to work. The only problem is that I don't have a job or a place to stay.
I talked to my First Sergeant this afternoon but he is new on the job so he wanted to wait until Monday to see the old one. They have a surplus of NCO's and all that they have to do is supervise the airmen and civilians who do the teaching. Everybody works a 5 hour day . I told them I'd be glad to go home.
All the hotels downtown are filled so I'm staying in the transient barracks for now. Maybe I'll get to move Monday.
I'm pretty sleepy so I'll try to write more tomorrow. You can start writing to the address on the envelope.
Love and Kisses xxxxxx
Dad oooooo
Sunday, 19 July
Dear Loved Ones,
Just time to dash off a letter to you before supper time.
It's been a busy day so far. I heard that the Church had a branch over at Tan Son Nhut meeting at noon so I took off walking. They said it was only a mile or so but it's closer to 5. I caught a ride the last couple of miles. When I got there, I found out that another group meets here about a block from my bed. But, since I was there I stayed for priesthood meeting and then Sacrament right after. I plan to go to Sacrament Meeting here tonight at 7:30.
The food here has been fair so far. It's an Army mess hall. Practically everything here is Army. I feel like a stranger.
It has been about 90 degrees most of the time and cools down to 70-75 degrees at night. The barracks are not AC but do have big fans that keep it pretty comfortable. The first day it rained all day and a little since but it's dry now.
Have you got any of those peppers yet from your Dad? You had better keep them picked pretty close. He planted them for us, you know.
I sure wish I had some of those ripe figs. They would taste real good and since it's now supper time and I missed lunch, I'll close for now. Always remember that I love you all.
Old Dad, Jim
July 20
Dear Mother, Girls and Rover,
Well I have finally arrived in Vietnam. I mean, you can really tell it for sure. About 8:30 this morning, the First Sergeant picked me up out at the base and brought me down to where I'll be working. It is 8-10 miles and if you thought Tokyo traffic was bad, you wouldn't believe this. I don't believe it and I can stand in my room here at the St. George Hotel and see it.
As far as my job is concerned, I almost don't have one. I am assistant instruction supervisor for about 20 language instructors including an American woman, a Japanese woman, a Vietnamese woman and the rest A.F. and Navy enlisted. My boss is an Army Captain, who seems pretty decent. I will work 5 hours each day, 6 days a week alternating between morning and afternoon shifts. About all I have to do is take roll of the instructors and keep them out of trouble.
My complete address:
HQ MACV TNG Div (AFLS) KC
ADV Team #62
APO SF 96243
This should be good from now on unless I get moved to another branch of the school. It has 3 different parts around Saigon. Some of the guys say they get mail in 3 days from the East Coast. Of course I haven't gotten any from you yet but I'll be looking soon.
I went to Sacrament Meeting last night at the ACV Annex Chapel. There are about 18-20 regulars there as opposed to 25-30 at Tab Son Nhut. I will be in the Saigon branch here, a mixed VN/American group. The mission president from Hong Kong was here yesterday looking for a place to buy. They have district conference on August 8 at TSN. Tell all the folks at church "Hi" for me.
My room is not air-conditioned but does have one of those old slow-turning fans hanging from the ceiling so it's pretty comfortable.
Well, I can't think of any more to write for now so I'll close and hunt a mailbox. Growl at the tom cat for me.
All my love, Dad.
St. George Hotel
 |
| View from the St. George Hotel |
Notes:
Dad called Jimmy "Rover" because Jimmy was in a stage of life where he thought he was a dog and would jump around on all fours and bark like a dog.
Dad was responsible for the living conditions for all the instructors while he was attached to the language school downtown and there was puddles of water from the rain all the time in their rooms.
Cholon was a suburb of Saigon.
21 July
Dear Ones,
Well I have done pretty good I think. I have written every day for a week now. And that must be some sort of a record. I don't know how long it can last.
I hope you are all well and feel good. Has it stayed real hot there? It stays about 90 most of the time here and not much rain although we had a little shower this morning.
This clipping from the Stars and Stripes will bring you up to date on the local war news. This area is 3-4 miles from here. There are many reminders of war all around. Things like barbed wire, blockades on the streets, oil drums filled with sand, stacks of sandbags and guards all over. It is really pretty quiet around now but everybody stays alert because the VC can still do most anything when they want to. I still have my M-16 rifle but also got a 38 pistol today to carry when I'm traveling on the bus or riding guard with someone in a jeep. The pistol is more convenient.
The maids are ironing all my uniforms today so I should have clothes for a while. They charge 50 cents a uniform to wash and iron. Things are really pretty expensive here. (meant to be a joke).
The water went off last night just before I got a shower. All our drinking water is hauled in by truck. The stuff that comes out of the pipes isn't fit to drink.
I suppose I had better close for now. I can't think of much to say except of course, I love you all and miss you very much. Be sweet.
Love, Dad
P.S. I don't mail these until 7:30 the morning after I write, so let me know how long it takes.
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Notes: Stars and Stripes was/is a newspaper printed continuously since World War II. It exists to provide independent news and information to the U.S. military community.
23 July
Dear family,
I'll try to get my letter writing done early today. I think I'll go exploring a bit this afternoon when I get off work. There are 5 military bus routes around Saigon so I plan to get on and ride all the way around on each one over the next few days. I don't feel quite so lost now even in getting from the hotel to school.
Speaking of the hotel, I guess I'll have to get some boards to go in my bed. Its the old steel G.I. cot and sags a lot. I can tell that it will soon bother my back. My roommates have all moved out and I have been alone the past 2 nights. By moving my bed right under the fan I have been comfortable.
When you get a chance (no hurry) you can send me a care package. I need my foot spray also you can send the big camera. People will never believe some of the things I have seen, Those are the only things I need right now.
Because of all the clothes they issued me, I have more than I'll ever need so I may mail some home when I get a little money. I sure won't need my blues. One 1505 and 1 fatigues would have been plenty, because they issued me 5 complete uniforms including underwear. I can't wear garments, everything has to be O.D. color. I can only wear civilian clothes in the hotel. By the way, this hotel is really something. It's the kind you can get for $2 a night in the States. No rugs, no curtains, just beds, a dresser and a desk.
Well, the mail man will be leaving in a few minutes so I'd better close. Don't hurry on the package, 2 or 3 weeks will be fine. Give everybody a big hug for me and pat Rover on the head.
Love to y'all, Dad
P.S. I wrote Mom and your folks yesterday.
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Notes: This is what a 1505 uniform looked like. O.D. means Olive Drab.
24 July
Dear family,
Happy Pioneer Day. I am writing this at work. I came in on the first bus at 6:30 a.m. to unlock so that gives me a few minutes before all the crowd arrives. Then, I get off at noon. I sure am catching up on a lot of sleep.
I rode one of the buses thru downtown yesterday afternoon. It sure is a lot different then where I live. They don't allow big trucks there and it's a lot cleaner. Today I hope to explore more.
I still have not got a letter from you guys, but expect to soon. It will be good to hear from you. Jimmy are you keeping the grass cut and the yard all clean? I hope so. How is sewing and other plans for Youth Conference coming?
We haven't had any rain now since Tuesday. This monsoon season is not so bad.
I miss you all. Pray for me and be sweet.
Love, Dad
July 24 7 p.m.
Dear Family
Well I have already written once today but it went out this morning and this won't go out until tomorrow.
It has been miserably hot today. I rode the bus out to Tan Son Nhut (TSN) this afternoon to check into my travel pay. They said a check had been mailed so I should have it in a few days. They are building a new road out that way by 3rd Field Hospital and the dust was in clouds. Four Army Lt. nurses got on the bus out there. With them wearing fatigues and combat boots and all sweaty and dusty I couldn't help wonder if this was the glamour they looked for when they were commissioned.
It started to rain about an hour ago so maybe it will be a little cooler tonight. I managed to steal borrow? a piece of plywood for my bed today so it should sleep better.
I talked with the District President today, a Major Folkman at TSN, and found out that the Saigon branch meets a 20 minute walk and 2 bus rides from here. They have Priesthood, Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting one after another at the home of an American civilian member so I'll try to go there Sunday.
I have found that you can take a G.I. bus to almost any place. All you need is time and patience.
The water here in the hotel has been off for several hours but I think it is back on now so I'll close and get a shower. Write soon and tell me all the troubles you must have had by now. Love ya.
Love, Old Dad
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Notes: Dad said he always thought about how these new young nurses felt about being in a frontline hospital in a war zone and might never see something like this again with guys who have had their arms and legs blown off.
Sunday 26 July
Dear Family,
Here I sit, in my shorts and socks, under the fan trying to cool off. It's 2 p.m. and I have just gotten back from church. I attended the Saigon branch today, were I am supposed to. It is a 45 minute bus ride from here. They meet in the home of the 2nd counselor. Priesthood is 9:30, S.S. 10:30 and Sacrament at 11:30. It was really a Dukes mixture of people, about 20 G.I.'s of all kinds (A.F., Navy, Army) 12-15 Vietnamese and Chinese and a German couple who lives here in Saigon. There were 7 or 8 college age Vietnamese who are members. The B.P. told me they have 17 Aaronic Priesthood among the local people, so altogether there are about 75 VN members. All the ones that were there today spoke good English.
I couldn't help but think of you guys all morning and wondering if you were O.K. I'm glad for the Church here. There are about a dozen young single guys here. Maybe I can find a guy for you, Nancy. Some of them are pretty cool.
I had a roommate last night but he is gone today. He was an Army E-8 going home to retire. Other than him, I have been all alone all week.
Well, a shower has blown up so it is raining now. Maybe it will cool off some.
If you think of it, stick in that order blank for Articles of Faith cards next time you write. And you might put in some of my old cards too if there are any around. I find lots of uses for them. That blank was on the mantel in the den last time I saw it.
I am really disappointed that I haven't met a soul here that I know in the past. I must be slipping.
I never did tell you how much Dave and Erma enjoyed their visit. She especially liked it. It guess it was the first real vacation they had ever taken. And she sure did brag about your cooking (and your Mother). I never knew your macaroni salad was that great. Dave tried to fix eggplant like your Mothers.
I hope you feel better about their visit. That trip to Missouri convinced me even more that I don't want any recap tires. They just doesn't stand the hot weather and high speed. I never did check Carol out on tire changing. You should plan to get a new tire for her car about 1 Sept. and get all 4 balanced then.
I am really disappoint in the BX's here. They just don't have tape recorders, stereos, etc. They have to be ordered from Japan. And most things like that are more expensive in town than they would be in Valdosta. Inflation is terrible here. Maybe I'll save some Confederate money. There isn't much to spend it on except food.
Well, I'll stop rambling and close for now. I'd love to be with you all and maybe make a churn of banana ice cream but that will have to wait. Until then, I love you all.
Love, Dad
P.S. Here's a school patch for Jimmy.
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Notes: Dad often wondered about those members when the Viet Cong entered Saigon and took over the government.
Dave and Erma are referring to Dad's brother, Dave and his wife Erma.
Monday July 27
Dear family,
Well today started out really good. When I got to the office I found 2 pieces of good news, a letter from my wife and a check for the rest of my travel pay ($8.70).
The letter was the first one you wrote, on July 13 and of course it had the address on my orders which is so far wrong I'm surprised that I got it at all. I expect to start getting your letters pretty regularly now and hope you are getting mine.
Well, by now plans for Youth Conference should be pretty well firmed up. What arrangements did they make for transportation? I was glad to hear that Carl Henderson was called as Scoutmaster. I think he can do the job if he will. I saw a troop of Boy Scouts downtown yesterday.
Have you talked to Bro. Barlow recently? I hope you have got most of the arrangements made by now. Of course it's still 3 weeks away but that goes fast. As far as Jimmy being ordained by Bro. Barlow, I sure don't want to press the idea, I just felt that he would want to be ordained but if he feels strongly about it, it can wait until I return. I'm not trying to pass of the privilege, just trying to let him go if he wants to.
Did you get your wig straightened out? I hope so. And speaking of cats, how are ours doing? I bet the kittens are a lot of fun by now. I can't help but laugh every time I think of Tom out in the big, bad world being chased by every Tom, Dick and Mary who comes along. Some are just not born to be heros.
My cough cleared up about the time I left Mom's. I think the flying helped. I feel real good except the back bothers some. Not used to the bed, I guess.
Well, I'll close for now. Take care of yourselves. Write often.
Love, Daddy
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Notes: Dad did in fact not wind up ordaining Jimmy to the priesthood. At this writing, we do not know who did.
Zachary was the mama cat and Amole was the daddy.
Tuesday 28 July
Dear family
Happy anniversary, darling. And a happy birthday to that big kid around there too. I hope you both had a good day. As for me, I have had a small headache most of the day.
I got a second letter from you today. It was the one you wrote last Friday, the 24th. You mention that you have written several others and that they have lots of news. I can't wait to get them.
I am still here in the St. George hotel and will be for another month or 2. It is strictly enlisted G.I's here, mostly Army and Navy with some Koreans and Australians - no civilians. I wouldn't mind staying here if I had a good roommate. It's close to chow, the BX, etc. and only 2 flights of stairs, 47 steps to climb. Some of the guys are 6 or 8 floors up and no elevators.
I opened my package today. Thanks for the cookies, how did you know I like peanut butter? I gave one to each of the two maids that work on this floor and they really liked them. They are a couple of characters. One is 48 and the other is 30. They do lots of small favors for me like shine my shoes and put my clothes in the drawer after washing them. In return I pick up soap and starch for them at the BX. I believe I could leave my room open and everything out and they would never let anything happen to it. If these people like and trust you there is nothing they wouldn't do for you. Yesterday they had just finished lunch when I came in from work and they gave me a boiled banana. It wasn't bad at all. I haven't eaten much of the local food but it looks good. The VN have a snack bar just outside my office door for their students, their pastry is different but good.
I guess my present job will last at least until the first of the year. They are putting up a new building near TSN to be ready about then and may combine the 3 schools at that time. There is a chance they may move the AF out of the Koelper (where I am now) and turn it over to the Army before then. They run most every part of it anyway.
I'll close for now. Remember I love you all. Be sweet.
Love, Dad
xxxxx
ooooo (and he drew a peace sign)
Wednesday 29 July
Dear family,
I guess this will be a short letter because I can't think of much to say. I didn't get any mail today so there's none to answer.
I got a haircut this afternoon. It was 40 cents at the BX.
It is pretty cool tonight, maybe 80 degrees so it should be good sleeping. I complained to the maid about my small pillow so she got me 2 small ones.
I sure do miss you all. There's not even anybody to argue with around here.
You should have gotten your check by the time you get this letter. If you haven't gotten it by the 4 or 5th of August, go to Personnel at the base and give them *@!#!*@.
Guess I'll eat a peanut butter cookie and go to bed. God bless you all and pray for me.
Love, Dad
30 July
Dear family,
Still no letter from you today but I'll still write even if you don't.
It's a little after 8 p.m. and I have just finished moving. I came from the third floor to second and got a 2 man room instead of 3. I understand my room mate has a permanent shack but was ordered to keep a room in the hotel so I should be all alone most of the time. Besides being one less flight of stairs to climb, this is a lot nicer room. The paint is good, the bathroom (private) is nice and good furniture. Besides beds and 2 wall lockers each, I have a chest (5 drawer), desk, 2 chairs, one a padded relaxer and a nightstand.
Darling, will you see if you can get your tape recorder fixed. I found out that I can order one that uses the casettes for about $35. There is no point in buying 2 if that one can be fixed. I won't be able to order one this month and it takes 3 weeks for delivery so it will be nearly Oct 1 before I can get one.
Tomorrow is payday. I don't know if I will get any or how much. I should have about $80 coming and I have $15 left so if I don't get it tomorrow I will have to go hunting or hungry one or the other.
I'm really looking foward to getting all those letters that you have sent. I still don't know what all that "news" is that you mentioned in your letter of July 24.
Well I'd better close for now. Lots of straightening out after the move. Here's a whole load of hugs and kisses. Spread them around. I love you.
Love, Dad
Friday July 31
Hi Gang,
I got your letters today that you wrote last Sunday. It sure was great to hear from ll of you (except Jimmy. What the matter, boy, break your arm)?
I gather from your letter that Carol must have hurt her toe. The letters telling about that haven't arrived yet. One reason may, be sure you put "KC" after AFLS on my address.
How do you rate going to Jubliee? Was your club party that good? That must be in the other letters too. Anyway, if you feel strong and up to it, I don't mind. Just don't overdo.
Well, today was payday and I didn't get paid. Of course only about 10 of 75 guys got their checks so I'm not worried. I'll wait until Monday to holler.
Congratulations on your new calling at church, Susie. It's important that you pay attention to details. I know that you can do a god job. This is the sort of thing that merits a trip to BYU or some other sort of special blessing later on. Don't stand in your big? sisters shadow. Make your own.
Where did you get the word "bottle-picking-uping" from Susie? And how come you started that? Did things get that tight around home? I bet you are a living doll with your crew cut. Faith, Hope and Charity to you.
No Carol, I haven't gotten your "other letters" but I'm sure they will come in so don't write again. I'm glad your toe is better. Did you step on it? You wrote about your trip to Moody, but didn't say how school is coming along. Your little statue is sitting here on the desk pointing at me right now. All the maids have to comment about you and my big family picture.
Now, Jimmy, what's happening to you? Have you worn out your bicycle yet? You had better be swimming and going to the Boys Club regularly. And howare your friends Mr. Mitchell nd Miss Dorothy? Tell them I said "Hi". I hope you are keeping the neighborhood lawns looking nice, including ours.
I really enjoy my new room. Although it is not air-conditioned, it is fairly cool. My desk is in front of a window that overlooks the hotel parking lot and a real busy street. I just counted 66 cars, motorcycles, etc., pass by in a minute and the traffic is light now. I also can see down into the yard of a home next to the hotel. It is fenced in by a high tin fence but I can see over that and see banana and palm trees, bamboo and a little pool. There are bananas almost ripe on the tree.
Another rain is coming up. It rained real hard about noon just as I was getting off work.
I'll close for now and send you los of love. Thanks so very much for all the letters. They mke my whole day.
Love & Kisses, Daddy
P.S. If you haven't sent the camera, when you do put in a small pair of pliers and a small common screwdriver. OK.
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Notes: I had been to a young men/young women activity. While playing "Fruit Basket Turnover", someone stepped on my foot and ripped the toenail almost off my big toe. It was standing straight up and I was in a great deal of pain as raw nerves were exposed.
Jubilee referred to a Tupperware convention/celebration which takes place every summer at the corporate headquarters in Orlando to recognize and reward top-selling individuals such as Mom.
No recollection of the new calling Susan apparently received.
The "bottle-picking-uping" began when Mom and we kids would drive over to Brookfield to visit with Grandmother and Granddaddy McGhee. We always stayed off the interstate and took the back road through Nashville. Once leaving Valdosta, and until we got to Nashville, Mom would drive on the side of the road and we kids would get out and collect discarded bottles along the way and put them in the back of the car. Once we got to Nashville, we would "cash" in the bottles and then visit to Dairy Queen and get us some ice cream. We did this the entire year Dad was gone.
The statue referred to given by me was a "World's Greatest Dad" as a birthday present.
Saturday, August 1
Dear family,
Today I got your letters you sent on 23 July. Now, I have a good idea of what you have been talking about in the last couple of letters. There must still be 2 or 3 that haven't arrived. I do hope you are getting mine. I think I've written every day so far except they may have been set out 2 the same day sometimes.
Carol, honestly I think we should have named you Grace. If you wanted to see those guys in the emergency room that bad, I bet Mom would have taken you by without going to all that trouble. I thought you had Clayton on the string, is it that bad?
That neighborhood has never seen the likes of the Cattells. Imagine a fire truck to get a stupid cross-eyed cat off the roof. I would have left him there. If he got hungry enough, he would have come down the very same way he got up. Have you got the bill yet from the Fire Department?
I assume you must have had a $1000 week. That letter hasn't come in yet. That's really good. But like I've told you before, don't over do. I'll bet Kathleen was glad to see you back in the swing.
I wrote you about the rockets a couple of weeks ago but I suppose you have heard of the bomb at the Ky Son Hotel last night. It's about 1 1/2 miles from my hotel. They blew up the generator but no one was seriously hurt. Several of our guys, including the 1st Sgt. live there. The gas tank for the generator caught fire with the flames 3 or 4 stories high fairly close to the building. Of course all the hotels are fireproof concrete so there was no real danger. The VC does something like this every few weeks, mostly to impress the civilians that they are really strong, but they are not. I really feel quite secure and go any place I want to without fear of danger. Don't believe all those wild stories in the papers.
Well, tomorrow is Church day. I'm glad I have to work 6 days because it makes the time go fast but I'm also glad for Sunday to come. Next week is conference. Maybe I'll see somebody I know there.
I'll close for now. Be good and sweet. I love you all.
Love, Dad
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Notes:
Re: the ER. Refer to an earlier notation about the my toe accident which occurred on July 21 at M.I.A.
According to a diary entry I wrote on July 20: "Amole (our male cat) had been missing all day and we thought that somebody had probably stole him. But tonight, when Mom and I were outside, we heard some meowing. There was Amole on top of the Harper's roof. We girls couldn't get him down so Mom went and called the fire department and they got him down."
Re: The $1000 week - Mom was a Tupperware manager and did parties.
Re: The bombing at the Ky Son Hotel:
Blast, Fire Rip Ky Son BEQ in SaigonBy: SPEC 5 CHARLES C. SELF
S&S Staff Correspondent
SAIGON – A 45-pound explosive ripped open a fuel tank outside the Ky Son enlisted men’s quarters in
downtown Saigon Friday night setting off a fire that swept through the bottom floor and caused the evacuation of the building.
S&S Vietnam Bureau
Clayton was my boyfriend at the time. We dated for a couple of years before he left on his mission to Fiji.
Sunday August 2
Hi Y'all
Hope you are all feeling real great. Might as well, you know.
Last night I went down to the BX and bought 4 towels to put up for a curtain at my window. They keep the lights on in the parking lot all night and so maybe curtains will keep out some light and I can sleep better.
While at the BX, I saw some wood carvings like my "girlfriend" for $4.15. I say like mine, but really they were only the same pattern. These were about 4 inches shorter and looked like they had been hacked out by drunken bums, not at all smooth and graceful like mine.
Today at church, I was called to be Executive Secretary of the branch. Pres. Anderson wants me to work mostly in training the Vietnamese to take positions in the church. We must have had over 40 for S.S. and Testimony Meeting. About 15 were local people. 2 Navy men were baptised this afternoon. It sure brought back memories of Tokyo.
After church I rode the bus out to TSN and guess who got on the bus? Lyle Norris had just gotten in last Thursday and was on his way to work. We rode together for 10-15 minutes and had a great visit. Jean and the kids are in Las Vegas. He only spent a couple of days so didn't see the Christensen's. He did visit some with the Moores at conference in D.C. the last of June. We talked like it had been 2 weeks since we had last seen each other. He is still the same great guy as ever. He kept saying "Wait till I tell Jean who I met on the bus today".
Monday A.M.
I'll finish this up and get both sent off. I got a headache last night so went to bed about 6 p.m. I feel OK this morning.
Say "Hi" to everyone for me Remember me in your prayers. I love you all.
Love, Dad
-------------------------------
Notes:
My "girlfriend" refers to a carving brought from the Philipines by Roy McClellan. The carving was of a Madonna and Child. Dad had seen a similar one and asked Brother McClellan to bring one back on one of his AF flights to the Philipines.
The Norris' were in our small little branch in Yokota AFB, Japan.
August 3
Dear family,
Hey, guess what? I got 4 letters from you guys today and 1 from Sgt. Wood. Yours are for the 27, 28, 29 & 30 so that about catches up except for some back before the 20th of July. Of course they had the Det 11 address and they may have been on that plane that ditched just off Okinawa. They said in the paper that most of the mail had been recovered and would be delivered when it dried out. I think the mail will be OK now. It just take time to get addresses, etc.
I'm sure sorry about Dad's calves. I was kinda worried though when he got them in hot weather. They just can't take it.
Just hang on to my driver's license. I sure don't need it here. I have a military one but before you can drive you have to test on the international signs. I don't plan to test. But you know, with all the traffic and a lot of rain I have yet to see the first accident. You asked about the traffic, well there is people walking, in the street, across the street, anywhere. Then there are bicycles and motorcycles. I bet the Honda man here is a billionaire. Then the rickshaw things called pedi-cabs (they are pedalled by a man) and then the same thing only with a scooter pushing the cab. Then come mini-buses, these are 3 wheeled, kinda like a pickup but seats down each side. They hold 6-10 passengers and there must be a hundred thousand of them in Saigon and all with straight pipes and no mufflers. Then comes little Renault cabs and regular size cabs and cars and pickup trucks and big buses and huge trucks and once in a while a horse and wagon. Mix all these together and crowd them on the street with few cops and you understand about the traffic. That's why I want the camera. Even you wouldn't believe it. I didn't!!
You asked about women living in the hotel. There aren't any. This hotel is all leased by the Army and is just like a barracks. Some women work at the desk in the lobby during the day (like a C.Q.) and the maids come in at 7 a.m. and must be out at 6 p.m. They are all older women, maybe 1 or2 between 35-40 and the rest older. One is assigned every 6 or 8 rooms to clean, do laundry, etc. They do wash by hand, by the way. We pay the hotel and then they pay the maids. It's costing 1750 piastres (about $15) a month now. Mine makes my bed, shines shoes, washes, irons, sweeps and mops and seems to do a good job. I may stay right here at the St. George if things go well. I kind of like the location and am trying to get a refrigerator for cold water, soda, etc., but since I moved to the 2nd floor, it's not too bad to go down to the lobby for a drink of water.
I hope you have gotten your check by now and can keep the wolf and the Sheriff away. I had to fight to get some money today but finally got the $80 I felt coming. They told the First Sgt. this morning that I had gotten paid there the end of July when I got here. I don't think it is straight yet but I got my money anyway. About your problem, I am sure Mom would loan it to you, but I'd rather you get it from the friendly loan co. instead.
Of course, the glass on my picture didn't get broken. I packed my suitcase. You are all smiling back at me right now.
Saigon is a big city, probably 2 or 3 million (about like Atlanta) and it does have a lot of attractive women, much more so than Japan. Not the flat faces like they were hit by a truck and more slender legs. They are also a little taller and more full bodied. And, all the people are more expressive. They smile a lot and are very friendly. The ones I deal with at work, in the church, BX and so forth, I enjoy knowing.
I've only answered 2 of your 4 letters, but I'll close and answer the others tomorrow. I might not get one then.
I miss you all very much and love you too. Even Rover. Be sweet.
Love, Daddy
Tuesday 4 August
Hi, Y'all:
How's tricks today? It may take me all day to finish this because the men are here to replace the lock on my door, but I'll work on it.
Feeling flush as I do I walked over to the BX after lunch today and bought a small am/fm radio for $14.75. It will help to pass the hours away. I don't seem to have an awful lot of free time even getting off at noon. It seems like by the time I write and get a bath and get my uniform ready for the next day, it's almost bedtime. I try to be in the sack by 9 at the latest because 5 a.m. comes early 6 days a week.
6 August
Dear Family,
I didn't hear from you today but I wasn't really surprised, with all the mail that has come in the past few days.It is a hot!! day here. A few minutes ago my fan quit for 10-15 minutes and I thought I would stew in my own sweat. It's back on and a breeze is picking up, probably getting ready to rain. At least it gets cool enough at night to sleep. I usually have a sheet over me by morning.
I wrote Sgt. Wood this afternoon. He's such a good guy it's a shame he's not a Mormon. I have a MSgt. who is interested in the Church. I need to get some tracts, etc. Saturday while at conference.
I arranged to work all day tomorrow so I can be off all day Saturday. I think they have got the payday mess about all cleared up now. We got the last checks in today. This mess was caused by a goof-up in Denver, so I hope your check came through
I will try to write your folks and Mom tonight. That shouldn't be too hard, I write about the same thing to both.
I just can't think of anything else to write tonight. My head is empty.
Keep smiling, drive slow.
All my love,
Daddy
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