Thursday, November 11, 2010

Love Letter From Vietnam

      My dear love,                                                    
      November 18, 1969
         
     Rain falls from the heavens as I think of you tonight.  I dream of the moment I get to hold you in my arms again.  This letter won't be long but I had to tell you how much I love you.  How much I miss you.  It's hot here.  South Vietnam is no walk in the park.  Your a walk in the park.
    
     I don't know why it keeps raining.  I've been sent over to the Medical camp today to help out with the soldiers.  I am training new medics.  You won't believe how bloody it is in here.   The stinch of war  and courage fills the room.  It's bitter sweet really.  Tomorrow we start running out in to the line to look for lost, wounded soldiers.  It's a scary world outside this tent.  Bombs dropping, rifles letting loose.  It trembles my bed. 

       I tremble... at the thought of never seeing you or our children again.
   
      I have become sort of a counselor.  I'm somebody to talk to.  I'm a listening ear.  I am here to serve and fight for our Country.  I smoked my last cigar the other night.  It was so nice to have a moment of peace.  It didn't last long.  Before I knew it I was taking cover under a house due to bombs.  I cover my head and closed my eyes.  I can feel pieces of buildings fall upon me.  I await the moment of silence after each bomb.  I can think for a minute, and brace myself for the next one. 
   
     How are the kids?  Growing I bet.  How is Cindy doing in school?  Is David behaving himself?  I got a letter from Cathy last week.  Her handwriting is improving.  Tell them I love them will you?  Tell them I will be back soon.  I have sent a tape recorder with my voice on it.  I just talk about my days here.  You can't hear me sometimes because of the sirens that go off in the background.  They aren't anything to be scared of.  Are they scared?  Tell them not to be.  I'm coming home.  Tell David to send me more bandaids, the soldiers appreciate them!
   
      Are you wondering where your perfume went?  I took it before I left.  I spray it on my pillow so it's as if your next to me at night.   I get a little piece of you before I fall asleep.  Well, the little sleep that we get here.  I sure miss you guys.  I get a good view of the stars from my tent.  There is  a few holes in the roof.  I imagine pieces of you in the sky, shining down on me, making the face of heaven so fine and all the world in love with night.  I breathe you in and fall asleep to the thought of you and our children together again.  Some men won't see their loves again.  My heart aches for the ones who wail with pain and touch death with their fingertips.  They are the ones out there, protecting.  Fighting.  Defending.  All with honor and dignity, courage and consequence.
   
      If this be my last letter to you, my love, tell our children I am with them always.  I am with you always.  I will sing you songs in the wind.  I miss you my love.  I miss our children.  Cindy, Cathy and David. 

 Remember the day I told you I loved you?  Maginify that by ten million and ten. 
  Until next time my sweet.  I look forward to hearing from you soon. Goodnight.  

Love to you
     Ron

Thank you grandpa for saving the lives of many.  Risking your life to bandage the wounds of our soldiers. 
Grandma, thank you for being you.  Love.

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