Letters 11 & 12 from Basic, 1968

Posted in Love Letters | 4 comments

Young Love

 

The next letter you will read really upset me. Frank was so far from home and so sick. As soon as Frank could, he would call home to his folk’s house collect from a phone booth so that I could talk to him

 

March 25, 1968 

Dear Nancy, 

This a very depressing letter, so if you want to throw it away, do it now.  Thursday night I got two shots and then at 6:00-8: 30 p.m., I had to clean the Mess Hall and then at 3:30 a.m. Friday morning until 9:00p.m. Friday night (18 and 1/2 hrs.) I had K.P.  Saturday, we had an inspection, and our platoon won the best of the week (yea).  Then we had a test, and the cut off was 140 out of 168 questions.  I made 151 and didn’t even study.  Well, after the test, I felt cold, and we had PX privileges yesterday afternoon. 

But Friday night, I left my pants on my footlocker, and the next day, I checked, and someone had stolen every penny I had about ten bucks. So, I didn’t go to the PX and drink beer with everyone else.  Everyone else tried to give me money, but I was feeling poorly, and I didn’t go.  Well, at supper I ate a ½ bowl of soup and a piece of cherry pie. 

Well, this morning I felt like shit and had a fever and chills.  So, I skipped breakfast and slept and missed church.  At dinner, I had to serve, and I ate one small ham sandwich and skipped supper.  To sum it up, I ache all over, have a fever, I ‘m sweating and have chills also.  Jim bought me some 4-way cold tablets, and I took two, and they gave me stomach cramps.  The guy that sleeps across from me has had URI (Upper Respiratory Infection), and he says that is what I have.  I don’t know.  But I’m not going to the hospital because I’ll miss some training. 

But don’t worry because I’ll get better, I promise.  Everyone is taking care of me, and I’ll get better.  I shouldn’t have told you, but if you had found out later, you would probably get mad.  If Mom and them ask, tell them all I’m ok.  I’m sorry my writing is slow, but I haven’t had time. I write every chance I get.  By the way, don’t send any more letters airmail because it took three days to get here, so don’t waste your money. 

I’ve gotten two letters this week from you and one from my family.  The mail must be screwed up.  I ordered two 8 x 10 pictures of me in my uniform.  One for you and one for my family.    About the BC pills do what your mother said, and after we get married, you can stop but please her for now. 

Well, how’s everything going with you?  I believe I’ve cried on your shoulder for long enough.  I feel bad for pushing all my troubles on you, so forget I ever said anything.  I love you so very, very much.  I took your picture out a while ago and just stared at you. I love you and miss you so very much. 

Do you miss me?  Darling, I love you.  

Don’t you or my parents send me any money because I can make it until payday (Friday)?  Keep your chin up and don’t worry about me because BT is getting easier and the time is passing. I’m not as bad off as you think, I just don’t feel real, good, it’s probably the food so, don’t worry. 

Ok.  Lou, I can’t tell you how much I love you.  Well, be good and tell my parents I’m writing as much as I can and not to worry about me.   Nancy, remember one thing, I love you so very much.  See you later Mrs. Loren F. Henderson, Jr. (future). 

Love, 

Frank 

 

Frank was really sick, and I was extremely worried about him.  Of course, I let his folks know that he was sick.  I knew how concerned they were about him and his welfare. 

This letter of all letters you should remember in the future as you read this book.  It will play an important part in the far future. 

 

April 8, 1968 

Dear Lou, 

God Damn, I miss you so much!  Baby today I got to hear your wonderful voice and talk to you, you, beautiful woman.  Baby, I finished talking to you at 2:30, and we caught a cab back to the barracks and tried to take a test. The radio was going and playing songs we used to listen to, and it blew my mind, and I made 156 instead of 165, so I don’t get a pass or post privileges next week.  But I don’t care because I got to talk to my beautiful, wonderful fiance. 

Baby, I love you so much, It’s’ getting where I can’t stand being away from you anymore.  The only thing that keeps me going is that may be on at night I’ll get a letter from you and boy do I enjoy that. If you knew how much I love you, you wouldn’t ask ” I hope you love me still” or some silly shit like that.  Baby, I do love you, and I always will.  You’re my everything, and I don’t think I would want to live without you, and I don’t plan on trying. Baby, you’re on my mind constantly. 

I ‘ll be so damn glad when I get home to you and can hold you in my arms and tell you exactly how I feel about you. 

Girl, you couldn’t find a better husband you tried.  I will treat you so good and provide for you as well as I can.  I just can’t tell you how much I miss you.  Girl, I enjoyed talking to you so much today.  Hell! Guess what just came on the radio?  You guessed it, “Young Girl.” 

Baby, I’ll have to close now because it’s almost lights out, so I’ll write anytime I can and keep writing to me as often as you can.  Remember, first of all, I love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. 

Love, 

Frank 

P.S.  You should have seen me strutting around with your picture today showing everyone. 

Hi Wife!!! 

 

Frank got to call me, and it was absolutely wonderful.  I remember how excited I was to hear his voice again.  I was on cloud nine and floating on cloud nine, just as he was.  Our love was so deep for each other.  We had been separated from each other for weeks, but our love had only become stronger and deeper.  God had put us together, and there was no doubt that we were becoming one heart, soul, and mind with God’s blessings. 

Young Love

<<<<<< The Beginning | Next Chapter>>>>>>

Visits: 604

4 Comments

  1. Makes me miss my husband. Nancy, did they really have BC pills back then ?

    • Marion, yes there were birth control pills in 1968. I think my Mom was insisting because we were so young but we never ever used birth control our entire married life. God had a His own birth control plan for us.
      These letters really bring back memories and of course, like when you have read them, they make me miss Frank being here physically again. The grief and loss of a true love never go away, it just simmers in the background of our minds until something brings it to the surface. Letter number 11 really affected me in ways nobody but me will understand because it had the answer to a question Doctors asked me when Frank was so sick before he died. Had I remembered or found Frank’s letters before he died, I would have had the Doctors answer but we all have a chosen time when God calls us home and I have found peace in God’s decision.
      God Bless you and love to you, my sweet friend,
      Nancy Lou

  2. Yes…the testing, all the extra duties, all the menial nit picking garbage….and being both sick and homesick. His commitment to you in the midst of all that…..

    • Kim, Frank’s love for me and mine for him was the purest form of true love. Our hearts beat as one and our souls were so intertwined that they quickly became one.
      God had a plan for us and I thank Him everyday for being part of that plan.
      God Bless You and thank you for reading and commenting.
      Nancy

Leave a Reply to marion rowert Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.