Letters 7 & 8 from Basic, 1968

Marching In the Snow

Frank had been gone for over two weeks when I got the next letter from him. Just when he was beginning to adjust to being away from home, Mother Nature gave him a new form of adjustment.

March 13, 1968

Dear Nancy,

Last night (Monday), it started snowing, well it started snowing while we were in the theater listening to some men talk, and it snowed all night and all day today until about 5:00 this afternoon, and it was so damn cold. We had to march about 1 mile to the theater and 1 mile back two times today, and the snow was about 6 to 8 inches deep, and then the sun came out, and it started to melt, and it was slick as hell. We had to wear liners in our field jackets, two pairs of pants and a pair of overshoes. Have you ever tried to run in the snow? It’s hell.

Right now, we are going to classes and seeing films on malaria, airborne and lots of stuff. We got our rifles yesterday. I didn’t get your letter today, but I understand, I guess you are pretty busy. You ought to send me a list of songs because right now I can’t think of anything but how much I love you and how much I miss you. Your letters are about all that keeps me going. They can do anything to me they want but keep me from mail call at 4:30. I thank God every night for you and your love because I feel I’m very fortunate to have you. Do you know what my parents said about you? They said they loved you and that they felt I was very lucky to have someone like you. I feel I’m very fortunate too.

My good buddy and his wife are going to come down from Iowa for my wedding, I think. I like that blue (turquoise) for our Bridesmaids, it looks good. Everyone in my barracks likes it too. I have to serve at chow in the morning at 5:00 a.m., clean the latrine, s-s-s and fold up my washed clothes tonight, so I’d better go. Remember, I love you more than anything in the world.

All my love always,

Frank (7 weeks and 5 days)

P.S. Be good and remember I love you very much and write me as much as you can and keep on loving me.

I LOVE YOU, LOU

I was so happy to see that Frank had regained his beautiful spirit. Just that he called me, Lou, was a sign that he was in a more carefree relaxed spirit. Lou was his pet name for me and I loved it. I don’t recall anyone ever calling me Lou before Frank did.

March 14, 1968

Dear Nancy,

Today, we had a fun day (whoopee), we did our exercises in the snow (you know that white stuff) pushups and all. I’m so tired I’m about ready to drop. We had two guys carried to the hospital today with something. I sleep next to one and the other one sleeps not 10 feet from me. I hope it’s not that spinal meningitis or what the hell.

I feel rejected because I haven’t got any mail in 2 days, (I’m just kidding really).

I’m doing alright, I’m kind of tired but I’m feeling great. Just think 7 weeks and 3 days, and you’ll be Mrs. L. F. Henderson, Jr., (If you still want to). The snow is melting, and it’s getting messy.

Write to me and send me a good picture of you so I can show everyone, my future wife. Nancy, I’m so tired I can’t think of anything to say except that you are constantly on my mind and in my prayers. So be good and remember I love you so very much.

Your lonely soldier who loves you very much,

Frank

P.S. Goodnight

It was so good to be able to write to Frank and receive letters back with answers to my questions.

It was hard only to have letters as a way of communication, but there is also such a rare beauty to handwritten letters. You can actually see how a person is feeling by their writing. It seems as though the emotions people are having as they handwrite a letter magically come out as their hand holds the pen as it magically flows across the page.

I could tell by Frank’s writing if he was tired, sad, depressed, happy, scared, excited, or worried. When Frank would write down that he loved me, I could see as I read his love for me not only in the words he had written but in the way his pen had beautifully written the words.

WhenFrank wrote to me, and when I read his letters, it seemed as if he was actually talking to me while I was sitting in a chair in the room next to him, instead of hundreds of miles away. He wanted me to see through his words what he was seeing, doing, and experiencing, so I could be a real part of his soul and heart. We were totally open and honest with each other from the moment we both knew we were in love.

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4 Comments

marion rowert May 14, 2018

So sweet. I wish my letters hadn’t got lost. Only 7 in two years but read them over and over so many times that I should have them memorized.

Reply
- Nancy Henderson May 14, 2018
  
  Marion, I am sorry your letters got lost but I know you have them in your memories. I found these letters from Frank only three years ago after he led me to them in a dream. That will all be explained in the book. God works in such mysterious beautiful ways.
  God Bless you and thank you for your comment
  Nancy
Kim Lavoie July 23, 2018

💝

Reply
- Nancy Henderson July 23, 2018
  
  Thank you, Kim. I am so glad you are reading and enjoying this book.
  God Bless you,
  Nancy