February 7, 1968, Chapter Five
In mid-January 1968, Jimmy and Frank were supposed to register to go back to school at Wharton County Junior College, but after talking with the registrar and my Dad, they decided to enlist in the Army. It seems that they had been spending more time drinking Tall Boy beer and playing pool at a place nearby the college than going to classes. Their grades had also suffered severely. Since going to college and making good grades was their only deferment from being drafted, it was in their best interest to just join the Army. Frank and Jimmy went to a recruiter to talk to him about their best...
Read MoreLetters 9 & 10 from Basic, 1968
Basic Training Fun I sent Frank my Senior picture in a letter right before receiving the following two letters from him. I still had my braces on, but that did not keep me from smiling for the picture, just for him. March 16, 1968 Dear Nancy, This letter is going to be dedicated to answering your questions in the latest letters today, Saturday, March 16, 1968, but first I have to tell I love you very much and that’s 3 small words to cover a very strong undefinable feeling I have for you. You asked about the exercises. Yes, they are hard, but I’m getting in better...
Read MoreLetters 11 & 12 from Basic, 1968
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...
Read MoreLetters 13 & 14 from Basic 1968
Why Does A Man Cuss? I wrote a letter to Frank about the increase in cuss words in his letters to me. The following letter is his explanation for why a man cusses. April 9, 1968 Dear Nancy, Girl, I am severely disappointed in you. I got three letters from you today and the 3rd one, (April 6), made me feel very bad. You know I love you very much and for me to love someone commands a great deal of respect for that person. I respect you more than I have respected anyone in my entire life. I asked you to marry me and be my wife. Nancy marriage to me is one of the most...
Read MoreLetters 15 & 16 from Basic 1968
A Unique & Special Letter The next letter is unique and special, Frank decided to write to me on something he thought would be different, but I will let him tell you about it. April 20, 1968 Dear Lou, Isn’t this a novelty? I bet you never expected to get a letter that was written on a bedsheet. Well, I’m not out of paper, I’m not nuts, and I don’t mean anything by it. I just thought that it would be unusual. It is Friday of my 6th week, and my nerves are shot. We don’t get our orders until Wednesday and rumor is the RA’s don’t...
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