October 30, 1966

Dear Lorraine,

Hi Honey, hope all is well with you and that school is going well. I want to tell you again how much I appreciate your letters and cards. On days that I don’t get mail I re-read some of your letters to pass the time. Tell your roommate Carolyn thanks for making sure that you write even when you don’t feel like it. She is tops on my list.

In your last letter you said that you don’t understand why I’m here, let me try to explain. I could have tried to stay in college but one semester was enough to let me know I wasn’t ready yet and I did not want to flunk out and waste my dads money. I knew with a lottery number of 7 I would get drafted and most likely end up in Vietnam anyhow. When I wound up at Ft. Rucker in aviation school the writing was on the wall so I volunteered for Vietnam. I felt this would be a chance for me to grow up and learn some responsibility. Even though I would have wound up here any way it was still my choice. Now I have to hope that you will still be waiting for me when I return. This is all my doing and I’m going to make the best of it. I know you are worried that something might happen and that’s OK but so far this is a pretty safe place.

I hope your birthday was enjoyable. I wish I could have done something other than send you money. I promise I’ll make it up to you when I get home. Christmas will be the same Money and an I Owe You. You can fill in the I.O.U. when I get home. I have guard duty again tonight so this has to be short. I have to get ready for the attack of the mosquitoes. So far they are the most vicious things I’ve run into.

Love Tom
S.W.A.K.

Tom Gator 851.