January 9, 1966

Dear Lorraine,

Hi! Honey, I hope you are not to mad at me for not writing I know it’s been a long time. We have been at Camp Lane since the 21st of December and I have only been back to Pleiku once. That was for some needed maintenance on my ship that I could not do here. I’m doing OK its just the change of environment that has got me out of sync. I was really getting comfortable with the area around Pleiku and now everything is different. The land is very flat here and it is much hotter both day and night. I was at least back at Pleiku for New Years with some of my friends. We had a party and got pretty drunk then we got a little out of hand, I’ll tell you about that some other time. It was good to be back there.

I am still getting your mail but its just a little slower getting here since it has to go to Holloway first. You are the greatest for keeping up with writing. You are right about they’re being some activity at Pleiku over Christmas but I was not there so I missed the excitement. I would like it if you quit playing around with Wigi Boards, when you get this letter you will know that I am not dead. I wish I could promise that I will write more often but some days are just the pits and when it’s over I don’t feel like it. I have seen and done many things since we got here but I’ll wait to tell you about it.

We have been working with the 25 infantry here at Lane and some times with the Koreans. Lots of troop moves, CA’s and re-supply. There is a lot more activity here than back at Pleiku. I don’t think we will be here much longer since we have bringing quite a few troops back to base camps. Our living conditions here are OK except for sleeping in a Tent with dirt floors. We have cold showers and to much dust.

I was glad to hear you had a good Christmas and that you stopped in to my parents. From what you said your New Years party was a blast to. Next year maybe we can spend it together. I can’t begin to tell you how much I miss you. I know I still have way to much time left to thinking about it but right now I really need to be with you. A hug would be just great. I’m going to stop now, I’m getting depressed. Just remember that I Love You and Miss You very much.

Tom
S.W.A.K

Tom Gator 851.