25 Dec,1968

Hi Mom,

Received a couple of letters from ya today. Everything is fine and I'm doing okay. Hope everybody had a good Christmas. Today was pretty much the same as any other day.

I got off guard duty this morning and asked if they needed me to fly today. I didn't want to sit around today and get bored or end up on some dumb detail. Still haven't received any word about my leave. I'm getting a little tired not hearing anything.

I flew with the 2nd platoon today. My platoon is still near the coast. Guess I told you that already. Mr. Hudkins was the A/C. Pretty neat guy. He was in the Special Forces before becoming a pilot. He's a lifer but not like some of the other ones around here. He treats us pretty good. Mr. Santos was the peter pilot. He was with our platoon when he first got here but he is not a very good pilot. They put him in the supply room. I think he only flew today to get his hours in so he could get his flight pay. He jacks with me sometimes but then I tell Lt. Rock and then he leaves us alone. My gunner was Andy Carey. He's from Maryland. He calls me his little brother.

We went to Dak To today and resupplied the firebases. Spent most of the day going into Firebase 29. It's near Ben Het. Did make two trips to Firebase 5. About noon we started hauling hot chow into the guys. We also had lots of mail bags. We took two Donut Dollies into Firebase 29. They spent about an hour there. They sure smell good. Lots of perfume. We got turkey for lunch at Dak To today. This is the weirdest Christmas I have ever had. It's really hot today and really dusty. I rather have this then the monsoon season. At least everything is dry and my clothes don't smell like mildew.

I sure have it better then the guys on the firebases. They live in bunkers with no electric or showers. The only things they get is what we bring to them. Sure am glad I'm not a grunt.

We flew almost ten hours today. Alot better then being on some dumb detail. When we came back we had to drop four Donut Dollies off at New Pleiku, the Air Force Bases. I think that's where they stay at night. One asked me how much longer I had to go and when I said I would be going home any day now she said she was jealous because she still had four months to go. I didn't tell her I was coming back.

I better get going. I told them I would fly tomorrow but nothing has been posted yet. Going hang out with some of the guys in the 2nd platoon tonight. One of the guys has the hootch decorated with Christmas lights. Merry Christmas and hope to see you soon. Tell everybody I miss and love them.

Love ya,

Ron