August 8, 1967

Dear Lorraine,

Hi Honey! I hope your cold is better? Do you think going to school and working might be getting you run down. I got another letter from you today, which as you know just made my day. You said that you got your hair cut short I can’t wait to see it and run my fingers through it. Actually I can’t wait to see you again I could care less about your hair. My days left in country are very few and it is starting to get to me. I’m not sleeping well at night, I’m always checking something on my ship just to make sure it’s OK and I have started to get my hole baggage ready to send home. It’s OK as long as we are flying but as soon as missions are done for the day my mind starts to wonder to what it’s going to be like when I’m home. It’s like having a big test coming up and you are doing everything you can to prepare but you won’t know how you did until after it happens.

As for your question about when I’m going to be home, the answer is I’m not going to tell you. I haven’t told my parents either because I want to surprise you. I’m just going to show one of these days and knock on your door.

Today was another bad day for flying, it rained most of the day the clouds were very low but scattered and the temperature was cold. Last night several of the firebases were hit with mortar fire so we had to re-supply them with ammo. Our missions ran about 7 hours today. There seems to be more contact near Dakto and further to the west. I think something big is going to happen but no one knows when. The 119th, 170th, and 189th have all been working missions north and west of Pleiku, lots of re-supply, troop moves and Long Range Patrols. What ever it is I hope it waits till I am out of here.

I love You and Miss You Very Much. I will write again soon

Love
Tom
S.W.A.K.

Tom Gator 851.