Flight,

This took a lot longer to complete than I expected. Several times I just had to get away from it and let the old memories cool off. It was a good journey for me and hope I did not bore you to much.

September 22, 1967

Dear Lorraine,

Hi Honey! How are you? I’m just great. This will be the last letter you get from Vietnam. I will be out of here very soon and plan to put it in the mail just before I leave for the States. I stopped flying yesterday after missions and turned in my flight gear. This morning I watched the guy’s takeoff and it was a strange feeling not being with them. Yesterday we flew re-supply and at one LZ we picked up three bodies and took them back to the 4th infantry base camp. I think that is when I knew I was done the thought that it could be me went through my mind the rest of the day and I found it hard to concentrate. If I can’t focus on what I’m doing I’m putting the other guys at risk so I knew it was over. Last night when I told the CO he said he was going to take off flight status tomorrow. I don’t have any thing to do except wait for my orders and paper work then I’m gone. I think I’ll just stay drunk till it’s time to go.

I’ll be home before you get this and I just want you to know how much it has meant having you in my thoughts for the past year and all the letters you took the time to write. I know I will be telling you in person but I just wanted to put on paper to.

I am scheduled to out of Vietnam heading home on the 25th and I am worried about being in the real world again. I may slip up from time to time with my language and act a little wired up but it will pass with time. We are supposed to have a company party tomorrow after missions with stake and lots of beer then on the 24th I will be heading for Saigon and out-processing before the long flight back.

I Love You and can’t wait to see you.

Love
Tom
S.W.A.K.

Tom Gator 851.