A.W. (Peter) Machen to Arthur and Rose Machen

Oct. 4, 1969

Vietnam 

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well, I got to both of your letters today, one from Nonie and another from Martha.

As you can see I got a fountain pen.  Now I'll draw some more cartoons when I get a chance.

The Captain says we will stay two nights on the hill and only one in the bush.  He said we have been pushing too hard.

Well here is some bad news.  We ain’t going afloat.  But -- we are leaving Hill 190 and going to Namu Bridge for security.  That's a good place.  There are girls over there and we can go swimming.

On the third thought plus your suggestion, don't give TJM the gun.  I think Henry would appreciate more in future years!

Our captain is quite a man.  He talked with the gun squad and said “I take my hat off to anyone who humps an M-60 machine gun through the bush all day long."  That made our day!  Honestly, I feel like I've grow 10 feet since I've been in Vietnam.  You can never know what it's like unless you've been here, and I don’t suggest it.

Mary Armstrong wrote me a nice letter and I wrote her back.

It's now rained for days straight.  I've got to go out tonight on patrol.  Fight to keep dry.

Correction: I said see CAC unit, It’s CAP unit -- Combined Action Program.

Thanks for the 6-12 pads.  Must be something new.  After this rain stops those mosquitoes will have a field day (not on me though).  Don't worry about the request I've made about booze.  It isn’t worth breaking the law.  I'm sorry.  I led you on to a bad thing.  If you already sent me a bottle don't worry about it.  But if you want to send me any booze, be safe, don't make it larger than a miniature (a nip).  That’s safe.

I tried to write everyone who writes me.  I've got letters from so many different people it's hard to keep track.  I need a secretary!  Well, I'm going to eat some C-Chow – C-rations.  Let's see boned chicken, [?] unit and fruit cocktail.  Not bad.

Lots of love to all,

Pete

PS

I'll send some pictures home in a few weeks!