June 25th 1966
Dear Matt,
A year isn't enough to do anything over here. We're all just fightin for survival. We ain't fightin to win. We're just tryin to make it home to whoever we got over there. For me it's you. For Ludwig it's that guy in the picture. For Tonio it's Lovi. We ain't bad guys, Mattie. We just do bad things. Promise me when you see me in the airport that you'll act like I haven't changed.
Love,
Al
June 30th 1966
Matthew,
This is the last letter I will ever write from Vietnam. I ship out in a five days. Five whole days, Matt. I ain't real excited or nothin. I just can't believe I'm going home. It feels weird. I met a new guy today. I don't even remember his name. He looked at me like I was some old man. I am startin to gray a bit by the ears, but it ain't nothin bad. Feels like I'm floatin. In case I day in the next few days I just want you to know that I love you. I love your hair, your eyes, your lips, your nose, your fingers, your smell, that weird ass teddy bear of yours. I love it all. Don't ever forget me, because I could never forget you. Even if I die in these next five days I hope you'll always love me just a little bit. I hope you find a great man. I hope you live to be five hundred and ten! I hope you'll have great children. I hope you have grandchildren and great grandchildren. Matt, I hope you live to the fullest you could ever possibly live. I love you, Matthew.
Your hero,
Al
August 4th 1966 a helicopter was shot down by the Viet Cong. One of the survivors was a young Private named Jones. Private Jones, though being sent home from Vietnam, did everything in his effort to save the other young men on his flight. He rescued two men from drowning and saved three more by getting a rescue copter to the scene fairly quickly. Private Jones was taken to the hospital and treated for wound. Half of his right leg was amputated during the crash yet he still managed such valiant efforts. Private Jones was rewarded the Medal of Honor.
A.N./ Well, I certainly didn't kill him. This is the end of the line for this story. Thanks for all who reviewed and enjoyed.
