A/N: So the first letter. Just a litte note, there is not a letter every day, but I do have them in order of when they were written, not received. Keep that in mind. Also, as this goes on, there will be some things I'll explain that are mentioned in the letters. Most likely those will be placed at the end of such a chapter. Anyways, enjoy!
"I'm looking forward gretly to your first letter, so I'll be particularly happy to get settled in one place or the other as soon as possible. I can already feel the kids growing up in my absence and can visualize the type of trouble you may be having with them." -Major Robert B. MacKenzie
Mom,
Got here yesterday afternoon. The flight wasn't bad, and I sat next to another guy from the Baltimore area. We talked for a while, but as the trip wore on, everyone on the plane grew quiet. I suppose they were thinking about what it was all going to be like when we finally arrived in Vietnam. I know I was. There were a couple of guys who had already done a tour of duty and were coming back for more. Marines, they were.
Once we landed, they sorted through us and loaded us into keeps. It seems like Klaiman (the man from Baltimore) and I are to be in the same unit. From what we've talked about, he seems like a good man and hopefully it won't be as bad as it might be without him. One never knows though. However, they loaded us into jeeps, most of us were grouped together in a convoy comprised of six jeeps and four supply trucks. The jeeps took us to a large field, where we were told to wait. Turns out we spent the night there, no tents above us, just the sky, in which the more than occasional helicopter flew over us.
This morning we woke to find ourselves and our gear slightly damp from dew. A sergeant came by and handed out our assignments, telling us to group with others to were going to our areas. As I've already mentioned, Klaiman and I are in the same unit. We were the only two going to our area. Another jeep picked us up and the two of us travelled in another convoy down many dirt roads to another American camp. The lieutenant seated in the front of our jeep was nervous the entire trip, gripping his M-16 as if his life depended on it, which now I suppose it does, what with being in a country where anything might happen at any time, good or bad. This trip took noticeably longer than the first, seeing as the camp was close to twenty miles away. Not to worry though, we arrived with no mishaps and no contact with the North Vietnamese whatsoever.
When we finally reached the camp, we were pointed to a large tent. The unit was out in the jungle when we arrived so we found a couple empty bunks and threw our bags down and had a seat. Again, we didn't talk much, nerves seeming to have bested us. By the time the unit returned, it was nearing dinner and Klaiman and I had been wondering over the location of the mess tent. Before either of us could ask, and before any of the returning men could ask who we were, guess who I spotted? David! Seems that after just a few short weeks, he had already established himself in the group, which meant that I had an "in", so to speak. He quickly introduced me to all the guys and together we went to the mess tent.
Now, sitting here writing, I'm fully able to ponder over the incredible luck of being in David's unit. There must be hundreds of units, thousands of men... The sheer coincidence and luck at this event is truly amazing. Somehow I think, know rather, that David will be a much larger asset in this whole ordeal than I had previously thought Klaiman would, though I don't abandon the belief that he and I will be good friends.
I must leave now, seeing as it's time for some shut-eye, but hopefully I'll write tomorrow, Friday at the latest. I've included the address you can use to write me below.
Your loving son,
John