The End of Basic Training-
I had spent nearly eight weeks in basic training in California. We did everything from ropes courses in the rain and in the heat. To learning how to shoot a rifle and everything else in between. We worked our asses off, made our feet bleed from all the marching, and made all of us wish even more that we were back home.
We were almost done and soon we would be off to war. They told us we were off in a days and that we better write home and enjoy our last few days in the US. It was scary but I was ready to do this. I was going to be a sniper when I got over there. They always told us the same things over and over again about out guns. Your rifle is your best friend, your rifle is your family, your rifle is the most important thing to you and you better treat that rifle with respect. It was a little over the top but you got the point and it was true because my gun was going to save my life one day.
Paul and I had become even closer over the past few weeks. Both of us had been assigned to go to Vietnam. Paul was somewhere on base calling his mother and telling her the news. I could have called Soda or Darry but I didn't think I could get through it so I decided to do it the old fashion way, a letter.
Dear Soda and Darry,
Well, I'm finally leaving this base. It's been hard training but I made it. They have assigned me to go to Vietnam. I know it doesn't sound great but I'm going to come home, I promise. So how is everything going back home? Anything new happen? I was just curious any news from home would be great to hear. I'll try and keep you posted of what's going on here. Hope to see you soon.
Ponyboy
I addressed the letter for my house back home and put in the mail bag. For the first time I was actually home sick like Paul had been when we first got here. "Hey, you okay? We better get our stuff together and you know just say goodbye to this hell." Paul said with a laugh trying to make me laugh.
"Ya, I'm okay, our last day here and all I can think is that tomorrow morning we'll be headed to Vietnam. The day before we leave is the day that I finally get home sick, great timing huh." I answered trying to get ready to pack
"Ya, you'll get over that. Just think about the best memory that you had with them and then just keep thinking about that one memory. Then your back home for a little while."
He said this only to cheer me up but I new I should just try this and maybe I might get a little release.
Flashback: The whole gang was hanging out in our living room. Darry was at work and Soda and Steve had some how gotten the day off. Two-Bit was watching Mickey Mouse and Johnny was on the couch watching the scene around him. Just then Dally walked through the door he had a huge grin on his face, then from under his jacket he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and some beer. Both had been stolen no doubt. All of us just sat around cracking jokes and having a good time. End of Flashback
I looked over at Paul who was keeping an eye on me but still packing his stuff. "You were right it helped, I feel like I'm back at home for once again." I said leaning back on the wall and just realizing that everything should be okay for the time being.
"Now you know what I mean, so what was it about?" He asked with mild curiosity as we both started to pack all of our stuff into our packs.
I smiled and then lay down on my bunk face up and started talking. "I was back a few years ago, when two of my friends were still alive. All of us were smoking and just having fun, laughing about shit. It was a fun time, haven't had that good of a time since then. Cause umm, about three days after that Johnny and I got caught up in this murder thing and then we went into hiding and then all this other crap and after that Johnny and Dally died."
He looked at me and didn't say anything else we both finished packing all of our stuff and then we ate our dinner and then slept for a while.
We heard the bugle sound and we got up in the early dawn. We walked out of that camp and boarded a bus to go get on a plane to go to the jungles of Vietnam.