Howdy Folks!!
Well your probably wondering how my foot is! It is beautiful even with a whole through it. There is no more pain to it and I can walk fine. Only I don’t let the military know it and put on a false limp like you never seen. You can bet your boots the next time I get in trouble I’ll try to break a bone or something so I can drive that new car. I received your letter today you wrote the 23rd of July. I have received all your mail + all Evelyn’s + Leora + Denise’s letter. The mail is coming just fine. The reason I am writing my letters more cheerful is because as bad as it is over here (which I haven’t seen no sign of Charlie yet) I enjoy my job as much as I hate it. I know my last statement is hard to understand but I can’t pull myself out of that chopper. As dangerous as it is – I can’t pull myself away from it. Another reason why I like it over here because I am Short in the army. Knowing that one more plane ride home and not back, is blowing my mind every minute. Its something I been waiting for a long time and then I am on my own and no one to give me a direct order. All I have to do is live to see it. Ha Ha
That car I don’t believe- I almost had a heart attack- Send me a picture of it soon!
Today a top-Secret Mission came to my company and we are suppose to be a escort for a very special person, but they won’t tell us. Here we are in Viet Nam – spit Shining Helicopters + spit shining boots and a special truck for hair cuts. Well Nixon was in the Philippeans yesterday and I personally think we are a honored company to escort him! Maybe I am all well but will see! I know they wouldn’t tell the world that Nixon was going to stop here in Nam. Something big is up through because all this going on and M.P’s and top Brass were all over like flys today -we move out for it soon and I’ll be the only man left back for 3 days; the mission I’ll miss completely. Probably the the [??] is going to move from Phuoc Vinh to the Delta and I hope not that. The US says Viet Nam is over sort of to speak - I agree but know different. They are out there Dad Old Man, but our Troops in my company even me all got hurt or dead by the US NOT Charlie. This is pissing me off good. By the way you better take care of that car damit _+ Evelyn even wrote me about it.
Don’t get the idea that I am on the drugs over here because I am not. I have tried them all by the way but didn’t like it at all but they do make you high! I stick with drinking and do just as Good. Did you every by buy that property or take it out of me and I’ll still buy it + I’ll be glad to own the boat too, I know 10 months 26 Day (I was wrong last time & said that) is a long time to go but it don’t really seem it! You just wake up every day and say got to get today over ad get tomorrow here. You got something to do over here and thats count the day and hope you’ll be alive to count the last day- Ha Ha
Well I just moved into my new barracks today and I am in with a real good bunch of guys. The barracks were just built. The showers haven’t been built yet but will have to take a long way and use the old ones. You want to here a hot one-Our Big Chow Hall burnt to the ground a night ago and did we laugh, but now we have to walk a mile to another one until we get one built. The laugh was on us. Tell everyone I said Hi from the vacation place of the World; you can also tell Kilts To write me. (He owes me one) Tell Sam if he thinks he has a down and out face in Canastota, he would have been dead and buried a long time ago if he seen over here. I do get a real kick watching the girls over here though - they way they act really blows my mind! Oh don’t laugh! Well take it easy + tell Tammy I said Hi, and so long for now.
The bravest coward Doug
P.S. If you can send me my guitar in a big box and pack it Good!
PPSS-_How’s it feel to be rich Old Man!!!
Real Grove’y Ha Ha
Douglas T. Ginney (b.1949-d.2020)
U.S. Army, 1968-1970
Letter dated July 27, 1969.
Courtesy of Evelyn Ginney, wife of Doug Ginney
