May 18, 1968
Dear Mom & Dad,
Well we just got off our operation last night so I thought Id better write now that I have a chance.
the operation wasn’t to bad we had contact with the V.C. about 4 times and we got artillery from them that’s when I got scared I did get hit with a little piece of srapnell but nothing big. Instead of teamleader I’m Gunner now for about a month till this other Guy Rotates next month. We were on the this operation for 12 days time sure does go fast so far any ways. So what have you all been doing? I hope your all in good health and the best of care. I’ve been getting letters from a lot of people and just cant find time to write Back you were probably beginning to think I was dead for not writing in a such a long time. How Is everything back in Geneseo? still the same How is Grama and Grampa..? Oh Yea when you send a package send fruit, cig and KoolAiD and other things. But don’t send Cala chocolate candy Because it melts on the way over here. I’ve been losing weight everyday pr Pretty soon I’ll Blow away like 4 leave. Well I just wanted you to know I was ok so I’ll write again tomorrow.
Love
Your Son
Rick
Rick C. Bartholomew (b.1949-d.2016)
U.S. Marine Corps, 1967-1991
Letter dated May 18, 1968.
Courtesy of Rick Bartholomew and the Livingston County Historian's Office
