Ma,

Well here I am at Ft. Knox. The bus ride wasn't too bad, a bit long, but otherwise not bad at all. We stopped along the way and I met some nice people. Many of them are proud of me for going of to Vietnam, most of them however would rather we just pull out and leave them to killing each other. I'm not sure sometimes as to how I feel about it. I know that I should be true to my country and honor Dad's memory, but it just sometimes feels a bit queer. Why should we care about their war? They didn't attack us did they?

Boot camp is tough! Our drill sergant, Sgt. Cross, is one mean son-of-a-gun. He had some boys out in the 40 degree rain doing jumping jacks until they puked! Seems they were caught smoking and he made them pay for it. Other than some blisters on my left heel, I'm holding up OK. Glad I was in track back in high school, 'cause they got us running a lot. Yesterday we did a 5 mile run followed by a 10 mile hike with full gear. You gotta hand it to the US army, they sure want us healthy to go off and die in their war.

Found a new friend here, his name is Jordan. He's from South Carolina. Seems his family is in the tabacco farming business. Says when we get back from 'Nam, he'll show me how to get our farm back up and running. Says it shouldn't be to hard, as long as we still got good ground to work with. He thinks that for our area of Virginia that we should go with wheat or barley. Says that tabacco, although a good cash crop, needs the warmer climates of the south. He's got a kid brother and lives with his Mom and Dad on his grand-parents land. Seems the whole kin is there. I dunno, sounds kinda odd to me. I remember the car rides to grandma's when I was a kid. How we'd stop for ice cream and dad would have to go visit the local museums. You remember the one in Fairfax that had a museum of lingerie through the years? Dad was so embarrassed when we went in and I saw all of those women's skivvies. He got his money back and we went to the malt shop for chocolate malts. We laughed so hard that day.... I sure miss him sometimes.

How's little Joshua? I miss him. Tell him hi and that I'll bring him back a baseball card when I return. Has Sarah or Scott come by to check up on you? Scott said that if you need anything while I was away, to call him up at the grocery. He promised that he'd help out in anyway needed, and Sarah is always good for an ear. If you ever need someone to talk with, she'll come over and stay with you. I know it's hard having me off in some strange town, but I'll be home before you know it. They say I might get a week leave before shipping out, if so I'll see if I can't get a bus ticket home. It'd be great to have a home cooked meal again.

Well I don't have much time left, lights out are in 5 minutes and I still need to go brush my teeth and polish my buckles. Most boys here are having a hard time with keeping their boots polished, but not me. I got plenty of practice when I use to have to do daddy's. I even got a compliment from my CO.

Tell the gang that I miss them and that they can write back anytime. It's lonely here and I sure would love to hear from them.

Don't cry, you'll see me again real soon.

Jimmy

PS. I got the sandwich and letter you put in my bag on the bus.... I love you too!