October 12, 1967

Grandma Taylor,

How's it hanging back on the block? Everything here is cool, it's still HOT though. I bet Detroit was a mess with all the rioting. Everything cleaned up and back to normal now?

Lost a few guys last week when the firebase was overrun. Micky didn't make it, but Marvin Johnson is still here with me.

We got a whole new shipment of newbies in. A kid name Danny Percell from Montana, Scott Baker is a real life surfer from California and Grandma he is so dumb he could be goofy at Disneyland. Roger Horn from Chicago, word is Sarge only picked him cause the boy plays a mean harmonica. Horn came in refusing to kill anyone, he only went about 24 hours and found himself taking out a N.V.A. officer who was trying to shoot him. Alberto Ruiz is a little Puerto Rican from the Bronx. He thinks he tough, I think he's wrong. Then there was a new brother from Motown, he's already gone. A couple more hikes in the boonies and we will see how many of these newbies are here to stay. I'll let you all know how the new squad works out.

Other than fighting the war I have been staying out of trouble and getting rich playing poker with all the guys over here. Just thought I'd drop you a note to tell you I'm O.k. and I love you. I am looking forward to the end of my tour and coming home to the real world.

Tell Aunt Rose and everyone else that I said hi and I miss them. Make sure no one is worrying about me, cause everything here is fine.

Love your grandson,

Markus