Larry’s Official Bootcamp Photo – 1968
We’re going to assume this photo was taken as Larry was entering Army bootcamp at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky in early 1968. There were no markings on it this to tell us otherwise. The photo is in very good condition and the colors are nice and vibrant. It almost looks like it could have been taken recently. (But not really because that would be creepy!)
March 3, 1968
Sunday
March 3, 1968
3 P.M.
Dear Larry:
I haven’t [written] to you in a few days, so I thought I had better write to let you know we didn’t forget you. Even though I don’t write every day, I still think about you and wonder how you are doing.
Well, Larry, Madison Heights got beat in the regional last night. It was an over time game and they got beat by Marion 52-51. I will have Karl cut this clipping out of the paper so you can read it yourself. I picked Marion in the guessing contest at Pay Less and for all 3 games the total was 379 and I picked 375. I sure was close but not close enough I guess because I didn’t hear anything. Some lady probably hit it right on the nose. I even got in a pool at the Club but I didn’t win that either.
February 28, 1968
Wednesday
February 28, 1968
9 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Just got home from Church so I thought I had better drop you a few lines to let you know I am thinking of you. Today is Ash Wednesday and Karl had to serve mass at 7:30 P.M. so Aunt Mary took us to Church and on the way home we stopped at Pay Less and got some rolls for breakfast. Dad is working at the Club as usual on Wednesday nights. Joanna is waiting for Carol J—– to pick her up and they are going out for a while. Tresa and Karl are already in bed for the night and Carol is still doing her homework.
Larry’s 3rd Grade Photo – 1955-1956
We’re assuming this is Larry’s third grade photo. The only marking on it is “ST. AMBROSE – 1955-56.” He would have been 8 years old and that’s usually how old a third grader is.
St. Ambrose is a Catholic church and K-12 school in Anderson, IN. All of the Rudolf children attended.
February 24-25, 1968
Saturday
February 24, 1968
8:05 P.M.
Hi Larry,
Now I am at bingo helping mommy. She didn’t win yet. Anderson isn’t playing in the sectional anymore because Highland beat them.
This afternoon Carol, Barbra, Karl, Daddy, and George W—– went to the games. Markleville played Madison, but Madison won. Highland played Alexandria, and it was a close game. They had 2 overtimes. Highland won with the score of 71 and Alexandria 69. Tonight Carol, Barbra, Daddy, Karl and Cooney S—– went to Madison playing Highland. I’m for Highland. Continued »
February 24, 1968
Saturday
February 24, 1968
Larry,
I just got back from the sectional about an hour ago. It was so neat because Madison Heights won by 15 pts. over Highland. The score was 67 to 52. I felt sorry for Highland because they were doing so good until they met Madison in that final game. They played a cool game with Anderson and beat them in an overtime. Highland also beat Alexandria in a double overtime game. Both of them were barn burners, believe me!
It’s too bad Anderson had to get beat by Highland. HA HA. Well, I guess I won’t rub it in anymore than I already have.
Passed Out With Sloe Gin
This letter was with all of the other letters. Like the Valentine’s Day Letters, this one is not from Larry’s immediate family. It’s from Linda, probably one of his high school friends, who also sent one of the aforementioned Valentine’s. This letter included the photo pictured above. It was in pretty bad shape as it must have gotten wet and part of the letter stuck to it. We tried our best to clean it up with a little water and Bestine. That seemed to work pretty well, as you can see below. She seems to be passed out with a bottle of DeKuyper Sloe Gin, but she explains what is really going on in the letter below.
February 21, 1968
Wednesday
February 21, 1968
8 P.M.
Dear Larry:
A few lines to let you know that we didn’t get any mail from you today. I thought for sure we would get a letter today since you didn’t call Sunday. I was telling Dad that I sometimes think that you didn’t want to write to us. Here you have been there for 7 weeks and so far we only have 3 letters from you in that time. I just can’t believe that they keep you so busy that you can’t even write to your family and let them know how you are doing and what’s happening. I think that is why dad isn’t writing to you. When I was talking to Mrs. H—– yesterday, she said she gets mail from her son and the way he writes they are keeping him busy, but he has time to write to his family. What’s the matter, don’t you have any stamps? I sent you a couple in one of the letters.
February 20, 1968
Tuesday
February 20, 1968
4:45 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Just a few lines to let you know that I am thinking of you and hoping you are ok. Today we have some snow on the ground and the temperature is about 26° outside.
We had a[n] early supper tonight for Dad has to go to work at the Club. He traded his Wednesday night for tonight because he got sectional tickets and he is going to the game tomorrow night and taking Karl with him. Madison Heights is playing Frankton. We’ll let you know how the game turns out.
Valentine’s Day 1968
In between all the letters from family there were other letters as well. There were two around Valentine’s Day 1968 that were from two of Larry’s friends from high school, we’re assuming. They both included a goofy card and one also included a letter. We thought they were interesting enough to include on the website. (click an image to view more detail)
