This can’t be Vietnam…
We’re pretty certain that this photo was not taken overseas. Our best guess is that it was either in Anderson at the recruitment office or was taken when Larry left for bootcamp.
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.
January 29, 1968
Monday
January 29, 1968
Hi Larry,
How’s it going? Not very good, I suppose. Mother said she got to talk to you yesterday. I’m glad she was finally home when you called.
Bet they’ve been keeping you kind of busy lately. How do you like the rifle range? Have you been able to go out drinking yet?
I read the letter you wrote Bob R—–. He said something about him and Carter coming out to see you when they can. He’ll probably write to you pretty soon. By the way, have you heard from Linda yet?
January 29, 1968
Monday
January 29, 1968
6 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Not much to write about, but just a few lines to let you know I am thinking of you. We had lasagna for supper. It was good, only I ate too much and I feel stuffed. Dad went to work at the [Polish] club, he said he would write you a few lines tomorrow night. He got home from the club about 8:30 last night, ate a bowl of bean soup and went to bed. He coughed all night. I gave him hell for drinking, but you know Dad, he probably never will. I think he should have a check-up by the doctor, his cough is getting worse instead of better.
Joanna just took Carol to a basketball game at South Side. Then Joanna and Carol J—– are going to the State [Theater] to see Valley of the Dolls.
January 28, 1968
Sunday
January 28, 1968
6:30 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Just got through with my washing. I hate to do it on Sunday but it was so dreary outside that I felt like doing it since there is not much else to do. It sure made me feel a little better to hear your voice on the phone, the only thing I hated was to say good-bye.
Dad isn’t home from the [Polish] Club yet, boy, when he goes to those meetings he forgets to come home. I know that he will be glad to hear that you are getting savings bonds every pay. I forgot to ask you on the phone, but did you get paid yet? I’ll bet you don’t go anywhere so you don’t have to spend any money. I think its a good idea to save some of it.
January 26, 1968
Friday
January 26, 1968
1 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Just got through cleaning house and mopping the kitchen floor, right now I am sitting under a hair dryer that Joanna and I bought to dry our hair quick when we wash it. It sure comes in handy when we are in a hurry. I am also watching my stories [Love of Life] on T.V. That story about Tess and Randolf, well they are back from their honeymoon, its not much about them anymore, they seem to be getting along OK for now, but I imagine they will be having trouble because that Bill still likes Tess and I think she likes him. She acts like she is happily married, but she still talks about Bill. Will write you more about it when its about them.
January 24, 1968
Wednesday
January 24, 1968
6 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Even though I don’t get any mail from you, here I am again. I can’t understand why it is so hard for you to write us a letter. You know that we want to hear from you and how you are getting along. I don’t mind you calling home in a while, but we still like to get letters, so get on the ball or I am going to quit writing to you.
McHale’s Navy is on T.V. right now. Dad just left to work at the Club. He finally got a new battery today for the Chevy, it cost him $24.83. Joanna will probably drive it to work tomorrow.
January 22, 1968
Monday
January 22, 1968
9 A.M.
Dear Larry:
Here it is, Monday morning, a foggy day. Dad is at work, the kids at school and Joanna went to work also, and I am going to get busy with my washing in a few minutes.
We got home from Gen and Ray’s about 7 o’clock last night. You know how Gen is, she made us stay there for supper. Mark and Cinda, Lana and her boyfriend were there also, they all asked about you. I gave uncle Ray your address, he wanted it. I guess I am going to have to fix a big batch of spaghetti and meat balls one of these days and invite Mark and Cinda. Mark is about as bad as Larry T—–, he raves about my spaghetti.
January 21, 1968
Sunday
January 21, 1968
12:03 P.M.
Dear Larry:
I missed writing you yesterday as I was busy, you know my Saturdays. Joanna was off so she took me to Pay Less and took Karl to pay the paper bill and then to practice. When I got home I fixed some chili for supper and then I went to Bingo.
January 19, 1968
Friday
January 19, 1968
8:20 A.M.
Dear Larry:
Just a few lines to let you know that I am thinking of you. Joanna just left for work on the bus, the Chevy wont run. Dad said he was going to have a new battery put in it next Wednesday, the day he is off.
I am all by myself with Schmulick, he is laying here in the kitchen on the register keeping warm. I get so mad a him sometimes when he gets in my way, he probably misses you putting him on top of the doors. Ha.
I am hoping that we get a letter from you today, you know that we are anxious to hear from you, so you should write as often as you can even if it is just a hello or good-bye.
