Monday, February 26, 1968

26 Feb., 1968

at sea, Tonkin Gulf

Dear Mother and Dad,

I got your letter of the 19th today. Although I just wrote a few days ago I am sure you are always eager to hear from me so I'll see if I can bring a few lines together. Any letters I get I usually like to answer the same day. The helicopter has been making a mail run every other day but starting today its suppose to be every day now.

I'm sorry to hear that everyone is down with the cold and flu. The weather is pretty nasty up here but I'm managing to stay in good health thanks to the great medical care of the Navy.

Good luck in getting into the nursing program. It may be the break you're waiting for.

I thought the clipping about the Cubs was interesting and found a little humor in it, considering the source. I'm sure going to miss sitting in front of the T.V. on weekends taking in the games, but someday I'll be able to enjoy the privileges of civilian life again.

Because of the weather being so bad up here there has been a limited number of air strikes in the north. As a result, we have just been cruising around waiting for something to happen. Over the weekend two planes did go down somewhere away from our station. They rescued the pilot from one with a helo from one of the carriers. The other ones they gave up for lost. There are three carriers operating in our vicinity. They are the Enterprise, Bon Homme Richard, and Ticonderoga. Watch for them in the news, of course they get all the publicity. The only time someone pays any attention to the other ships is when they get captured (the Pueblo).

This drawing is of a cabinet I would like to build for the stereo equipment I intend on buying over here. Maybe you might have some better ideas and I may think up a different style. But I like this one the best. Anyway, try to be on the lookout for some wood and hardware. Let me know what you think of the design.

Here are some more pictures. I probably won't have any more till after we get back from Japan.

They are trying to make plans to have a priest fly in on Sundays to hear confessions and say Mass. It will make things seem a little more like Sunday if it works out.

We observed Washington's birthday and had holiday routine. They had a bingo game, for the first time, and showed a movie in the afternoon besides the usual evening one. It was a good day and gave us a chance to relax a little.

Well, thats all the good (?) news from here. I'll be waiting for your letters and anxious to answer. So long for now.

Your son,

Mike