Saturday, March 16, 1968

Mar. 16, 1968

Tonkin Gulf

Dear Mother + Dad,

Its a little after 7:30 PM Saturday evening. I got your letter of Mar. 1 and the calendar yesterday. Today I got a letter from Grandma that was postmarked Mar. 5 but I wrote to her yesterday so she should get it soon. The mail is very unpredictable at times. I guess its just like the weather.

I also recieved a letter from Bill yesterday which he wrote Feb. 28th. Figure that out if you can, they must send mail over here by carrier pidgeon.

You mentioned that Bouchey had malaria. That is something they worry about over here. Every Monday evening at supper they pass out these malaria pills for us to take. They make you feel a little sick the next day but thats better than being laid up in some hospital for a couple of months. I suppose those Marines welcome that because at least they can get away from here without having to take a bullet to do it.

Our next stop in Subic will be for such a short time I am sure I won't be able to look up that guy. We will probably anchor out in the morning and get underway early in the evening. Our only reason for going back there is to unload the helo and its crew and pick up some supplies and mail.

Only one more week left up here and in two weeks we will be in Japan. Everyone is looking forward to getting there and it should be good liberty providing the ship doesn't make us stay on board over the weekend like they did in Subic Bay.

If you can, would you send me some more information about that tape recorder you bought. The instruction book would be fine. I'd like to have some idea what its like. In case I have a chance to buy myself one I want it to match up with yours.

Today the ship had its 100th helicopter landing. Right now we have two on board. Ours is being repaired and in the hangar and a bigger one is on the flight deck.

About 1330 we had a fire break out in one of the radar power rooms. They got it put out quick and there was very little damage. It was an electrical fire caused by some overheated wiring. So today has been one of our more eventful days out here.

I think after I finish off this roll of film, I am going to start taking slides. No doubt I can buy a slide projector over here and they have certain advantages over prints.

I'm glad to hear David finally got to get his new bike. If he takes good care of it, it should last long enough so his next set of "wheels" will be a car (hint). With Easter vacation coming up I suppose he is getting eager and has a lot of things he wants to do then. I bet he talks Daddy into taking him to work at least one day. Its always good to hear that he is doing better in school, just keep at it and he will get along fine.

Its been 34 days at sea since we left Subic Bay. Everyone is in good spirits but I am sure we all could use a few beers right now. By the time we get in Japan I'm sure we all will be glad to set foot on land again.

That about sums it up for now. I'll try to write one more "free" letter while we are here, but if I don't you will hear from me in Japan. Keep the letters coming and I'll be looking forward to getting the package and magazines. Bye for now.

Your son,

Mike

P.S. Good luck on the diet!