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enjoying the privilege of proximity to the warehouses and the senior staff—sad but true! The Marines on the hills surrounding the base were apparently last in line to receive the new goodies—of course I raised hell with anybody who would listen. Finally, after a couple of weeks we received a nice surprise from Company and Battalion HQs—a daily supply of beer and soda ON ICE in huge buckets again delivered by chopper to our positions. The rule from on high was that no Marine could have more than a two beer ration per day. Each Marine could have three drinks (two beer + one soda or one beer and two sodas or three sodas) this was wonderful of course and we looked forward to that ration arriving
while on top of that hot, dirty hill! We also began receiving mail from home— again delivery by the chopper. I can’t emphasize too much the tremendous boost in morale the effect the simple ice cold drinks had on these young Marines. It
was ‘something from
familiar logos of Coca Cola,
brought America into this
Country. Eventually, we
new uniforms and boots and
rid of the stuff we had worn
Qui Nhon The troops occupied themselves between patrols by writing letters home, grabbing some shuteye when possible, cleaning their weapons, maintaining their gear and taking care of their sanitary needs. My letters from Kay were absolutely the light of my life at this time. She sent me a small recorder with a tape of kimmie saying her first words—that tape meant everything to me.
home’—and the Budweiser, etc. dusty, violent, strange started receiving the we were glad to get since we landed at
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