Letter to the 2nd Platoon, 3rd Squad
by James Lightheiser (via Sully)
R
ecently, Wally Turner of 2nd Platoon, Delta, gave me a letter written to
3rd Squad 34 years ago by our Squad Leader James Lightheiser. The following
is a transcript of that letter. It was old, stained and hard to read after
all these years. It's great! Thanks Wally!
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Hi All
Well it looks like old sorry fuck himself is in the hospital to stay. I
went to 326 red in Sally and they sent me to the 22nd Surg in Phu Bai. From
there to the 85th EVAC in Ghu Bai. Tomorrow I'll be going farther South.
Where, they haven't told me yet. Well Turner, hope you like being a squad
leader. I know it sucks. But don't let them give you any shit about doing
anything stupid. (You know who I'm talking about.) And you two Cocksuckers
from New York. Keep your head out of each others ass. And Bowles you keep
that 16 of yours clean and what ever you do don't go shootin the point man
thinking that's you dog OK. Well even though old John H. Porter is short you
guys keep a good eye on him. Especially you Koller. If you ever hit any
shit just trade weapon with John and you'll both be squared away
Crowe is still on my Shit list for getting his radio and tell Snuffy even
thou he's getting over by being in Headquarters he still belongs in 3rd
squad. Sorry I won't be able to send you guys my Sweet Tarts or Slim Jims.
It's because I won't be receiving any mail for awhile anyway.
So you guys get the beer & coke that I paid for and split it up how ever you
like. I mean I would rather have you guys drink it than someone else. I mean
even thou I'm not there they still send my beer & coke to the Plt. So just
tell SFC Rios about it and he'll give it to you. Oh yeah Wally from the
looks of things I won't be back so see if you can get my R&R. I'm gonna try
and be back for it but if they ask I'd take it if I were you. Well Sully
you won't hear this cocksucker tell you to play your tape anymore.
I'll think of you guys getting wet & cold & being miserable all the time
while I'm here in the Hospital getting over. Sleeping all night in a nice
soft bed. Eating Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, French Fries and drinkin' Bucu
Cokes with movies every night oh man this is a bitch. But all kiddin aside
I'd much rather be out there with you guys because I don't feel right being
in here gettin' over when I know you guys are out there. I'm not givin you
no bullshit either.
I heard you guys are going to Burmingham. Hope they don't fuck with you
guys too much up there. So you guys just Stay Loose and I'll write you when
I get to where ever I'm going. Say hello to Tony Redman, Cherry Jones,
Lumpy, Loopy, Lew, Big T and all the rest of the guys for me OK. Also Big
Dick, Nick. Stay Loose
"Ole Fuck Sarget"
Jim
James Lightheiser
(via Sully)
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Jim died of cancer September 1, 2000. This letter was the last contact any
of 3rd Squad had with this great friend. Love you Jim! Thanks for the
great letter.
Sully