August 12, 1971

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well by now I imagine that you are enjoying your summer vacation.  I hope everyone is well and having a good time. I got Dad's letter and was glad to hear that you are progressing with preparation for building your home. 

Well everything is going smoothly over here for me.  It's been some time since I've written a detailed letter, so I will try to bring you up to date on what little news that I have.  In June the Custodian of this club was sent to Vietnam.  I had rather thought that I would be put in charge when he left, but as it turned out they sent in another man to take over, leaving me in my somewhat undefined position.  The new custodian is a First Lt., with a masters degree in accounting and a CPA.  I must assume that they made him Custodian because of these qualifications rather than a lack of ability on my part.  I say, assume because no one has said one word about it to me one way or the other.

One of the worst things I have found about the Army so far is the lack of communication between myself and my superiors.  Ever since I have been here I have never been corrected, reprimanded or counseled in any way, or for that matter, praised or applauded.  But yet I find myself in a job that must be considered limbo!  It is neither challenging or stimulating and definitely not necessary and it has long ago ceased to be interesting!  I sometimes wonder if my card that has my name and rank on it, was folded, bent or mutilated and as a result I have been misplaced in this vast red tape machine that they call the Army.  If the Army has a category for people like me, in my type of positions (because I know I'm not alone) then I think they should call it missing in "Inaction"!  I don't want you to think it's all bad though because it really isn't,  just somewhat boring and a little disheartening.

On a brighter note, I will tell you that I was promoted to First Lieutenant, right on time, June 22 which is almost exactly a year since the time I went on active duty.  It's no big deal because everyone gets promoted to first Lt after one year unless you are a complete mongoloid idiot, in which case you are promoted directly to General.  The day I got promoted, I got a phone call and was told to report over at Brigade HQ in a uniform.  Finding my uniform and putting it all together was the hardest part.  I reported to the executive officer, a Lt. Col.   A Major read my orders and the XO pinned my silver bar on.  I shook hands with him and the major and a couple of Lt's who were witnesses and left.  That's all there was to it, short and sweet.  It is nice to be a first Lieutenant though, at least it's not the bottom man on totem pole, and of course a little more money.

A month or so ago, my car broke down and I had it in the shop for about a month, so I have't been going around the country side too much lately.  I have my car back now and it's running OK again, but it was so expensive that I hardly have enough money left for gas, at least for the rest of the month.  I must admit, that as much as I like that car, Iv'e had a whole lot of mechanical difficulty with it.  Much more than should be for a new car.  I'm going to give it another chance though.  I had so many parts of the engine replaced this time, that it should be almost like new...I hope. 

Boy I really miss everyone and I sure would like to come home around Christmas, but at this time it is impossible to say if I can do it or not.  The trip would cost at least $400 round trip, so that will pose a little problem, but not too big. 

Although the Army stinks, Germany is still great.  this is the beginning of the beer fest season when beer flows down thousands of German throats like water.  We had a beer-fest of our own here at the club last week, with a 16 piece brass "omp-pa-pa" band.  We went through 15, 50 liter kegs of beer.  Needless to say a good time was had by all.

Well I have to close this letter now since it is midnight and I have to go downstairs (I am writing this in the office) and close the club for another night.  Write whenever you can I really look forward to your letters.