James Fortune ~Vietnam
16 Jun 69
Dear Chris,
To start with and want to see you very much. I am not going to lie. Chris, your letters have grown a part of me. Every day I make sure to check to see if you have written me. I really enjoy getting your letters. Maybe I shouldn't say it, but without your letters I couldn't have taken the blow from Terrie. Now it is just something in the past between her and me. Once in a while I think of her but I laugh instead of being sad like I used to be.
I am a boy trying hard to fill and do a man's job, but now I don't think I can do it without you.
What I want to say is Chris you have grown a part of me. You are such a special friend to me. We are many miles from each other, but still we are such close friends. I hope that you will keep writing to me. I need you and your letters, Chris. I am a boy trying hard to fill and do a man's job, but now I don't think I can do it without you. I want to be with you for our first date. Sounds funny but it is true. You and I haven't ever really been on a date together. I want to make that first one this time when I come home.
Well what have you been doing? I guess probably getting ready for that trip to Washington. It is fun traveling but it has gotten now that I am tired of it. But not too tired to make that trip home. There isn't nothing in the world going to stopping me now from coming home. I am having a little trouble now because I have to pay for this chain that got stolen from the wrecker. But if I can borrow some money somewhere I will be alright. So don't worry I will be home the first of August sometime. Well I guess I will close for now. Write soon.
Love,
Jim
P.S. I miss you,