L-Z and Radio Watch. We sent 5 more "Gooks" to heaven today.

L-Z this morning. Working party this afternoon.

We just secured early because we are supposed to get with Arty and Rockets. The last 3 intelligence reports have been correct. I hope this one is wrong.

Radio watch this afternoon.

I took another spill today. We had loaded rounds on a truck and I was riding it over to the Gun. One side panel of the truck fell off; the rounds rolled from under me and I tumbled. As I hit the deck (shoulder first) I rolled away from the ammo which was following me.

About 50 meters away, a guy on Gun-6 yelled, "Hey, Worden! You Okay?"

Then the Captain, as far off in the other direction, yelled, "…you alright, Worden?"

I escaped with a bruised side and a pinched finger.

Then, tonight, Faler fell off of the same walkway that I did a few nights ago, before yanking down the same 292-antenna, but he was drunk.

…hit the jackpot today. A package from Mom, a fruit cake from Dr. Herrin, a letter from Mom, one from Jane and a tape from Jane, too.

I hit the jackpot again today. A package from Aunt Theresa Barr (and Grandma Worden), a Christmas card from Aunt "T," and letters from Mom, Stevie and Aunt Connie.

At noon, I was put on a working party. I went to the Ammo bunker with Wright and Woodcock. The rest of the party never showed up so we stretched out on the cold floor and slept.

About 1830, the "Lazy W’s" awoke and made it back. We skated. Then the mail was distributed and I discovered I had hit the jackpot again. Another package from Aunt "T" and a letter from Jane, with pictures. Decent!

I sat on the radio with a new guy this morning. He sure is slow.

Then at noon, Ski requested that I be the radio operator on the L-Z. We had five helicopters to come in with Ammo.

No mail…today. Oh, well, I knew it couldn’t hold out. Nobody got any.

I went to Mass today.

JACKPOT! …again today! I got another package from Aunt Theresa and Grandma today, plus a letter from Jane and a Christmas Card from Billy Hiott.

Today was almost like Christmas. Nearly everybody in ECHO got packages. We had five bags of mail to come up.

I had Radio Watch this morning and I PM’d gear this afternoon.

I spent my first night in my new home.

It seems that everybody in ECHO is getting a package from some individual or group in the States. Richards got a package form a Boy Scout Troop last night. This morning, I got a card form a girl, Sharon Mark, in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

I spent this morning building a fence around our walk, and this afternoon on Radio Watch

We were to be hit at 1600 with rockets. Nope! It rained all day.

First day that I haven’t received mail of some type-any type. But I got news that was nearly as good as news from home. ECHO Battery and all of its personnel will leave the Place of Angels on December 16 and go to "C-2" Alleluia!

The other day, a grunt had to tell another radio operator a frequency to switch to on his radio, but since there is a possibility of the enemy monitoring the net, codes must be used. A lot of people use "From Jack Benny’s age, add (or subtract) ‘x-numbers’."

Or, some use the "Big City Shackle" (New York City with corresponding numbers under each letter [0-9] and then the letters are used.

The other day, I heard an original one. "From the frequency you are now on, add two football fields, a baseball team and subtract 2.6." He was on 40.8 and switched to 69.2

My day began today at Midnight. I had Radio Watch ‘till 0600. Then about 0630, I hit the rack ‘till noon. At 1315, I reported to Working Party, about 20 minutes late. So Sgt. Freeman said, "Next time you report to MY working party late, you’ll work over 30 minutes for every minute you are late."

Big deal! So he thought he’d punish me by making me help Sgt. Chamberlain on the TD-15 (caterpillar.) Actually, all I did was ride in a trailer.

Then at about 1600, Gun-1’s Ammo/personnel bunker caught on fire. Pandemonium!

So then, after we got the rounds out safe, and the fire pretty well under control, he and I brought the TD-15 over and began removing the smoldering 12x12 beams.

Around 1830, he told me to secure. He said, "You’ve done your day’s work." …and every one was yet humping ammo, so actually my "punishment" was a blessing.

It is now about 2000 and we leave in three days. I have about four beers saved back so I plan to empty a few.

Today, I left Con Thien, never more to return to that hole of a hill. Fox’s position is beautiful. I had a "hot" shower.

Today, I slept ‘till about 0900 in the ammo bunker. About 1030, ECHO Battery started moving down. C-2 is gonna’ be SOME place…almost like the States.

At approximately 0900, I rode into Dong Ha to pick up some Comm gear. By noon, I was back at C-2.

We are going to plant grass. We have to wear complete utility uniforms, plus flack jackets and helmets – must salute officers. We will have a bunker inspection each and every morning. But we DO have a hot shower.

The Red Cross gave everybody a little red bag with a few items in it for Christmas; writing gear, playing cards, tooth brush case – wash & dry towels, etc.

Life here is quite simple. On the radio, I only act as a relay station, and for a while, it seems that I am going to be sort of a courier for Cpl. Allyon.

Gordon Stover left for the field today, and Hurley came back to the battery.

I went back to Dong Ha today, again. …saw Fredrick.

No Mail.

At 0600, I went on Radio Watch. AT 0930, they took me off R.W. and put me on Working Party. We secured at 1145.

At 1300, I was right back there, and there I remained until 2130 toting ammo. Then at midnight, I started Radio Watch.

Midnight to 0600: Radio Watch.

0600 to 1200 - Working Party.

I had another hot shower tonight.

I went to Dong Ha about 1830 and stayed over night. Saw another Matt Helm movie; Murder’s Trail. Dean Martin; Ann Margaret. GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Beaucorelli was wounded today.

Returned to C-2 about 1430. Skated!

I got a package from Aunt Hazel and a few more Christmas Cards.

…Is this possibly Jim Morris (Babysen?) This was our Christmas Tree at C-2

Christmas Eve! Midnight to 0600 Radio Watch. 0600 to noon – slept.

Noon to 1500 – Working Party – Supposedly having all afternoon off – so now we are off until 1600.

Today, I got a letter from a Mrs. Francis Rogers. She thanked me for the letter I wrote in the "Press and Standard" and invited me to have a cup of coffee at her new Coffee House, the Kornonia." I don’t even know her.

Tonight, everybody (except Johnson) I think, in ECHO Battery was drunk. Maybe not wholly drunk, but happy! Everyone was popping red, green and white illumination till a bunker caught fire.

Then, later on, I had to help break up a fight between Morris (about 5’2") and Alayon (About 5’9".)

Everything is okay, now.

My hand is a little slower than my mind this morning and my mind isn’t too swift, but I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Why do they say, "…and a happy hangover."? I don’t see where they are so happy. Oooooooh!

Last night, a group of Grunts stopped in the road outside our house and sang a few Christmas Carols. Then they began the Marine Corps Hymn and everyone Booed and hissed …’till one guy spoke up.

"We are singing this for all the men who lost their lives up here." Boy, we got quiet right quick.

At noon, Comm and FDC began working on the bunker again.

I got to Mass, today. What a perfect way to end a Christmas day!

We did get hot chow today.

I went into Dong Ha today and finally picked up Linda’s Earrings after nearly 4 months. I came to a conclusion today. All females over here grow to the age of 12 or 13 and then they jump all the way to 35 or 40. The little girls here are all so cute. …like little dolls.

I got no mail today.

Mickey left for the "Repose" for a checkup.

Upon arrival at C-2 (now Camp Terry V. Leech - named for C-2’s first casualty) on 16 Dec., we were to have a chow hall built within a week. Today, we had our first meal. Ham sandwiches.

I had my first full hot meal in our new chow hall this morning. The potatoes were burned, the eggs were powdered, the pancakes were warm, and the syrup was cold and the jelly, green.

Evening chow was better.

Tonight was another drunk, stag party. Not as active as last week, but wild just the same.

Cease fire from 1800 tonight ‘till 0600 – 2 Jan ’68.

Some grunt walked by tonight and threw a hand grenade. No one was hurt, fortunately.