Small Town USA

  I was in Eva, Alabama the other day. I was startled when I pulled up to the gas pump of the local convenience store and a lady came out and asked, "Can I help you?"  I said, "Uhuh, we were going to get some gas." She replied, "Oh, we pump gas if we aren't busy in the store." I was in shock, as well as my Niece Gabrielle as she rounded the front of my truck with the money for gas.

  Later as we ordered our lunch at the local Wagon Wheel restaurant- a grilled chicken sandwich and a patty melt. I pondered small town America.

  They call it The Little Town With A Big Heart. I saw men sitting on the benches in front of that same convenience store with I was through there last. I wonder what they were talking about.

  They say that the heart of America is on Main Street USA and it's being lost to perfect instant subdivisions and shopping malls. That would be a shame. I don't think you will find many grey haired ladies pumping gas for you there.

  It's nice to have a pleasant shock now and then.

  America hasn't lost her heart as long as there are some Eva, Alabamas' that have a beat.

Love,
Cheryl

Dear Folks, I Have Never Spent A More Miserable Time Than In This Place, July 20, 1958, 38th Parallel South Korea, Love, Robert

Dear Folks,              20 July 58
  Here it is past one
week after I cam back
from R & R and I am
feeling mighty low.
  After this week I probably
will be the longest person
in this company, by that
I mean to be here longer,
but after that lookout
because I shall soon be
sailing. I hope a little
less than 9 weeks
before I leave Korea,
and I pray to God that
I don't go from Korea
to Lebanon. I think
that during all of my
life time I have never
spent a more miserable
time than in this place.
I believe that it is worst
now than during the
Korean War because
everybody takes advantage
of the Americans. I
agree whole heart-idly for
President Eke sending troops
to the Middle East because
I think that if we don't
start now everybody will
try to take everything we
have got. Maybe I am
wrong in saying this but
I don't think we should
bend over backwards anymore.
  Well pretty soon
I will be starting
for home but
don't quit writing
until I tell you so.
                Love, Robert

Dear Folks, As Clean As I Got In Japan It Took One Day To Get Dirty Again Over Here, July 14, 1958, 38th Parallel South Korea, Love, Robertl

Dear Folks,     14 July 58
  Well I am back in
this rotten hole. As
clean as I got in Japan
it took one day to
get dirty again over
here. It never did
sun shine in Japan
so I didn't get
in pictures which
made me disappointed.
I hated to ask for
the money but
was practically out
of money. I had a
couple of beers that
night but I didn't
call just for the money.
I was having a good
time. I spent every
last cent but I
don't regret. I didn't
get around to buying
the China but I will
at the end of the month.
  In Japan you can
spend money, but it's
not because you are
unwise, it's just
because you have
seven beautiful days
in which to crowd
a lot of living in. I
don't regret one
second that I spend
over there. You have
so much to see and
do that you forget
yourself. And In
seven days it's hard
to do everything because
I tell it is just a
blessing to leave this
unforsaken hole.
When you get back
over here it's like
hell. It's hot as hell
over here, they have
millions of mosquitoes
and flys. Oh well enough
of that.
  Well here I am
broke, 16 days to payday
32 days before I kiss
this place goodbye. Keep
writing and sending that
paper until that
day comes when you
will get that letter
saying send no more.
I am on the way
home. It's down the
block and around the
corner. Breaking off
now expecting to go
to the field early in
the morning.
       Love Wayfaring Son,
           Robert


 
                              

Dear Folks, The Time Is Getting Shorter, June 22, 1958, 38th Parallel, South Korea, Love, Robert

Dear Folks,                  22 June 58

  In one more week
and a couple of days that
will be all for June
then July and August is
it. The Dept of Army
came down with a
new tour of duty for
Korea, 13 months instead
of sixteen. But I rather
stay over here an extra
couple of months
here than in the States.
  Well I don't know
for sure but I think
I might be going to
Japan the 27th of this
month. If I do look
for a telephone call from
5 o'clock to 10 o'clock between
July 1 through July 3. I
have done took one
reel on my camera and
sent it off to be developed
and then to you. It is
Mostly where I live
and stay at, just experimenting.
I hope some parts turn
out fair at least. I hope
you can see it and write
me about it. I have another
reel about half finished.
It is all of the Demilitarized
zone scenes. I hope
the one does turn out good.
There is only one
thing I don't like about
going home is that boat
ride, they are pitiful.
I have about 55 days
left but I don't know
for sure. It's been
hot over here. I will
be glad when the
rainy season comes
the time is getting shorter.

      Love, Robert