Letters Home - Son to Mother
I'm writing a book about the Vietnam war (conflict). It's a fictional account of various soldiers serving in the army and marines during that conflict. In portions of the book I want to include portions of letters written from the soldiers to their loved ones back home. Background: These are soldiers serving in combat. They are living in grave danger, yet are attempting to reassure and be optimistic about the future.
This is one of three similar challenges,
Please include background if applicable at the end of the letter. Are you a veteran? Is this part of a real letter written home by you or others?
Winning entries will be included in the book with full credit for their work. I will select up to 20 winners.
I will invite selected winners to submit hand-written copies of their letters for inclusion in the print version of the book. We will negotiate a fee.
Dear, Mama, Febuary-14-71
I hope you is doing good and your cleaning company is still going good in Athens. All our insulting back and forth done wore me out. They comes a time when I need not to blame you for my personal life.
Of course your husband walked out on us all so long ago he is a faroff memory to me and I know he din’t leave you a blessed cent. I now intend to let alone all those words we had, you AND me, in the past. I still your firstborn so I will step up and do right by you. I know you sided with Yolanda when I left her. Since she lost the baby I devoted you as my beneficery if something bad happens to me. I know it won’t but just in case! Blood is thicker than water, Mama. You have extra mouths to feed with Broderick and little Patrice.
I know I got drafted so I din’t have no choice in this matter but I see how important I can be for our great country by killing the enemy the best I can. I am going to make a difference, Mama! Don’t doubt that for a second! I turned my life around. When I get back I hope to return to college. No, not hope. I PLAN to return to college and this time, I will not DROP the hard classes. I will get my degree.
Love, your son,
Dewayne Vernardo Battle, Jr.