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*****

Dear Mom,

December 5th.

Well it's happened. I told you it would. We are being shipped out, tonight. No warning. No explanation. I don't even know exactly where we are going.

The phones are all so busy, with everyone trying to call home, that I didn't know if I would get a chance to call you, so that's why I'm writing you this letter, just in case.

PLEASE, get a hold of someone. Anyone. Get me out of this!

I don't want to fight anybody.

I honestly thought that this was just going to be a way for me to get into college. I want to come home Mom, Please. I could get work to pay for college.

I'll work two or even three jobs. I will save every penny. Anything it takes!!!

We are all being held to barracks, which means that now that orders are out, nobody can leave or even move about on base. It's been that way ever since graduation.

They are afraid that fear will make some of the guys go A.W.O.L. That means run away.

Right now I'm not so sure what I would do if I got the chance.

Got to go. Talk to someone Mom, quick!

I WANT TO COME HOME!!!

Signed,

Your Son

*****

Dearest Mom,

December 10th.

I haven't gotten a letter back from you yet. Have you been able to talk to anyone or find a way for me to be able to come back home? As you can see there is a new address to send your letters to me, be sure everyone gets it.

It's awful here! The air stinks from all the fires. These people live like animals. They are filthy, and we are supposed to help them but they would kill you just as soon as look at us.

And the bugs. I have never seen so many bugs. Everyone in the unit is covered with bites and rashes.

We have to walk around to make a 'show of force'. You don't even know who to trust, even the children here are potentially deadly.

Race tried to give a little girl, about Kallie's age, a soda the first day we were here. Before he knew what hit him, she had reached out with a chunk of metal and cut up his arm really bad. They all spit at us when we walk passed them but then they look at us like we're the animals.

Martin got hit by sniper fire and has been in the Med. Unit ever since. I guess it must be pretty serious. I don't know anymore about it yet. I wasn't with him when it happened.