Encoded for the Veterans History Project, February 1, 2023.
All letters in the Larry O'Neal collection were digitized; selected letters and postcards have been transcribed.
Documents are transcribed with minimal changes to the original text in an effort to preserve original appearance, content, and idiosyncrasies of composition. Period language and terminology are also retained. Transcription is literal with regard to the writer's capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and visible corrections (i.e. crossed out words). Spelling errors are indicated with [sic]; however, recurring errors in spelling or grammar within a single document have been marked the first time and and not subsequently. Crossed out words are presented {in braces}. Any special emphasis (i.e. underlining) is presented *between asterisks*. When the writer spells out the word "and" it appears spelled out; when a symbol is used for "and" the editor used the ampersand. Alterations to the original text are consistent throughout and all editorial comments appear in [square brackets]: a single space is placed between sentences, nontextual symbols (circled page numbers, scribbles, etc.) have been changed to plain typographical characters when possible or omitted with a note, obvious slips of the pen have been silently corrected, and malformed letters are presented as the intended letter, based on spelling and context. All superscripts and underscored superscripts have been lowered to the regular line of text and are not underscored. Single word interlineations are indicated with a single caret (^) before the word; multiple word interlineations are presented ^surrounded by carets^.
6/13
Dear Patty,
I just received your letter and I had some free time and beings [sic.] that you're my favorite person, I'm going to write to you first. ^HA!^
You souned [sic.] as if you were really depressed in that letter so "what's wrong kid"? I'm interested, if you need someone to talk to or a shoulder to lean on, you know my address.
Guess what, I'm a teacher. All because I tuned a guy's guitar and played a couple of tunes. There was a sale on guitars last week and damned near everyone went out and bought one. Mostly the guys that didn't know how to play or they knew a couple of chords. Others, the ones who don't even know how to hold a pick, bought electric guitars. I wished you could here [sic.] the noise in the barracks. One guy, I knew back in the states, knew I could play and since then I've been the barracks teacher. Good God I can't stand it! Now I'm glad to come out here to the bunker where it [sic.] nice and quite [sic.] and most of all... NO GUITARS! ^Ha!^
Mary and Lil' Larry are doing fine in Oregon. She says the fishing is great up there. I don't know exactly where she's stay [sic.] but I'll give you her address and she can tell you more about
it than I can.
Mrs. Mary La Veda O'Neal
2971 Fairview [Rt.?]
Coquille, Oregon 97423
I know she would love to meet you and I bet you all would hit it off great. That would really be groovy!
Haven't heard from Mike or Tom for a long time now and I'm kind of worried. But I have faith I'm sure everything is all right [sic.].
I'm sure Tom hasn't been getting tired of you. He's got good taste in women. No offense intented [sic.], only compliment.
Well luv, must sign off and hit the [rack?] Gotta get some beauty sleep and believe me I need all I can get. I have to sneak up on the mirrors to shave. ^Ha!^ Keep your beautiful young ass out of trouble and write soon.
Love
Larry
P.S. I'm going to San Juan Puerto Rico in July on R+R. I'll send you some flicks.