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^.
[7/?/68]
Hi Patty,
How's everybody doing on your end of the line? Fine I hope.
Sorry I haven't written much but I've been pretty upset lately. I've been down at disbursing checking on my allotment to my wife and boy cause she ain't getting all the money she's suppose [sic.] to get. Plus I ain't been paid in a month cause they said they made a mistake on my pay record. They are all goofed up down there. When I get leave I'm going to drive half way cross-country with a buddy of mine and I'm going to stop in Kansas City, that's where my wife's check comes from, and chew somebody [sic.] ass out. Probably get locked up for it but I don't care.
But so much for all my problems, got any you want to discuss? ^Ha!^
Boy, have I been getting some letters from Karen lately! I'm starting to worry about her a little. I think she's getting serious about me and that ain't going to work out. I've been writting [sic.] to her pretty regular now and some of her letters are, pretty serious. She wants me to come over when I get to Calif. and stay at her place. WHAT CAN I DO? I really think alot [sic.] of her and I love her like a sister. But I admit I did help it along some I guess by saying in my letters but I love her but I figured that she knew I was kidding around like I always do. Once I told her if I wasn't married I'ld [sic.] even ask her to go steady ^Ha!^, I just knew I shouldn't have said that but again I figured she knew I was joking. Maybe she's joking too but she sure has me shook up.
But all and all she's a great girl, her and Ann both. Do you know what they sent me for my birthday? A big box of miniature toys inside small, plastic eggs, a bunch of balloons and a travelers clock. We all got a big kick out of it. We (me and the guys at the bunker) blew up the ballons [sic.] and hung them on the walls of the bunker.! Gave the bunker a little class. ^Ha!^
In closing I want to say I'm sorry for writing some letters to you, which I know, sounded vulgar or gave you the idea that I wanted to put the make on you. I hope you can forgive me because I don't know what would happen if our friendship was to end on account of things I say. I'm sort of dumb and I act before I think so please forgive me.
Well love I must turn myself away so I may get this in the mail to you. So again
until we meet again stay as beautiful as you are and everything will be just dandy. Adios!
Love
Larry