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^.
July 19, 68'
Dear Patty
How's everyone doing? Fine I hope as for me I'm alive so I'm O.K.
I just got back from San Juan Monday and I have been recuperating since. We had a time in Puerto Rico.
San Juan is really a groovy place if you're a millionaire and even though my young ass is one of the low class people, we still had a great time.
We weren't supposed to go to the old part of S.J. but being that we were suppose [sic.] to go we went anyway. You know how that goes! ^HA!^ They were all kinds of mugger [sic.], pushers and whores there. It was a regular paradice [sic.] ^HA!^.
We went to this one club and saw four strip shows and then went next door to get us a shack job. You wouldn't believe that place. It's loaded with whores and they charge $15 for a quickie.
Patty I just read your letter and it is the nicest letter I have ever gotten from anyone. I want to thank you for saying the things you did in that letter. But if my other letters seem to have indicated that I wanted to go to bed with you I'm sorry because I didn't mean it that way. Even though it's a nice thought, that is all it is a thought. Age doesn't mean anything but if I was to make it with you that would, in a small way, make the things other people say true and I can't see me ruining your life on account of a desire. Like I said, it is a very nice thought. I hope I live long enough to make your dream come true in every way. True, I'm not very educated but I do know what I want for my family and I pray that I can give it to them someday. It will take a lot of hard work
There will be a lot of heartbreaks and let downs but no one can have all of that without some kind of let down. But so much for that, I have to sign off for now so be good and take care. Adios!
Love
Larry.
P.S. Thanks for the birthday card. I got it the same day as my birthday, Thurs.
HOWDY
LUV!