"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."
Major Michael O'Donnell, Jan. 1, 1970, Dak To, Vietnam. O'Donnell, a helicopter pilot, was killed in action March 24, 1970, during a rescue attempt.

One of the most precious commodities in Vietnam was mail from home. Writing back was not always easy, and most of the time much had to be left out, so friends and family would not worry.