Letters Home
Randy Barnes
Dear Mom
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 28, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Randy Barnes worked (MOS) as a Combat Medic in an automatic weapons group that operated dusters and quad-50’s, assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. Randy died 12/2/2006. Before his wife died 1/11/2011 she asked that I deal with the items Randy sent home and saved from his tour in Vietnam. […]
Audio Letter #1
Posted by webadmingalleries on March 7, 2011, in the category Letters Home
This MPG file is nearly 50 MB, runs 60 minutes and takes my computer about 25 seconds to load it. Randy’s letters home (the ones I inherited) began in early November 1968, this audio was recorded before Christmas 1968, and his letters continued into August 1969. This recording is Randy […]
Audio Letter #2
Posted by webadmingalleries on March 7, 2011, in the category Letters Home
This audio tape is 10MB and runs 22 minutes in which Randy describes “Vietnam” for his family. It takes about 15 seconds to load on my computer. Randy recorded this before Christmas 1968, early in his tour of duty. You can listen to the audio letters as you continue to […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #1 – Nov. 3, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 20, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dearest Mom, HHB 5th Bn. AWSP 2nd ARTY APO San Francisco, CA 96266 This will be short-just to let, you know I’m here & safe. We arrived about 11:30 PM Wed. night. We spent Thurs & Fri processing in at the 90th Replacement (place where I was assigned from the […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #2 – Nov. 4, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 14, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Richard & Carla, MON NOV 4 I write to you as my K.C. spokesman. I trust you will pass on my correspondence to the entire “tribe”. I will, in the future attempt to write to everyone but as of now I am so damn busy that it is next […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #3 – Nov. 14, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 14, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, Just got your first letter today, the 14th. I was really happy to get a letter. About the Garry’s thing. I’ve told the Finance office I want to send $150 a month home. I haven’t received a check since I’ve been here even though they owe me a […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #4 – Nov. 14, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 14, 2011, in the category Letters Home
READ THE OTHER LETTER FIRST AS I MAILED IT TO THE WRONG PLACE & It Came back. NIXON SUCKS! Dear Tribe, 14 Nov Ya’all get two letters together since I gave the last one a K.C. street address and sent it to Topeka. The monsoon’s are just about over and […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #5 – Nov. 22,1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 14, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Bro and assorted “Goosers”, 16 Nov – Sat. I have now been in V.N. two weeks and 3 days. I like V.N. about as well as I’d like to have Syphills or Cancer. It’s hot, humid and it stinks. All the women have V.D. you can’t be on the […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #6 – Nov. 22, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 15, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, Howard, Val, Bill & Family, 22 Nov., Fri Nothing much new in V.N. Just thought I’d drop a line – let you know I’m okay. This place is a real drag. Can’t say much for the place I’m working or the guys I work with. One guy from […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #7 – Nov. 23, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 15, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom & Everyone, Sun, Nov 23 Got your letter (Tues. Nov 19) and thought I would dash off a quick note. First, don’t send the Bermudas – just tennis shoes, levis & sweat socks. I’ll answer the questions you asked. Yes we have English radio broadcasts. There is one […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #8 – Nov. 28,1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 15, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, 28 NOV 1968 Today is Thanksgiving. We’re going to have TURKEY, CRANBERRIE SAUCE, ROLLS, PUMPKIN PIE etc. Should be good! We were supposed to have the day off but due to the fact the V.C. went into a village close to here we had to get up about […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #9 – Nov. 29, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 15, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, Val, & Family 29 NOV, FRI Just a short note to let you know that I received my Xmas presents. I was so happy to get them. The candy was great and everyone here liked it too. I’m saving the cheese for myself only. I certainly appreciate the […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #10 – Nov. 30, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 15, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Bro and Goose People, Sat, 30 NOV. A big hi to ya’ from the cess pool of Southeast Asia. Hope this letter doesn’t pick up any of the odor that abounds in the air over here. A big hi to Goose. I certainly wish I was going to be […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #11 – Dec. 9, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 15, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, 5 Dec. Thur. I got your letter today The article was interesting. I had already read about it in “The Stars and Stripes” however, it wasn’t as complete as the clipping you sent. I want white levis because: 1. the are very durable and the washing that my […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #12 – Dec. 11, 1968
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 15, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, Howard, Val, Bill & Fam Wed, Dec 11 Just a note to let you know all is okay. It’s getting hotter & dustier – Dust everywhere – When it blows you can’t see. We now have dust goggles. War is close but far away – V.C. hit all […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #13 – Jan. 4,1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 15, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Solly & Tribe, 4 Jan, Sat. Finally made it. I’m at a field Battery in Cu Chi. This is the Base Camp for 25th Infantry and I now wear the 25th Patch. Can you believe it? Me attached to an Infantry unit – Love it – my own Battery […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #14 – Jan. 4 1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 16, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, 4 Jan. Sat I hope you were’t too worried due to my lack of writing. Sorry I haven’t written lately – just been lazy. Well I’ve moved out to the field battery but I’m not really in the field. I’m at the 25th Inf. base camp at Cu […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #15 – Jan. 6, 1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 16, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Richard, CARLA & GROUP, 6 Jan – Mon. I want to thank you & Carla, Rich, for my lamp. It’s just what I wanted. Perfect – One minor problem – The bulb (finally) was broken and they don’t have bulbs for Hi-Intensity lamps in V.N. I am now using […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #16 – Jan. 6, 1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 16, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, 6 Jan, Mon. I’ve now been at B Battery since Wed & I love it. I’ve been busy as hell since I got here. The Medic before me was a real Dud. He didn’t have any of the books in order, Some of the health hazards around here […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #17 – Jan. 13,1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 16, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, Howard, & Val MON – 13 Jan ’69 Just a note to let you all know I’m fine. I got the Tape Sat. Since I moved out to B BTRY my mail was delayed. Also got about 4 letters from you. The Tape was great. I got a […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #18 – Jan. 13, 1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 16, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Goose, Friends, & Fellow Goosers, MON – 13 Jan ’69 I received your tape of “Xmas in Rio” Saturday. I have moved out to a field Battery so was a week & a half without mail. The tape was a “Gas”. I got a six pack and went over […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #19 – Jan. 15, 1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 16, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, WED – 15 JAN 1969 Just a note to say I’m fine. I received your letter yesterday. I hope I signed the cards okay. Nothing much new. Some of our Dusters and Quad 50s got hit in an Ambush at Dau Tien Tieng. Guess one Quad was blown […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #20 – Jan. 27, 1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 16, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, Howard, & Val, 27 Jan – Mon Nothing much new here. Just thought I’d drop a line & let you know all is well. The weather seems to be getting hotter everyday and I guess it will until the rainy season gets here in March. Dad sent me […]
Randy Barnes – Letter #21 – Feb. 3, 1969
Posted by webadmingalleries on February 16, 2011, in the category Letters Home
Dear Mom, 2 FEB, 69 Just a note – will write a longer later tomorrow or next day. Again I don’t have enough money. Since I bought my camera, I’ve been taking films like mad & spend most of my dough on developing. Will send some good pictures in the […]