"My Dearest son, it's almost June.I hope this letter catches up with you and finds you well
It's been dry,but they're callin' for rain and everything's the same old same in Johnsonville,your stubborn old daddy ain't said too much,but I'm sure you know he sends his love."
And she goes on, in a letter from home.I hold it up and show my buddies,like we ain't scared and our boots ain't muddy and they all laugh like there's something funny 'bout the way I talk, when I say,"Mamma sends her best, y'all"
I fold it up and put it in my shirt.Pick up my gun and get back to work.
"My dearest love, it's almost dawn.I've been lyin' here all night long wonderin' where you might be.I saw your mamma
and I showed her the ring.Man on the television said something so I couldn't sleep.But I'll be alright,I'm just missin' you and this is me kissin' you X's and O's."
I hold it up and show my buddies and they all laugh 'Cause she calls me honey,but they take it hard 'Cause I don't read the good parts.
I fold it up and put it in my shirt.Pick up my gun and get back to work and it keeps me drivin' on waitin' on letters from home.
"Dear son, I know I ain't written,I'm Sittin' here tonight alone in the kitchen it occurs to me,I might not have said it
So I'll say it now.Son, You make me proud."
I hold it up and show my buddies.But no one laughs.'Cause there's ain't nothin' funny when a soldier cries.
I just wipe my eyes.I fold it up and put it in my shirt.Pick up my gun and get back to work and it keeps me drivin' on waitin' on letters from home.
--- Tony Mac Lane
(75th Army Rangers "L" Company 101st Airborne Division.)
