Dear Barbara,

Hi Barb, I realize you don’t know who I am – but I would like you to know. My name is Paul Abbarno and I am now serving with the Marine Corps in Viet Nam.

While looking though the last issue of the Marine’s “Sea Tiger” – I noticed your name and thought maybe I’d like to get to know you. I’m 19 years old and will be 20 in 5 months.

I played basketball and baseball in high school. I attended Bishop Fallon High in Buffalo New York which is where I am from and graduated in 1967. I have a half a year of college before I was drafted by the Army – but then joined the Marine Corps for 2 years. When I get out of the Corps I plan to go back to school.

So, how are things in Cicero?

I’ve been in Chicago a few times but never to Cicero. A buddy of mine wrote to a girl named Bernadette Miller and I was wondering if you two are girlfriends or not – being that you live on the same street.

I was wondering if in your return letter you could send me a picture of yourself. I will in turn, send you a picture of me in my next letter.

I would like to thank you for myself and also for the many other Marines in Viet Nam, for we appreciate that the women back home care and recognize the reason for us being here. I hope you will answer this letter for I meant what I said about wanting to get to know you.

I’ll be waiting to hear from you –

Love,
Paul

Dear Barb,

Hi! I received your letter today and I’m sorry to say – but I have more questions for you. First of all, how did you get your name in “Sea Tiger”? Secondly, how many men have written you via “Sea Tiger”?

I really don’t know what to say because I don’t know you that well yet. I don’t think I told you how tall I was, so I guess I could tell you that. I’m 5’11” and weigh about 175 pounds.

According to your letter, you sound like a very interesting person to be with. You like sports which would probably make it easy for me to discuss sports with you.

I could tell you what’s been going on in the DaNang area, but I prefer not to discuss this place with anyone unless its necessary or I’m asked a question about it.

I hope you don’t mind me enclosing this application – but I would like you to answer it seriously – please?

I don’t have a picture of myself yet – but I’ll send one next time. Bye now
Paul

22/Oct/68

Dear Barb,

Hi, have you cut yourself lately? I’m glad you answered the question, are, for a while there I thought you weren’t going to answer my letter.

The reason I picked your name out of “Sea Tiger” is because I like the name Barbara, but never knew a girl with that name.

In answer to your other question – my birthday is Feb. 5th.

Monsoon season has started here now and we don’t get too many breaks in the weather.

I think telling you my M.O.S. would be in order here – I am a combat engineer or better known in the Army as a demolition specialist. We also do construction work now & then. Right now myself and 10 other guys are building bunkers for a tank and Amtrac battalion. We go out on operations with the grunts (infantrymen) quite a bit and that’s where our demolition job comes in.

I’ll close for now because I don’t like to talk about what goes on when we’re on operations unless I’m asked about it.

Bye for now
Paul