I guess I was about 10 months into my 14 mo. stay when I got a chance to go on an in country R&R to eagle beach. So being the dedicated soldier that I was. I jumped on it with both boots.
When I got to the place it was like a dream come true. I never realized what a beautiful coastline that hellhole had. The sand on the beach was as white as any I had ever seen and the water was clear. There was a mess hall that served 12 hours a day, no special hours, just go and eat whenever you wanted. And a small PX.(post exchange) There was a live show every evening. And a big old beer hall. Hell, they even gave you a real bunk with a pillow and sheets, and hot showers that weren't outside. Something that none of us had seen in a long time. No fire missions, guard duty, or shit details. It was 3 days of rest? Well maby. Fun? YES. One nonstop 3 day party. There was even a massage parlor. When I went to get a massage I was under the impression that all Vietnamise woman were petite little things. Well, I was sadly mistaken, I got a massage from a woman that had to weigh close to 200 lbs. And when she did the walk on your back thing, there wasn't any doubt in my mind that she was there. Live and learn they say. Boy did I learn the hard way that there are large Vietnamise woman. Very large indeed.
I had such a good time that I only made it to my bunk once, I think. Mostly I woke up on the beach,with sand in the damdest places. I even bought a radio/cassett player while I was there. Now you have to remember that this was state of the art at the time. I paid 52 bucks for it. You could even record from the radio without a patch cord or a micraphone. When I got home I bartered it into a pontiac lemans convertable. But that's another story.
All good things eventually must end. And it ended all too soon to suit me. But this was the best time that I think I ever had while I was in country. It is also one of the few things that I hope Not to forget.
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