Journal Entry 14

In "the things they carry" what the soldiers decide to carry with them says a lot about who they are and what they hold to be important in their personal lives, because in such a hectic life of a soldier you can only afford to carry around so much without being overburdened. You have to choose well what you will take because it will be all you have while you are on a tour of duty. Personally, I think this would be a very hard decision, I don't really know what I could take that really means that much to me. I think I would be similar to Jimmy Cross in that I would hold letters from home to be of high importance. Maybe not necessarily holding them to pretend there is a relationship or love, but from family, friends, or just loved ones who cared enough about me to write a letter. Letters are perfect I think, they are light, easy to carry, they can fit in any pocket or crevice, and they have a very personal message to you that can be a love letter, maybe news from the outside world, or just what is happening in my absence. Another thing that i would like to have although i dont really know how you could get it in a time of war, but i would like a newspaper every now and then to get news of politics and stories of what is happening in other areas of the world. Now, my first though of what to take would be a book or books, but they thing is if I am in Vietnam, it is almost always going to be raining, and some books are rather large, especially when you are living in a situation where every ounce matters. Im trying to think of which book i would take if I only could take one, and the only one that really pops out as my favorite is the Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. It has been my favorite book since I was in elementary school. I've read it many times and it continues to be exciting. I would also be similar to Dave Jensen in that I would carry extra hygiene materials such as soap and a toothbrush and etc. I have to have my hygiene, without it I cant really function. So thats what I would take, i would like a steady stream of imformation from a newspaper or something, my favorite book, and cleaning supplies like soap, toothpaste, and and a toothbrush.