Thurs. Oct 3 1974
My Dearest Susan, Tonia and Cameron,
I’m feeling a bit morose tonight – lonely, I guess. I miss you all so much and I wish so that I could be with you. I sat trying to watch a dumb movie (finally left) but I kept thinking about a quiet evening at home, playing cards with Tonia, reading to both the kids, playing guitar in the bathroom. It’s the first time it has really hit me but I guess I’ll get through it.
Rotation, (unofficially) starts 22 Nov but only picks up in December with most flights between Dec 1 and 15th. If I arrive home on the 16th, it will be like a re-run of last year.
I had lunch with a Turkish businessman on Tuesday...president of the Chamber of Commerce. We walked through the old part of the city and he gave me a small guided tour. We ate at a tiny little Kabab stand – the food was excellent and we talked for over 2 hours. Today I had lunch with a Greek family – one of the young girls working with the Red Cross has her husband prisoner in Kyrenia and we are trying to get him released, so she invited me and a Swiss Red Cross girl and her (the Swiss) husband to her parents house. It was very homey but delicious food. They don’t use a lot of spices here, and fresh lettuce and tomatoes are always part of any dish. I really like the food.
The job gets busier, rather than quieter. I honestly think the word has gotten out that we get results, and more and more people seem to show up on my doorstep. I spend 4 hours in the morning in my jeep driving all over the city organizing my escorts (4 permanent vehicles and crews under me now) and contacting people. The telephones here are terrible. Any calls to me are relayed from the Ops Center through my radio set. It’s kind of neat. Today I met Smitty on the Green Line and got a neat picture of him, my driver, a Turk and a Greek (military) in front of my jeep with a Turkish machine gun post directly behind.
Played badminton with L/Col Manuel on Tuesday...we beat Bruce Archibald and Al Mason 7 games to 1. Tonight we lost at baseball 17 to 9. We haven’t won a game yet.
I guess you are beginning to prepare for your jaunt East. I hope it goes OK. Don’t be afraid to use the Master charge, as we are “rich” again.
I love you all, very very much,
Kenn
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