Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong
by Bella Guynes
March 17, 1967
I received a letter from Mark today, all the way from Vietnam. I expected the usual; how much he loved me, how much he missed me, and how much he wished we could be together again in our small town in Ohio like old times. Well, I was mistaken. Mark had a whole plan about coming to Vietnam and staying with him. Can you believe it? Me, in Vietnam? I will admit, as far fetched as the idea may seem, it would be quite the adventure. I actually want to go and get away from this town and my parents. I’ve been stuck here my whole life. Besides, I miss Mark awfully bad and would love to see him, even if it has to be in Vietnam. I believe I’m going to go.
May 6, 1967
It’s been around six weeks since my last entry. I’m leaving for Vietnam in the morning. Mark made several flights available for me, and it was crazy expensive. I’m really excited to see Mark and Vietnam, but a tad frightened as well. I will not have any restaurants to go to, cars to drive, my warm bed, and even I’ll have to leave my house for the first time. It’s going to be really dirty there according to Mark. It’s nothing like Cleveland Heights. I’m going to have to be careful, too! Mark said there could even be attacks at the base.
May 7, 1967
Today is the day I will see my amazing boyfriend again. Mark Fossie and I have been sweethearts since grammar school. I have known since sixth grade that someday we’d be married and live in a gingerbread house near Lake Erie, and have three beautiful, yellow haired children, and grow old together, and no doubt die in each other’s arms, and be buried in the same walnut casket. I’d do anything for Mark, even cross the globe for him during a war. So far I’ve hopped a C-130 up to Chu Lai, and I’m staying overnight at the USO. Then, in the morning I should be able to hook a ride west in the resupply chopper.
May 8, 1967
I decided to wear my white culottes and a pink sweater. It was always Mark’s favorite. I’m still a little bit nervous about staying here, but I have a feeling I am going to like it. I got lucky and hitched a ride with the resupply chopper. When we landed, it felt like I had left Ohio and entered another world. I instantly loved Vietnam. The huge, mysterious, green mountains and all of the soldiers walking around was a little nerve racking, but I didn’t let it show. It was so good to see Mark. I’d forgotten how much I actually missed him.
May 22, 1967
It’s been around two weeks since I arrived in Vietnam. I’ve had a swell time playing volleyball, swimming, holding hands and spending time with Mark, and learning all sorts of things. I usually roam around the compound asking questions about all their different gadgets. All of the men here are so nice, I guess they just like having a girl around. The other day I spent some time with the ARVNs along the perimeter, and I picked up little phrases of Vietnamese. I learned how to cook rice over a can of Sterno, and how to eat with my hands. The guys tease me about it. They’ll call me their own little native. I just figured that since I’m here I might as well learn something. There’s something about the war that is so intriguing. After weeks of pestering, I finally got Mark to take me into the village. They tried to scare me off by talking bad about the natives, but how bad could they be? They’re human beings just like us. So this morning the medics tagged along with us as security into the village. I loved the thatched roofs and all the little naked children running around. It was all so quaint! I love the simplicity of village life, it makes me feel more complete. On the way back, we stopped for a swim in the Song Tra Bong. Mark tried to warn me about all these guns and snipers and such, but I was really hot and just wanted to swim.
March 2, 1967
One medic named Rat is always telling me how good of a mind I really have. Lately, a lot of casualties have been coming in, so I asked to help. It’s actually quite fascinating, and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. There’s just this buzz that comes with the job, a quick, hot rush in your veins when the choppers settled down and you have to do things fast and right. I just stick my hands in and start plugging holes. Sounds pretty gross but I really don’t notice. I learned how to “clip an artery, pump and plastic splint, and shoot in morphine.” (O’Brien)
March 8, 1967
Eddie diamond taught me how to disassemble an M-16 today. He taught me how all the parts worked and eventually I’ll learn how to use it. I’ve stopped wearing all my jewelry and nice clothes. No, I prefer short hair and bandannas. It just feels right this way. I feel older, too. Being here has opened my eyes to a new way of life, and it’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. Mark has suggested it might be time for me to head back home, but I told him to forget it because everything I want is right here. I could tell it makes him uncomfortable with how much I adapted to Vietnam, it might even scare him. He doesn’t like my new way of thinking either. I still want to get married, but I want to wait a while and travel the world first. I don’t even know if I still want kids. I think a lot at night by the campfire. The men usually play cards, but I prefer to sit in silence and think about my future and what’s beyond those mountains. I feel as if Vietnam is calling me, and I’ve never been happier in my whole life. Mark is concerned for me, but I really wish he wouldn’t worry. I’ve been talking a lot with the greenies lately. I seem to really fit in with them. Actually, I don’t know why everyone is so weirded out by them. I really want to go on a mission with them someday.
March 11, 1967
Mark and I just had a huge argument. I had been out all night with the greenies on a mission and was tired as a dog. I came through the wire after sunrise and saw Mark. He seemed really worried. I gave him a hug because I knew he was mad, but I was too tired to argue. He yelled that he wanted to talk “now,” so we did. We came to the compromise that we would get married as soon as he came home from the war. I had to stop hanging with the greenies and wear my normal clothes again. I’m not happy about it ,of course, but I love Mark and owe it to him.
March 14, 1967
The last few days have been tense. Everything seems so forced now since the fight. Even though we are acting like everything’s fine, I know it’s not. We’re both being too polite and too thoughtful, it’s weird. Mark has even begun making plans for me to leave.
March 16, 1967
After much thought, I have decided I will not leave Vietnam.
April 5, 1967
My first night back in camp since I decided to stay is cold and steamy. The jungle feels so magical at night, I feel like it’s alive. I feel like I’m a part of Vietnam now. I didn’t stop at Mark’s bunker, I just don’t see the importance. I love nights when there’s fog on the mountains. I decided to try and sing the way I felt. I was interrupted by Mark and Rat. Mark looked horrible, as if he hadn’t slept in weeks. I could tell he was in shock, I would be too if I saw my girlfriend with a human tongue necklace around her neck. Even so, he was in a place he didn’t belong. “They all hide in this little fortress behind all of the sandbags, and they don’t know, sometimes I want to eat this place. The whole country, the dirt, the death, I just want to swallow it and have it there inside me. That’s how I feel. It’s like this appetite. I get scared sometimes, lots of times, but it’s not bad. I feel close to myself. When I’m out there at night, I feel close to my own body, I can feel my blood moving and my skin and fingernails, everything, it’s like I’m full of electricity and I’m glowing in the dark. I’m on fire almost, I’m burning away into nothing, but it doesn’t matter because I know exactly who I am. You can’t feel that anywhere else.” (O’Brien) And that Mark, is why I must leave you. I’m not the same innocent, bubbly, blonde girl fresh out of Cleveland Heights. I have changed into something much more. I will always love you Mark, but I don’t belong with you or Cleveland Heights anymore. I belong to Vietnam. Vietnam is in me, there is no changing that.
Farewell Mark,
-Mary Anne
October 9, 2019
Inspired by: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
I retold the chapter called “Sweetheart of La Song Tra Bong” from the point of view of the character, Mary Anne. I wanted to add a female’s voice to the novel.
by Bella Guynes
March 17, 1967
I received a letter from Mark today, all the way from Vietnam. I expected the usual; how much he loved me, how much he missed me, and how much he wished we could be together again in our small town in Ohio like old times. Well, I was mistaken. Mark had a whole plan about coming to Vietnam and staying with him. Can you believe it? Me, in Vietnam? I will admit, as far fetched as the idea may seem, it would be quite the adventure. I actually want to go and get away from this town and my parents. I’ve been stuck here my whole life. Besides, I miss Mark awfully bad and would love to see him, even if it has to be in Vietnam. I believe I’m going to go.
May 6, 1967
It’s been around six weeks since my last entry. I’m leaving for Vietnam in the morning. Mark made several flights available for me, and it was crazy expensive. I’m really excited to see Mark and Vietnam, but a tad frightened as well. I will not have any restaurants to go to, cars to drive, my warm bed, and even I’ll have to leave my house for the first time. It’s going to be really dirty there according to Mark. It’s nothing like Cleveland Heights. I’m going to have to be careful, too! Mark said there could even be attacks at the base.
May 7, 1967
Today is the day I will see my amazing boyfriend again. Mark Fossie and I have been sweethearts since grammar school. I have known since sixth grade that someday we’d be married and live in a gingerbread house near Lake Erie, and have three beautiful, yellow haired children, and grow old together, and no doubt die in each other’s arms, and be buried in the same walnut casket. I’d do anything for Mark, even cross the globe for him during a war. So far I’ve hopped a C-130 up to Chu Lai, and I’m staying overnight at the USO. Then, in the morning I should be able to hook a ride west in the resupply chopper.
May 8, 1967
I decided to wear my white culottes and a pink sweater. It was always Mark’s favorite. I’m still a little bit nervous about staying here, but I have a feeling I am going to like it. I got lucky and hitched a ride with the resupply chopper. When we landed, it felt like I had left Ohio and entered another world. I instantly loved Vietnam. The huge, mysterious, green mountains and all of the soldiers walking around was a little nerve racking, but I didn’t let it show. It was so good to see Mark. I’d forgotten how much I actually missed him.
May 22, 1967
It’s been around two weeks since I arrived in Vietnam. I’ve had a swell time playing volleyball, swimming, holding hands and spending time with Mark, and learning all sorts of things. I usually roam around the compound asking questions about all their different gadgets. All of the men here are so nice, I guess they just like having a girl around. The other day I spent some time with the ARVNs along the perimeter, and I picked up little phrases of Vietnamese. I learned how to cook rice over a can of Sterno, and how to eat with my hands. The guys tease me about it. They’ll call me their own little native. I just figured that since I’m here I might as well learn something. There’s something about the war that is so intriguing. After weeks of pestering, I finally got Mark to take me into the village. They tried to scare me off by talking bad about the natives, but how bad could they be? They’re human beings just like us. So this morning the medics tagged along with us as security into the village. I loved the thatched roofs and all the little naked children running around. It was all so quaint! I love the simplicity of village life, it makes me feel more complete. On the way back, we stopped for a swim in the Song Tra Bong. Mark tried to warn me about all these guns and snipers and such, but I was really hot and just wanted to swim.
March 2, 1967
One medic named Rat is always telling me how good of a mind I really have. Lately, a lot of casualties have been coming in, so I asked to help. It’s actually quite fascinating, and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. There’s just this buzz that comes with the job, a quick, hot rush in your veins when the choppers settled down and you have to do things fast and right. I just stick my hands in and start plugging holes. Sounds pretty gross but I really don’t notice. I learned how to “clip an artery, pump and plastic splint, and shoot in morphine.” (O’Brien)
March 8, 1967
Eddie diamond taught me how to disassemble an M-16 today. He taught me how all the parts worked and eventually I’ll learn how to use it. I’ve stopped wearing all my jewelry and nice clothes. No, I prefer short hair and bandannas. It just feels right this way. I feel older, too. Being here has opened my eyes to a new way of life, and it’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. Mark has suggested it might be time for me to head back home, but I told him to forget it because everything I want is right here. I could tell it makes him uncomfortable with how much I adapted to Vietnam, it might even scare him. He doesn’t like my new way of thinking either. I still want to get married, but I want to wait a while and travel the world first. I don’t even know if I still want kids. I think a lot at night by the campfire. The men usually play cards, but I prefer to sit in silence and think about my future and what’s beyond those mountains. I feel as if Vietnam is calling me, and I’ve never been happier in my whole life. Mark is concerned for me, but I really wish he wouldn’t worry. I’ve been talking a lot with the greenies lately. I seem to really fit in with them. Actually, I don’t know why everyone is so weirded out by them. I really want to go on a mission with them someday.
March 11, 1967
Mark and I just had a huge argument. I had been out all night with the greenies on a mission and was tired as a dog. I came through the wire after sunrise and saw Mark. He seemed really worried. I gave him a hug because I knew he was mad, but I was too tired to argue. He yelled that he wanted to talk “now,” so we did. We came to the compromise that we would get married as soon as he came home from the war. I had to stop hanging with the greenies and wear my normal clothes again. I’m not happy about it ,of course, but I love Mark and owe it to him.
March 14, 1967
The last few days have been tense. Everything seems so forced now since the fight. Even though we are acting like everything’s fine, I know it’s not. We’re both being too polite and too thoughtful, it’s weird. Mark has even begun making plans for me to leave.
March 16, 1967
After much thought, I have decided I will not leave Vietnam.
April 5, 1967
My first night back in camp since I decided to stay is cold and steamy. The jungle feels so magical at night, I feel like it’s alive. I feel like I’m a part of Vietnam now. I didn’t stop at Mark’s bunker, I just don’t see the importance. I love nights when there’s fog on the mountains. I decided to try and sing the way I felt. I was interrupted by Mark and Rat. Mark looked horrible, as if he hadn’t slept in weeks. I could tell he was in shock, I would be too if I saw my girlfriend with a human tongue necklace around her neck. Even so, he was in a place he didn’t belong. “They all hide in this little fortress behind all of the sandbags, and they don’t know, sometimes I want to eat this place. The whole country, the dirt, the death, I just want to swallow it and have it there inside me. That’s how I feel. It’s like this appetite. I get scared sometimes, lots of times, but it’s not bad. I feel close to myself. When I’m out there at night, I feel close to my own body, I can feel my blood moving and my skin and fingernails, everything, it’s like I’m full of electricity and I’m glowing in the dark. I’m on fire almost, I’m burning away into nothing, but it doesn’t matter because I know exactly who I am. You can’t feel that anywhere else.” (O’Brien) And that Mark, is why I must leave you. I’m not the same innocent, bubbly, blonde girl fresh out of Cleveland Heights. I have changed into something much more. I will always love you Mark, but I don’t belong with you or Cleveland Heights anymore. I belong to Vietnam. Vietnam is in me, there is no changing that.
Farewell Mark,
-Mary Anne
October 9, 2019
Inspired by: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
I retold the chapter called “Sweetheart of La Song Tra Bong” from the point of view of the character, Mary Anne. I wanted to add a female’s voice to the novel.