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Date: November 11th 1974
To
Susan, Tonia, and Cameron Doerksen - (wife & children)
From
Kenn Doerksen
Letter

Monday, 11 Nov.

Dearest Susan, Tonia and Cameron,

Happy Remembrance Day. By the time you get this, it will be less than 4 weeks until I get home. People begin leaving in a week, and time will probably go by even more quickly. I’m sorry you are stuck with Christmas preparations again, but don’t lose all your Xmas spirit...your last letter sounded a bit depressing. Thank you, at least, for the photos...they are real cute. Can that really be Cameron? He looks so big and Tonia looks more grown-up with every picture.

Yesterday, we played soccer against a British Unit which supplies the armoured cars which I employ on a regular basis for escort duties. I know most of them quite well. We lost a hard-fought game 2‑1. Then they enticed us over to their club where we drank (I don’t drink very much at all, these days) from 4:30 pm, until 9:30. Another officer and I finally escaped, walking about a mile in our sweat-suits to where we could hitch a ride home (5 miles). I took another elbow in the ribs, front this time, and my whole rib cage feels like it’s crushed (it’s not) I’ve been living on 282’s and relaxants for several days now...I’m just stupid, I guess.

Today, we had a Remembrance Day service outside the Ledra and then took the rest of the day off. I slept for several hours, watched a taped hockey game (Toronto 7 - N.Y. 3) and an excellent movie tonight called “Death Wish”. We showed “White Lightening” with Burt Reynolds on Saturday, which was also quite good.

I have been reading quite a bit recently. I finished “MILA 18” and “SERPICO” both of which were great, but couldn’t get beyond 100 pages of the “Implosion Conspiracy”...too much detail, I’m afraid. Obtained a copy of “Gulag Archipelago” but loaned it out and haven’t seen it since.

On Wednesday, we do our 10‑mile endurance walk, again; it’s to qualify up to next May, and will hopefully be the last time I ever have to do it. At least I am in real good shape (except for the aches and pains) and the weather is just right...Cool in the early morning and up to 75° during the day.

My suit and sports jacket will be ready this week. I’m quite pleased with them so far. I think you’ll like them too. Still a bit conservative, I’m afraid but I just couldn’t see me in some of the styles the tailor suggested. Oh well.

Be good, family, and stay cheerful...and don’t worry about other women, Sue...I love you and you only and I always will. I miss you all.

Love,
Kenn
XXXXX

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