I began to write.   Steve Jasko and Steve Belcher at the former site of the 615th MP Co. headquarters at Long Binh, Vietnam. Photo taken on March 27th, 2012.
Thanks to Robert Kolling and the Woodbridge VFW for including Letters From Long Binh on their site. Vietnam. The show starts at 5 PM EST. Check it out at the link below. http://toginet.com/ LETTERS FROM LONG BINH is now available in book form for $10.79 and the Kindle for $2.99 on AMAZON.COM. http://www.amazon.com/Letters-Long-Binh-Military-Policeman/dp/1466426993/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323209801&sr=1-1 Two letters from the book are now available for preview. Click on the title to read the story. REVIEWS AND COMMENTS This review is from: Letters From Long Binh: Memoirs of a Military Policeman in Vietnam (Kindle Edition)This book is a must read for anyone who wants to know what the Vietnam war was like from the point of view of a military policeman. Written in a poignant and sometimes humorous way, the letters tell of how men cope, during the long days of danger, in foreign war torn lands. The experiences of the MP in this novel are the same of many young men (and women) a long way from home and in a dangerous place. I am thankful that men like this author volunteered to fight for his friends and his country. And I am happy that he wrote about his experiences in such a meaningful way. Pick up this book and read about brave men who, despite their flaws, never wavered in their convictions. This is a great book V.N. Vet - Posted on Amazon UK, May 10, 2012 I just finished reading LETTERS FROM LONG BINH by Randy Mixter, and found it to be another one of his excellent writings. Randy’s talent recaps his tour of duty as a Military Policeman in Vietnam in the form of letters to his then girlfriend Roni, later to become his wife. Though the letters are modified for a more readable story, they are the truthful insights of a 20-year old soldier in a bizarre and explosive country. It is very informative and brought back many memories I had long forgotten. Randy takes you with him on his foot patrols through a city base-camp, the alleys and dark streets where danger larks in every shadow. You ride on the machine-gun jeep “Rat Patrols,” escorting convoys along perilous highways. Randy conveys quite clearly that no place is safe in Vietnam. I highly recommend this well written book to everyone and gladly give it a Five-Star rating. Ted Pannell - author of Vietnam Stories - Dreams to Nightmares John Schembra - author of M.P. A Novel Of Vietnam At the beginning of 1967, Randy Mixter found himself stationed at Long Binh, South Vietnam as an MP. Over the course of the next year, Randy penned numerous letters to his girlfriend Roni of his life and experience as an MP as America's involvement in the Vietnam War escalated. Fortunately for us, those letters survived the ravages of time and provide us with a unique window on those early days of the conflict. Unlike some memoirs which draw upon someone's memories of the war, Mixter's letters to his girlfriend give us this sense of immediacy to the war. We are right there with Mixter when he goes out on a town patrol in rowdy raucous Bien Hoa or on highway patrol and because these are letters, there is also this personal side to them which oftentimes gives the reader this feeling that he is talking to us directly. Describing his daily and in many instances nightly routines as an MP, Mixter offers insights into the conflict from a rear echelon point of view, as well as the conflict in general. To be sure, in his letters he has time to reflect upon the war: "A ride into Saigon is normally cause for celebration, but not this time. Visiting any hospital in Vietnam, no matter the reason, is always a solemn affair. I have been to the 93rd Evac in Long Binh several times delivering future patients or visiting friends. Each time I go there I am reminded of the pain and suffering always near and always threatening in this war torn country." (p. 107). We might not see the war in the jungles or the hills, but we do see another side of the war, which at times is just as frightening and overwhelming. Things get intense on highway patrols and convoy runs which remind readers that in the Vietnam War, the fighting and guerilla warfare tactics were all around the men. This book is gritty and intense. I highly recommend it. Jeffrey Miller - Author of War Remains and Waking Up In The Land Of Calm Letters from Long Binh gives the reader an honest appraisal of the everyday life of an MP in Vietnam. Sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous, but always gripping, the book is written with a deep sense of respect for his fellow brothers-in-arms in a war-torn country. Lou Fantauzzi - Vietnam, 1966-67 This is a great story of a soldier's time in Vietnam from a non-combat point of view. The author,Randy Mixter was a member of the military police. He sent letters home to his girlfriend (now wife) which he turned into this cleverly crafted volume. I found his stories to be very interesting as they were coming from the Military Police perspective. I was an infantryman in Vietnam and experienced the action in a different way. Adventures such as finding a naked soldier with a prostitute take on added interest when the naked soldier puts on his uniform and is found to be a colonel! This memoir is stocked with stories that run the gamut of heartwarming to funny to sad. This volume should be on the shelf of everyone who has an interest in the Vietnam War. Richard Alan Wow, this was an amazing book. It brought so many emotions to the forefront. A book that can make me cry is usually a book that will make me read it twice. I felt like I was sitting there with the soldier as he poured his heart out. I have so many family members that went to war and this book was an excellent book to really let you know how a soldier is feeling. I can't believe Randy Mixter shared this very personal information with us but I'm pleased that he did. You will be missing out if you skip this book. 5 star Amazon posted review - February 25, 2012 Just another book about Vietnam? Wait; don’t dismiss this memoir out of hand. Every experience is different and every soldier has both a shared and a unique vision of that experience and Randy Mixter tells an honest and humorous story of his time in Vietnam in Letters From Long Binh. Memories change over the years for most, for soldiers they are forever part of their life. So many stories of those so young can start saying “I boarded the plane.” If thoughts or ideas existed about easy and heroes they ended with wheels down. In sharing his memories through the letters of that time in his life Mixter has opened the door into his and many Veterans lives. From the mundane day to day to the absolutely frightening he shares it all. Adding humor into the telling makes it easier for Veterans to read. History buffs and those that simply do not understand what it is like to serve in country need to read this. It will definitely open their eyes. One phrase keeps banging around in my head, remembering how many times I have heard it, reminded after all these years by Letters From Long Binh “You’ll be fine.” The Military Writers Society of America Once I started (Letters From Long Binh) I could not put it down. I was one of those that took over Bien Hoa when you made the switch and finally was transferred to 615. I felt I was living that year over again. Great read. Al Bradley Finished the book while on a ski trip to Utah last week. Quite enjoyable and you hit many things that brought back quite a few memories and then some. Arnie Daxe - CO, 615 MP Co - Aug 1967-Feb 1968 As I am a fan of Randy Mixter's last two books, "The Boys of Northwood", and "Sarah of the Moon", I was anxiously awaiting his next one. Now, I do not usually read books about wars but because I so enjoy Mixter's writing style I decided to give this one a try. I was not sure what to expect but I need not have worried. This book does not disappoint if you want humor, honesty and truth about a soldier's days in Vietnam as a military policeman. Mixter's latest treasure is filled with detailed descriptions of his "mis"adventures in a war-torn country where no one wanted to be on a good day let alone during a war. It is an easy read and I highly recommend it anyone, guys or gals. Write on Randy! Joan Gunby Although this is a book about Randy's service in Vietnam, anyone who served their country during the Vietnam era will find much in common with the stories he has written. Highly recommended! Steve Mixter Terrific book! Literally could not put it down. I read it in about 45 minutes. Absolutely loved it. A great story consisting of a number of discrete incidents that occurred to Randy Mixter as he went about his duties, very well written and told with a storyteller's heart. A terrific read for any Vietnam veteran especially, as well as as a good book for anyone who needs an idea of what life was like for an average the Military Policeman. Dennis Mansker - Author of A Bad Attitude I just finished reading the new book by Randy Mixter "Letters from Long Binh" Memoirs of a Military Policeman in Vietnam His new book reads like a journal of his day to day life as a MP in Vietnam as told to his girl friend in his letters that he wrote to her almost every day while he was there. His book brings back a lot of memories for this old soul from the times I spent in some of the same places as Randy was. Once I started reading I could not put it down until I finished reading it.This book tells the story of the duties that he had to preform while there and the things he seen and done along with some of the close calls that he had. I highly recommend this book to anyone who served in Vietnam or anyone interested in the stories about Vietnam as told by the ones that were there. Check it out today, you wont be disappointed. Steve Weathers - The Weathers Book Blog The MP History Unit at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri has requested a copy of Letter From Long Binh for their research archives. Thanks to Tom Watson of the 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association and History Project for setting this up. Click on A BOOK PREVIEW in the upper left hand corner to read the first 10 pages of the book.   |