Wednesday, September 11, 1968
We returned to serving three meals a day after the resupply from FLC. It was a relief to receive mail and get Jenny’s latest news. She was heading to Fresno (planning to register for the fall semester) and looking for an apartment. It had been an interesting summer for her, with friends and family keeping her busy. She was ready to settle into her own place and have a regular address for us to communicate.
I wrote Jenny a letter from my lawn chair as I watched the sun set. The typhoon temporarily put a hold on the war in Arizona territory. There was little action except for the occasional illumination flare.
A loud buzzing sound got my attention and “WACK,” something struck me in the head. It felt like getting hit with a softball. After a lot of commotion and yelling, Sumo, Reb and I managed to capture the giant bug that had flown into me. We used a metal cracker tin to hold it, with holes punched in the top so the bug wouldn’t die. This huge insect was 6 inches long and filled the bottom of the tin — we called it the “5 lb. bug.” Its prominent features were a hard dark shell with a “horn” on its beak.
We took it to Doc Driscoll who had an Audubon Society Natural Field Guide of different species in Asia. He claimed it was a “Rhinoceros Beetle” and quite harmless. The tin was stored outside, next to our shower, and we decided to share it with Hua (teenage Vietnamese boy)* who was more familiar with the local bugs.
* See previous blog, “Mama-San” January 18, 1968
My Vietnam Experience 