Left: Christmas card sent home by Rod Dilcher
to his friend Paul Molin at Christmas 1967.

The card is hand decorated on an unfolded
and cut C-ration box and signed by Rod.

Paul writes:

"I was cleaning out the garage at my Mom’s house
and came across a folder with a few letters
addressed to me. Some were from Rod Dilcher,
sent while he was in Viet Nam.

Among the letters, which many included teasing me
about being a draft dodger, was a Christmas card
sent for Christmas 1967. The fact that the card
was hand made, probably while in the field
was especially touching.

Of course it might also be that it reminded me
that 4 months later, 18 April 1968, I was at
Fort Knox starting basic training.

I am now retired from civilian federal service
but am still working part time for Dept. of Defense.
I have told the story about the Christmas card to
vets who have come before and after me and they,
as well as I, seem to think that the card personifies
the humanity of soldiers and should be shared."

Thanks to Paul Molin for the photo
of Rod's Christmas card and the
touching story above.