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Dear Radar: I want to thank you again for helping me to get better. I’m just a dog, but I don’t know what I would have done without your kindness and compassion. My owner, Sgt. Hodkey says to thank you, too. I probably won’t see you again, But I’ll never
forget you or the other nice people at the 4077. Even that mean man who said he wouldn’t operate on a dog. I thought about biting him, but I’m glad that I didn’t. Dogs who bite don’t end up with very good reputations, even after they save someone’s life by
stepping onto a landmine. Your Friend, Corporal Cupcake.
Radar wanted to cry. He’d never received such a wonderful letter before and he could hardly concentrate on delivering the rest of the mail. When his bag was almost empty, he burst into the Swamp, ignoring the stares of Hawkeye, BJ and Frank.
“Hey guys! Guess what I got!” Radar shouted, holding the letter in the air.
“I know what you’re going to get if you don’t tell us what you’re doing in here! And then you can get out!” Frank shouted.
“Shut up, Frank!” Hawkeye snapped. “What is it, Radar? Good news?” BJ asked. “I’m sorry I burst in here. I’m just so excited!” Radar beamed.
“Ah, a letter from Ottumwa, Iowa! That would make anyone’s day!” Hawkeye said.
Disgusted, Frank rose to his feet and put on his hat. “I don’t have to listen to any more of this dribble!”
“That makes two of us.” BJ said. “Thanks, Frank.”
“Oh, nertz to you!” Frank shot back.
“What’s got you so excited, Radar?”
Radar beamed at Hawkeye. “Oh, first, here’s your mail. There are a few for you and some for you, BJ.”
BJ eagerly took the letter that smelled like crayon and Radar knew it was from Erin. Those were BJ’s favorite kind of letters. “Thanks, Radar. I’ll read them later. First I want to know what’s so exciting!”
“The suspense is killing us!” Hawkeye said.
“I got a letter from Corporal Cupcake!” Radar announced.
BJ and Hawkeye exchanged confused glances. “Say that again?” Hawkeye said.
“Yeah, I’m afraid we don’t follow.” BJ said.
“Guys! Corporal Cupcake!” Radar beamed. “Don’t you remember?”
“Refresh my memory.” Hawkeye said.
“Corporal Cupcake!” Radar repeated. “The dog that stepped on the landmine and saved his owner.”
“Yeah… Look, Radar, maybe we ought to call Sidney Freeman to come and chat with you a bit.”
“Hey, I’m not crazy! Just because you don’t remember Corporal Cupcake doesn’t mean that I don’t!”
“Radar, are you talking about the dog that came in by chopper with the hurt paw?”
“Yes, Hawkeye, yes! Oh I’m so glad you remember!”
“Well, of course we do. I hate to tell you this, Radar, but dogs can’t write.”
“I know that! But Sgt. Hodkey can! Look, if you don’t believe me, here’s the letter!”
BJ and Hawkeye read the letter and handed it back to Radar. “Well I’ll be damned! It really is from Colonel Cupcake!” Hawkeye said. “I’m sorry we didn’t believe you.”
“It’s okay. I don’t think Colonel Cupcake would be very happy to know that, but I won’t tell him.”
“You’re… going to write him back?” BJ asked.
“Of course!”
“Radar, he’s a dog!” “So what, Hawkeye. Dogs are people too!”
“You know, you’re absolutely right. Give him our regards.”
“I will. Sgt. Hodkey says he’s doing much better and he’s going to get his promotion any day now! He says to thank you for taking such good care of him.”
Radar looked at the letter again, and tears unexpectedly filled his eyes.
“Radar, are you okay?” BJ asked. “What’s wrong?”
Radar shrugged. “Nothing.”
“Come on, you can tell us.” Hawkeye coaxed. “I sure do miss that sweet dog.”
“Well, I’m sure he’ll appreciate hearing that.” BJ said.
“Really?”
“Sure!”
“Gee, I better get started on a letter right away! I don’t want Corporal Cupcake to think that I’ve forgotten about him. And I don’t want him to forget about me, either.”
“Radar, you’re one of a kind. You could never be forgotten.” BJ said.
"Gee, you guys are the swellest! Maybe when I write Corporal Cupcake a letter, he’ll write me another one!”
“Never hurts to try.” BJ said.
Without another word, Radar turned and ran out of the Swamp. There was no time to waste. He had a very important letter to write.
THE END