Vietnam

Richie is sent to Vietnam to fight for the U.S. Army in 1967. He describes it as a rainy, hot jungle with rivers and rice paddies.

Harlem, New York

Richie grew up in Harlem and his brother and mother still live there. Richie graduated from Stuyvesant High School and played in neighborhood basketball games. He describes witnessing a drive-by shooting at the age of fifteen and often worries his brother Kenny is going to get hurt.

Rain

The heavy rain in Vietnam makes Richie simultaneously happy and horrified. He often hopes for rain when he thinks the enemy may be near, to hinder visibility in a firefight, but then he curses the rain when it falls and he is trying to make it to safety.

Guns

The young men of Richie’s squad are issued guns right when they arrive. Richie, Jenkins and Peewee receive M-16s...