The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters of Love”. Each “letter” tells of love in one of its many forms from a separate point of view. Benicia is represented prominently in the letters because of Garrett’s deep fondness for the city of Benicia. He hopes readers see themselves or others they know in the letters because the concept of “Love” is universal.

Mr. Garrett,
My wife and I have long known a career Marine who has seen a number of places on the planet. Included in those places have now been multiple tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We’ve sent him and his men a lot of packages over the years with anything we felt they needed or which would make their time in a distant land easier.
On rare occasions he has stopped by for a surprise visit. Each of those times has been adjustments he was able to make in his travel. He is an only child and his parents are no longer with us. I have no idea where he goes when he takes leave, I never ask.
Occasionally we receive a letter or email from that now middle-aged man. In every communication he writes of how much he appreciated growing up in Benicia and interacting with the people he met here. He always uses the word love in relation to his connection with Benicia. Also, he has probably used every synonym for that word when writing of memories of his time here.
He hardly writes anything about himself personally, usually just a short paragraph telling what he can of where he is and what he is doing. In that part of his communication he mostly writes in generalities.
The second part of his communications is in praise of the fine young men he is privileged to lead. He writes that they keep getting better and better whether they give four years to Corps and country or make the Marines a career.
The final section of each communication is the longest. That is where he writes nostalgically and fondly of people and events in what he always states is his home town. As I read his words, I can picture the smile on his face I believe was there as he wrote the words. He has humor, wisdom, and acceptance in his words. His words of remembrance warm my heart.
I don’t know if he will ever return to Benicia to live. He has never said if he would or not. Perhaps he wants to remember the Benicia in which he was raised and which he loves, I don’t know. I do know he has a life far past Benicia. Part of that life probably includes a lady. Maybe where she lives is where he will eventually live.
_ In time retirement will come for him as it does for everyone in one way or another. I hope when his time for retirement comes it is because his maximum time spent serving our country has been reached and not because of some injury fate may deem to be his.
Tonight I’m going to write him about this letter to you. Perhaps he will write to you about his memories of Benicia for inclusion in your book.
He always closes his letters with “Semper Fidelis.” He has always been, and always will be, “Always Faithful”.
-John_

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love”, “The Mansion Stories”, “Chief Salt”, and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work titled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.”
He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

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