The strategy of trying to hold onto the last bit of sanity left inside leaves these men with their own way of keeping in touch for who they still are. The creations and originality of writing letters to home can help soldiers connect to home knowing there is someone there who cares about them. Lieutenant Carroll is someone who is a smart and sympathetic leader, has very well connections with home as well as Richie. In Carroll’s letters to his wife back in Kansas, he talks about opening up a bookstore back home. “He wanted to open a bookstore if she could find a place” (Myers 130). Writing has a way of releasing words that can relieve stress or bring happiness. Another way to cope with the Vietnam War is making jokes or humor. Peewee all through the war recurs on making jokes to be funny. One example is when during an attack, Perry and Peewee were both in a hole dug by a Vietnam soldier. In the hole while trying to be silent as possible, Peewee whispers to Richie saying,”’I got to shit.’ It was funny. It was funny as hell. We both started giggling” (Myers 289). The quote shows on no matter the situation for Peewee, it’s always good to have a good laugh here and there. Even if death is staring at you in the face. Denying reality for what it is helps us get through things that we cannot process through our own head. One way to