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  Vint Lawrence Audio Journal #01, 4 December 1965

  J. Vinton Lawrence

  This is Lawrence’s first attempt to use his new recorder to send a message home to his family. He announces he will be coming home at the end of February 1966 and tries to explain the reasons for his departure. He discusses his plans to travel westward before arriving home and hopes to meet up with family friends and perhaps his brothers for skiing in Switzerland. He then further surmises on what the CIA has planned for him once he returns stateside and considers his educational options. He explains that he is staying in Laos for Christmas because he doesn’t want to leave his comrades for the holidays only to return for a couple of months before departing permanently. He then goes into an extended description of how one of the guerrilla units he was with fired guns and artillery at an eclipse, believing that they were keeping a giant frog from swallowing the sun. He asks his family to send “about 10 quarts” of “cool water maple syrup” to give to friends before he leaves, then discusses various family correspondence he has received of late. He expresses interest in recording an aerial description of the area, but fears the noise from the aircraft will be prohibitive. Finally, he discusses more plans to pack up his effects, going to Hong Kong to buy items before leaving, and perhaps making a phone call home.

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  Vint Lawrence Audio Journal #02, 24 December 1965 - Part 1

  J. Vinton Lawrence

  Lawrence reminisces on where he has spent his Christmases over the last four years and talks about a couple of gifts he received from the Lao Prime Minister and a Lao general. He then shares a few details of his recent R&R in Hong Kong and Macau, including opinions shared with him about the Chinese. He then discusses the prospects of a relative named John being sent to Vietnam and other family details.

  He then discusses the details of and his feelings about his impending departure from Laos. He anticipates the annual celebration of the Hmong (“Meo”) New Year and reflects on this being his final Christmas in Laos.

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  Vint Lawrence Audio Journal #03, 24 December 1965 - Part 2

  J. Vinton Lawrence

  Lawrence reminisces on where he has spent his Christmases over the last four years and talks about a couple of gifts he received from the Lao Prime Minister and a Lao general. He then shares a few details of his recent R&R in Hong Kong and Macau, including opinions shared with him about the Chinese. He then discusses the prospects of a relative named John being sent to Vietnam and other family details.

  He then discusses the details of and his feelings about his impending departure from Laos. He anticipates the annual celebration of the Hmong (“Meo”) New Year and reflects on this being his final Christmas in Laos.

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  Vint Lawrence Audio Journal #04, 25 December 1965

  J. Vinton Lawrence

  Lawrence reads an article about Vang Pao from the December 17, 1965 edition of the Bangkok World and offers his opinion of it.

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  Vint Lawrence Audio Journal #05, 7 January 1966

  J. Vinton Lawrence

  Lawrence describes preparations for a visit from the King and his family to promote the Union of Lao Races campaign. He narrates to his family a walk through the terrain and hustle & bustle of Long Tieng. After recording a small amount of qeej playing, he walks into the “square” of Long Tieng, describing some of the buildings there before being interrupted by a rock band. After a pause, Lawrence records the Lao Army Band and then engages in a brief conversation with Vang Chou, also known as “General Direction.” He then wanders into a hall where people are dancing the lamvong before asking Major Ly Tou Pao to greet his family. Then more loud music forces him to stop the recorder. He then decides to walk into the village, which he describes, along with Hmong courtship practices. He finally locates someone playing the qeej again and records a bit before stopping again and finishing his tape back in his office, reflecting again on the impending visit of the King, Queen, and royal court.

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  Vint Lawrence Audio Journal #06, 7 and 16 January 1966

  J. Vinton Lawrence

  Side One Summary: Lawrence explains that his family is getting five tapes at once, in large part because of a crisis that developed while he was on R&R. His close friend, a Thai soldier named Dachar, had gone missing. He describes the seasonal nature of the war, with the Communists advancing in the dry season and the Lao forces pushing back during the rainy season, and then relates a story of going in search for Dachar and the circumstances in which he was eventually found.

  Side Two Summary: As with his brother, Lawrence shares with his family that “[m]y future has been turned upside down again.” He has been recommended for a position in the south without anyone first asking him if he is interested. He discusses his options and how he hopes to spend his time at home. He then discusses revisiting numerous places for the last time, shooting lots of movies, and describes them to his family. He mentions giving his movies to a friend “who was going back to Washington to help put together a film on what we’ve done out here.” After discussing his packing and travel plans, he describes the Royal Family’s visit as successful. He describes meeting Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma and his son, “who is going to Harvard Business School next year.” He then describes the King and Queen (“quite a grand couple”) and compares the King quite favorably to Cambodia’s Prince Sihanouk. After describing some of the people and festivities associated with the visit, Lawrence mentions that he is in Udorn, where he has come to consult with Pat Landry to discuss his new job prospect. After mentioning some family correspondence, Lawrence reflects on the kind of job skills he has developed in Laos and observes that “I think the only thing I’d probably get a job with [back in the US] is with Cosa Nostra or the Mafia. I can’t see very much else that I’d be qualified for.”

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  Vint Lawrence Audio Journal #07, 16 January 1966

  J. Vinton Lawrence

  Lawrence, in a message to his brother Starling, intimates that the CIA may compel him to take a new position in Southern Laos. He is clearly not pleased. He discusses details about packing, leaving, hoping to meet up with Star in Switzerland, how much film he has shot over the last several weeks, and various interests he has developed in Laos, including astronomy and geology. He concludes by discussing how difficult it will be to leave.

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  Vint Lawrence Audio Journal #09, 29 January 1966

  J. Vinton Lawrence

  Lawrence provides a detailed description a farewell baci ceremony given in his honor and reflects on his years of service with General Vang Pao and the Hmong. He reveals that he is likely to refuse the new position in Southern Laos.