I'm trying very hard to be a regular soldier

It was 1959, and not long ago the unspeakable had happened: Elvis Presley had been called up for national service. Now stationed in Friedberg, Germany, many miles from home, he was finding it difficult to cope with the constant stream of mail reaching him from all corners of the globe; many of his fans still distraught since learning of his conscription the previous year, some even fearing they'd maybe seen the last of him. In an attempt to keep everyone informed of his situation and to hopefully put an end to rumours of an impending marriage (it was around now that he met Priscilla Beaulieu) he hand-wrote the following rough draft of a form letter, to be sent to each and every person who had been in touch...

Transcript follows.

Thanks to Jeff at Hard Rock again for another fantastic letter. It goes without saying, but a visit to the Hard Rock Memorabilia website is recommended to all, as is a visit to their home on Facebook.

All Images Copyright © 2010 Hard Rock International, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Transcript

Dear ___________

Received your letter today and appreciated hearing from you very much. It helps me a great deal to hear from my friends and fans from back home. I'll be counting the days and looking forward to the time to come, when I can return back to my homeland and start entertaining again, and doing the things I really love to do.

I'm sorry that I can't answer each letter personally, which I would like to do, but due to my regular army schedule I do not have the time, which I know you understand very well. My mind is constantly thinking of all my friends and fans that I had to leave behind.

I'm trying very hard to be a regular soldier and do my job the best that I can, as all other soldiers have to do, which is very hard for me to do, due to my tremendous request I have from the public to do so many things, which to my regret I'm unable to fulfil.

But I appreciate each and every one of you as friends, fans, and every letter that I receives helps me so much to carry on. Please except this very short note for this time and I hope to hear from you again reall soon.

If you do not get a reply from your letter soon and I know that you will understand why.

Until I see you again take care of yourself, and keep up the good work and I know you have done a great job.

I'm very sorry, that I cannot answer each question that people ask me, but maybe there will come a time soon, when I meet you in person and then I will be able to tell you things about myself. But until that time: "May God Bless you and keep you always"

Best Wishes

Elvis Presley ← use this one!!!

Sincerely your friend

E.P.

either Loving you Elvis Presley or just E.P. stamps

P.S.: don't believe those rumors you read or hear about marriage. I have not found anyone I care that much about yet, and when I do, I will make the announcement, and then you can be sure. E.P.

!!! Get this one typed and printed on Army E.A.P. stationary !!! Need 500 of them

E.P.