Fort Hood, Texas

Fort Hood is an Army post. The post is in Texas. This is where Jamie lives with her family. Fort Hood is the main setting for the entire novel.

Rec Center

The rec center is short for recreation center. It is the building on the base where the soldiers hang out for extracurricular activities. They can shoot pool, play cards, do arts and crafts, drink and even develop pictures. The rec center is where Jamie works for the summer, where she meets Private Hollister and where the two engage in a summer-long game of gin rummy.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a country in Asia. The novel takes place during the Vietnam War, so American soldiers, such as TJ are shipped off to various places in Vietnam to serve their country. Vietnam is a communistic country and TJ ends up as a prisoner of war (POW), which...