10 Oct October 10, 1945

letter
from; PFC George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France
10 October 1945, Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Dearest Alice and Ronnie,

All caught up with my work so you benefit from my spare time even though no
mail again today.  I did finally get your v-mail saying you had received my
special delivery registered letter.  Like the letter it took longer than
ordinary mail <? no> can’t hardly say that either as lately I’ve been getting
very little mail of any kind. No one seems to be getting any around here so
it’s universal we are all crying plenty.

It’s very nice here today and quite warm.  Right now I’m out in the balcony
just outside our office sunning myself.  It has been crisp fall weather here
the last two weeks.  I certainly hope I’m out of here for good before winter
sets in. In fact, out of the army entirely as no matter what <? conveniences>
the army has to offer it’s a lot rougher than ones own fireside.

Well tonight is the first game of the World Series and I stand to gain or
lose twenty dollars on the outcome -- confidentially -- I don’t feel any too
hot about it right now as the Cubs have no good starting pitcher left while
the Tigers have plenty.  Oh well, long before you receive this, you will know
all about it.  Twenty dollars won’t make or break me and I’ve had a lot of
fun and it has certainly helped pass the

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time.  Right now, that is the big thing.

We were called together today and told that Oct. 28th the depot stops operating.
A lot of the low point men are going to Belgium to the second depot to operate
there.  As for me, I’m still not definite.  With a decent break here and there,
I may stay away from Belgium.  If I do, it will be good news for all three of
us I can assure you of that.  One thing I do know now, I haven’t much longer

to wait before I will either be in the driver’s seat or just another soldier
in the <? GTO> sweating it out.

According to today’s paper all two year men will be released in March as it
looks like I’m definitely getting closer to a discharge someday.  However, I
really have a hunch that I’ll be a civilian long before March, at least I’m
counting on it.

Saw a fair show last night after that watched a couple good ping-pong games
then went over to visit the <? Guilboie’s>.  Then home and to bed.  All of
our poker players almost, have either gone home or are on furlough so I’m
kinda lost of late without our usual game.  Maybe it’s just as well as one
can always lose

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you know.  Guess I have nothing to complain about.  At least the boys I play
with all say I have all their money.  Of course, some of them would say that
whether I did or not.

Guess I’ll manage to get one more hundred dollar money order to send you after
all.  Don’t ask too many questions.  But this one is all perfectly legal and
I was lucky to get it.  We still hear that the gov’t will cash only so much of
our francs when we get ready to go home so every bit I get home now is just
that much less I have to worry about then.  Hope you manage to save some of
this because I anticipate some "rainy days" immediately ahead after I get
discharged.

Well they say I have a little work to do inside so guess I’d better get back to
the army and my job.  How is my little Ronnie today.  And just what day would
he like to have Daddy drop in to see him in the not too distant future?  All
my love to you both,

Daddy

Thursday 8:30 am.  Just to let you know that the Cubs lost last night which
you know already.  I’m also enclosing this $100 money order.  That will
definitely be the last. Now until I get a letter or two good bye for now,
Wes