17 Apr April 17, 1945

V-mail
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: PVT George W. Shonkwiler
April 17, 1945
Tuesday, 8.55 p.m.

Darling,

Ronnie’s in bed and I just brought Bobby home and the rest of the evening is
mine.  Ronnie and Bobby have been playing war.  Ronnie points his machine gun
at Bobby before he has a chance to die from the last shot.  Ronnie says, "Get
up, Bobby. I want to shoot you." This goes on and on, finally, Bobby says,
"Give me the gun, It’s my turn to shoot you dead."  So you see, I’m in the
midst of action on the home front,too.  This afternoon after their nap they
were out and Ronnie comes home wet and muddy up to his knees and a big hole in
his snowsuit sleeve.  I guess that means a new suit next year.  You’d better
get home by then to buy it.  Ronnie said Bobby pushed him in the mud puddle
and Bobby said he didn’t, but finally admitted to me after a while that he did,
altho he told his folks he didn’t.  Who to believe?  Well, see you next page.
Love and kisses from Mom and Ronnie.

V-mail
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
April 17, 1945
Tuesday, 9:10 P.M. [page 2]

Hello again, honey,

I just heard President Truman give his message to the armed forces.  He sounded
very sincere and I hope he is for everyone’s sake, and I for one, am willing to
give him a chance, and guess everyone knows he has a tough assignment and it
requires a lot of courage to face without any bad criticism from the people,
before he proves himself.  Edith and I attended the Fernwood Women’s Club
Luncheon at the Nantucket today.  The luncheon consisted of tomato juice, big
salad, two pork cutlets, green peas, mashed potatoes, and apple tart with
whipped cream and coffee.  (Also hot rolls and cornbread with our meal.) To me
it was dinner, and I hardly call it lunch, would you?  They also had an
operatic soprano and pianist for the program.  Mrs. Page was home with Ronnie
and he slept all the time I was gone.  I got a Stars and Stripes today, but no
letter.  So the French gals think the Yank G.I.s. are babes in love making.
Could be?

Love, Mom and Ronnie