28 Apr April 28, 1945

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
April 28, 1945,
Saturday, 9:35 p.m.

My darling,

Here I sit waiting for the next news flash over the radio.  There has been a
lot of excitement all evening as it’s been rumored that Germany has surrendered
unconditionally to all the Allies, and that Pres. Truman was preparing his
public announcement of the fact.  The last newscast I heard, however, said that
the President said there was no foundation to the rumor.  The first I heard of
it, Ernest Hayes called up saying the war was over and wanted Ronnie and me to
come over there.  This was at 7:30.  As Bobby is spending the night here, I had
a good excuse for not going.  Marge and Murray were going to stop in tonight,
but they must have had other plans, as they haven’t been around.  Chamberlin
called tonight asking for your address and asked how you are, etc.  He said he
had a letter from

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you a month ago.

I asked him how his business was going, and he replied that he kept busy, but
not as busy as last year.  He also said his wife was up and around part of
every day.  He plans on writing you, so perhaps you’ll hear from him soon.

Yesterday I did my week-end cleaning, plus baking a fresh cherry pie and
preparing dinner for guests.  My guests were Mr. and Mrs. Page and their
10-year-old niece, Ginger.  You see they were taking us to the circus last
night, so I partially repaid them by inviting them to dinner before we went.

I had a devil of a time getting meat for the occasion, as nothing but fish was
to be had at the meat market.  I finally talked him into selling me two slices
of army reject ham, so we had scalloped ham and potatoes; jello salad; green
beans; salary; hot parker house rolls; jello; and fresh cherry

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pie, ice cream and coffee.

Just as we were all set to leave for the circus, (and we wanted an early start
in order to get seats, as they do not reserve them), a knock was heard, or
rather it must being the door-bell.  Who should it be, but the minister
(Rev. Hanson) from the church which Ronnie attends.  I didn’t recognize him at
first and it was rather embarrassing as I hated to tell him he should leave,
because we were in a rush.  When I did remember who he was, I was really
flustered.  I finally had to tell him we were headed for the circus, so he left
after talking a few minutes.  He said he had a three-year-old daughter.  He’s
not very old.  Possibly in his thirties and tall and blonde.  He also asked me
if I wouldn’t like to attend services, too.  I said I might, but doubt it, as I

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don’t know what I do with Ronnie.  I never could figure out why they don’t have
Sunday school and church simultaneously.  It would certainly simplify matters.
I don’t imagine there would be enough room, though.

Ronnie certainly was thrilled with the circus.  I only wish you could have
enjoyed the expression on his face.  At first he was awestruck, just stared
open-mouthed, then he started to point out things, then laughed and clapped
for each act, as if he’d been attending the circus all his life.  When at the
end they fired a girl out of the cannon, he jumped a foot at the noise and then
turned to Mr. Page and said "That scared me, Mr. Page!  Afterwards we asked him
what he liked best and he pondered a while and said, "I like when they shot the

girl out of the gun best!"

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He also got a big thrill out of the lion act and the horses, and clowns.

They announced again now that the surrender of Germany report was unfounded.  I
know it was too good to be true.  The story was that because of Hitler’s
illness Himmler was acting in his stead and asking to surrender.  Well, it was
exciting while it lasted, anyway.  It can’t be very far off, so I’ll keep on
hoping we’ll be together soon.

Today I finished the last wall in the living room and now it’s all washed but
the mantle and ceiling.  I put the old curtains up again, but they are so full
of holes I’ll have to find something to replace them in a hurry, even if I have
to make some myself.  Even so, material is so expensive.  Nothing less than
$2.00 per yd. and it takes 14 yds. per room.  Think you can win that

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much in your poker in the next week or two.

11.30 p.m.
Know what I’ve been doing the past 1/2 hour?  I’ve been shaking pennies,
nickels and dimes, out of Ronnie’s "piggy bank" (the one I bought for him on
our wedding trip - remember?) and also another bank of his.  I also counted
the results, and it amounts to a grand total of $7.00.  Isn’t that something?
I could use it in helping to buy curtains, but that would be stealing as I’ve
given him these pennies and dimes occasionally and they’re his very own.  When
I deposit this $7.00, he’ll have a total of $21.00 in the bank.  Isn’t that
wonderful?  He’ll have a fortune in no time.

Yesterday I got page 1 of your April 15th V-mail letter, and a V-mail dated
April 19th and an airmail dated April 18th.  Today I got the bunch of picture
postcards from Paris.  I’m still waiting for the box you said you sent us.

Good night, darling.  See you soon.
Love, Mom and Ronnie.

P.S.
Also got a March 30th Stars and Stripes today.  I was disappointed finding no
letter enclosed.