04 Apr April 4, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
4-4-44, 8 p.m. Tuesday
Noteworthy: Some of Dad’s child rearing wisdom; what Ronnie got from his first
Mommy.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Three letters today.  They seem to come in clusters. One special delivery
mailed Mar 31st, one special mailed April 2nd and one airmail mailed yesterday.
Guess it doesn’t pay to send them special delivery.  Anyhow, I was glad to get
them all even if one of them was kinda tough in spots.

We changed to summer uniforms yesterday.  Today it has been cold as hell.  But
as a whole the weather is pretty warm.  Most of the women I see here all are
wearing summer clothing.  Most of them have spring coats.  I think regular late
spring Chicago clothing would be appropriate.

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Sounds like Ronnie is going to be all decked out.  As for money - I doubt if
$50 will be enough.  But if that’s all you have, we will make it do some way.

As for the income tax report - to hell with it.  If they want to come and get
me out of the army for not filing one, they are welcome to do it.  None of the
other boys here are filing one either.

Suppose you will either be in Rockford or on your way by the time this reaches
you.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed until I hear you are both home safe.  Please
be careful and drive slow.  Glad Onslee can come back with you.

I am disappointed Dr. Rathburn wouldn’t help me out as I had counted on it
pretty much.  No use sending me anything.  I’ll just go along as long as I can
and when it gets too bad will go to

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the hospital.  Maybe by that time some thing will come up so everything will
work out alright.  Who knows[,] maybe the war will be over.

I haven’t received the package yet.  Am waiting patiently by.  It’s more than
my turn to have something to pass around.  So even though I know now, I won’t
get much of what ever it is it will be appreciated all around.  So Ronnie has
a temper - the only remedy for that is a good spanking at the right time.  The
throwing he got from his first mommy, I guess.  She used to do that once in a
while.

So Eleanor is out after both of us.  Tell her we men can take care of her
alright never worry.  I haven’t heard from Gladys since the first week here.
Suppose she is

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pretty busy.  Especially if Dick is going to the army.  Sounds to me like Fern
is getting her just dues.  For some reason I don’t feel sorry for that babe one
little bit.

Well my dears, we just got orders we have to scrub the oil spots off of our
floor 8:30 p.m.  So that means no more letter writing tonight.  Just another
hour’s work.  The army is really nice.  Oh yes, they still haven’t returned my
laundry.

Won’t be long now until you are here - I am counting the days.  Just hope I get
a decent break those two week-ends.

Bye, bye, now and lots of love to both of you.
Daddy