07 Apr April 7, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George Shonkwiler
April 7th, 1944, Friday, 10:00 P.M.

Darling,

I’m writing this in bed and Ronnie is sound asleep.  He was pretty tired, as
he’s been out all day.  He had a nap this afternoon tho.  Elinor Johnson asked
me over there for lunch and dinner today, so I’ve been gone since 10:30 A.M.
until 9:30 tonite.

Jack was s’posed to go [into the military], but asked for 60 days to clear up
his business.  He got six months!  Imagine!  Pays to live in Rockford

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I guess.  I think he has connections, as his late father was quite well known,
also has a lot of influential relatives.  Elinor’s brother is in [the military],
and he has never been well, has a bad heart and has had several operations
lately, ruptured appendix, etc.  He’s 32 and has a 19 mo. old son.  He’s in the
regular infantry and has fainted several times during basic training, so they
put him in limited service.  He is sure in the "dumps."  You should hear his
letters!  Makes his wife, mother and everyone worry to death.

Anyway Elinor and Jack are taking this vacation together up

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North this year.  They were so s’prised that you were in the army.

Tomorrow I’m having lunch with Vy and am going to Kathryn Lord’s house at
2:00 PM. and will meet Elsie Reddite at 6:30.  Ronnie will have his nap while
Vy and I have lunch, so he won’t suffer.  What a schedule I’m keeping.  Sure is
fun seeing all the old gang.  Makes me wish I were living here, as I don’t see
much of anyone in Chicago.  Of course most of all I wish you were home again
and this war over, so all the boys can come home and make mothers, wives, and

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sweethearts happy again.  Here I go getting sentimental and stuff!

Could you make reservations on the Dixie-Flagler, (C and E. I. R.R.) for my
return trip?  I hope so, as I can’t make them here.  My ticket number is 3616.
See if you can, as they say, if I wait til I get down [there] it may take
months or weeks before I can get back.  It’s Chicago and Eastern Ill. Railroad
and the train is Dixie-Flagler.  You can call on the phone and make
reservations from camp.  I think.

I’m going home Mon. A.M.
Bye, honey and don’t forget us.
Love, Mommy and Ronnie.

P.S.  Chuck and Betty saw Fred with a babe last Sat. nite.  He told Oralee he
couldn’t get in.  Wondering if that’s what’s keeping him this week-end.  Hope
you don’t ever do that!