02 Aug August 2, 1945

letter
from: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France
2 Aug. 45, Thurs. 4 P.M.
Noteworthy: Dad continues to have skin trouble. Dad compares German recovery
to that of France.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

A little slow at the moment, so will start this letter to you and Ronnie.
Perhaps that way will do better than yesterday when I didn’t write you at all.
Nothing much happened yesterday, and last night I went to see the movie,
"Wilson."  It was very long.  Afterwards I got involved in a poker game so
hence the neglect.  The poker game was a no profit and no loss proposition.  So
I really wasted the evening.  I did receive a letter from you yesterday plus
the one I am enclosing that was returned to me for some reason.

I feel very uncomfortable now and have been feeling that way for a couple days.
Both my elbows are broken out and infected.  Also my "sitter."  My face is
almost cleared up with the exception of one small spot just above my right eye.
I am thoroughly disgusted and very undecided what to do.  [I] Know that if I go
back to the dispensary it will mean sweating out a few weeks in a hospital
again.  With a possible furlough coming any day and a possible some thing else
that might happen any time[,] I hate like hell going back there.  However I
don’t know how much longer I can risk holding out this way as the stuff seems
to be getting worse.  It’s a great life, isn’t it?

The show "Wilson" was pretty good.  I don’t know if you have seen it or not
but imagine if you have, you will agree that the movies kind of built the old
boy up considerably.  However, it would have been very interesting to know if
the United States had stood behind him, if it would have avoided this

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war.  I rather doubt it as our victory over Germany the last time was not
convincing enough to ensure a lasting peace.  I believe this time we have done
much more to ensure a lasting peace both in the battlefield and at the peace
table.  There is much yet to be done and our politicians and Americans at the
whole shouldn’t rest on their laurels by any means.  Germany will come back.
Already from the reports I hear from boys coming back from there and what I can
read about what the Germans are doing to get back to normal I know that they
are far ahead of the sluggish, no good nation I am now living in.  These people
here in France are dead on their feet.  At their present rate of recovery and
rebuilding it will take generations for them to get back to normal, if ever.

I mailed you two packages today.  One contained my pistol broken down.  It’s
against postal regulations to send pistols home so [I] don’t know if it will
ever arrive or not.  If it does, be very careful when you unwrap it that you
don’t lose any of the parts.  When you unwrap it look it over good and see if
it has rusted.  If it has please try to clean it off and re-oil it all very
good.  If it isn’t rusted, put some more oil all over and in it and put it away
someplace.  I’ll put it together when I get home.  In the other package I sent
your anniversary presents plus

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a bottle of perfume, each for Marge and Martha.  You may take your choice of
the perfume.  There are four bottles all supposed to be very good stuff.  Also
there are two boxes of powders, a small pr [pair] of wooden shoes, some other
little things, and a bunch of your letters.  Didn’t do much for Ronnie in this
package but will do better for him the next time.

So Ronnie’s new swing and trapeze set is keeping him in our own backyard, at
least for a while.  How does the old gal next door like that?  Should she try

anything and you don’t do something about it, I’ll be off you for life - or
feel like it.  Who set it up for you and is it as good as it looks in the
picture?  Certainly hope no one breaks an arm or something playing on it.

Well my dears it’s quitting time now so will sign off and finish this later in
the evening.  What has happened to Dick?  I still have received no word from
him of any kind.  Perhaps he could write me anyway.  Also what happened to
Marge’s brother, and Al Evers?  Guess they will all beat me home at the present
outlook.

Wes

10 P.M.
Back from another movie, John L Sullivan ["The Great John L"] and a short visit
to my French friends to pick up my laundry.  She is doing it for me and does a
very good job.  I kissed my first

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French Mademoiselle tonite.  A very nice cute little trick.  She gave me two
nice smacks on my cheek and I very gracefully, I hope, returned it.  She called
me Monsieur George and sat on my lap.  Really a very nice little girl.  Of
course she was only three years old but I still got quite a thrill out of her.
Now are you still jealous?  These people’s neighbors have three little girls
and they were at these people’s house.  They have been there before and tonite
was the first time I’ve been able to get to first base with this little girl.
Candy and chewing gum certainly accomplishes a lot in this country.

I had a slight interruption and it is now 11:30 P.M. so by the time I have
shaved it will be very late for yours truly.  You know what that means - time’s
up.  And that’s all for tonite.  I hope you both well and sweet dreams my dears.

All my love to you both forever,
Daddy