25 Aug August 25, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
August 25th, 1944
Friday, 11:00 P.M.

My Darling,

Well I’m here in Rockford now after a hectic trip.  The first 30 miles they
were repairing the roads in about 50 different places, so that there was
"one-way traffic only."  In other words half the time you had to wait until
the car coming towards you came through before you could drive on.  This held
me up, but on top of it about 20 miles before I got to Sycamore there was a
detour on Rt. #64, so that I had to go around through DeKalb and then back to
Rt. #64 again.  I still made it in about three hrs. 15 minutes, but it was sort
of nerve-wracking.  Ronnie slept most of the way with his head on a pillow
propped against me and was pretty comfortable, too.

I got in Rockford about 4:15 this afternoon and we had supper about 6:00.
(Steak, too - mmm!)  Then I told Chuck and Betty they could go to a show if
they wished and I’d take care of Patsy.  They went, and Muriel’s sister came
over and

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we spent the evening talking.  Muriel is in Appleton, Wis. where she has an
apartment and is making novelties for several stores there.  Guess she’s doing
all-right, too, from what I hear.

I brought Judy along, too, and it seems she doesn’t have an appetite away from
home, as she ate very little of her supper tonight.  Maybe she’s homesick.
Ronnie ate very well, and so did I!

I just had a big dish of ice-cream, too, that just about filled me up.

Well, everyone’s gone to bed, but me, so guess I’ll run along now and get a
bit of sleep, too.

Goodnite, honey, and I’ll pray again that you won’t be sent to the battlefront.
I want you right in our little home with us, and not away where we can’t see
you, and afraid every minute that you’ll get hurt.  I hope you’re gaining some
of the weight I’m losing.  I try to eat, but still lose.  Here’s hoping you
will be with us for Christmas.

All our love, always.
Mom and Ronnie