29 Aug August 29, 1945

letter
from: Pfc George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France
29 Aug. 1945, 6:30 PM, Wed.

Dearest Alice and Ronnie,

Here I am back in Compiegne after a long tiresome trip back from Nice. This
time without a layover with the exception of four hours in Paris this
morning.  Arrived in Compiegne about 3 p.m.  I stopped at the office and
picked up some 23 letters, 12 of them from you and one from about everyone
else.  I’ve spent the time since unpacking, reading my mail and trying to
catch up with things.

Won’t attempt to answer your letters tonight as I have too much yet to do.
Will say enjoyed the snacks of you and Claude’s family.  Also the letters
very much.  Take it you didn’t think much of Mrs. Sweeney and can’t say as
I blame

page 2
you unless of course she didn’t really mean the things she said as you took
it.  As for her husband being good looking maybe my opinion of men’s good
looks are different from most but I certainly wouldn’t say Dan is amy
handsomer than thousands of other men.  He does have nice looking hair.
Maybe all women think their husbands are good looking, I don’t know.  Can’t
see that it matters much, does it?  I know it doesn’t make any difference
to me whether he is better looking than I.  I know I am smarter than he and
I think a better man in many respects.  Personally that’s all that should
matter if anything should at all.

Naturally all I have been hearing since returning are rumors.

page 3
I am glad to report so far they are all good but they are definitely rumors
as far as I have determined.  So I am not counting on them.  Where ever, if
ever anything definite comes through I will tell you.  For the time being
I am counting on from four to six more months in the ETO.  Perhaps should
I get a decent break might make it for Christmas. That’s what I am really
hoping for in the worst way.  And you can count on it.  We would get Ronnie
the biggest Christmas tree he has ever had yet plus a lot of other things
for both of you.  I guess just being home will be good enough for me.

page 4
Well I started this letter early but it’s eleven thirty now.  You see the
boys said there was a good show downtown and talked me into going.  It was
very good.  Ginger Rogers and Lana Turner in "A Weekend at the Waldorf".
One of the most enjoyable shows I’ve seen for some time.

I took my laundry over to my French friend and got these pictures I am
enclosing.  They were taken the Sunday before I left.  I took a lot more
while at Nice which you will be getting some of these days.  Oh yes, nearly
forgot I received a package while away too.  I’m eating some of your
delicious cookies now -- so are the boys.  Also the candy and received

the films.  Thanks very much for it all.  Guess you won’t have to send
any more film as I must have about 20 rolls right now.  Thanks to my trip
to Nice.

page 5
One of the letters I received was from Betty P.  From the way she talked
guess  I must have written her after all.  Also got a very long nice letter
from Vita Campbell.  She put in another good word for you and Ronnie, a
letter from a Capt. Eggie Vroman, remember?  Everything seems to be alright

and he wants us to come to Denver, one from Forest, Norma, Murray,
Mrs. Cauble, mailed last December 12th and one from Sergeant Lane.  Also a
very nice book about <? aud> from the 95th Division. And there goes the last
of the cookies.  The boys just asked for an encore.  The next time try and
send a couple extra. Will you?

page 6
Was surprised about Dick’s shrapnel wound.  Did he get a purple heart for
it?  And how many points does he have?

Well Ronnie, you just keep plugging away and hoping that Daddy will yet
get home soon and maybe I will make it in time to bring you that Christmas
tree yet.

Now it’s past time for bed as I got no sleep last night at all and very
little the  night before and tomorrow morning it’s back to work I go.

All my love to you both,
Daddy