24 Jan January 24, 1945

letter
from: Private George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
England
January 24, 1945, Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Dearest Alice and Ronnie,

No letters again tonight but you can’t guess what I did get.  One of the
nicest package I could have received.  You kinda fooled me, sending me that
very nice photograph of you and Ronnie.  It really is very good of both of
you, and you both look good.  Ronnie certainly is growing.  When did you have
it taken, and where did you send it?  They never put mailing dates on
packages for some reason.  Of course, I know you must have sent it since
Dec. 21st.  I also received the nice stationery.  Thank you very much for
both of them.

Page 2.
I have the pictures setting on my bed table, and it brings you both very near
to me right now.  I wish I were just as near physically.

Found out today that I will be around for at least another week.  Other than
that, I know nothing.  Well another week may mean very big changes in Germany.
I’m still hoping against hope that this big push will end it all once and
for all soon.

You should see this country around here tonite.  You know I told you about
our four to six inches of snow yesterday.  Then today it has been very foggy
even though temperature is

page 3
below freezing.  The affect of the freezing fog is really a sight to behold
Every thing, trees, fences, bushes, hedge rows, anything out in the air is
covered with frost almost an inch deep.  The trees look completely white all
over.  Boy they really have everything freakish in this God forsaken country.

Well my dears no mail, no news, plus a long letter I wrote you last night
makes for a short one tonight since I have to catch up with my other
correspondence.  Thanks again for the picture it really is worth a lot to me.
The other one is back in Germany, it was with my other stuff that was left
behind.

All my love to you both,
Daddy