30 Jul July 30, 1945

letter
from: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France,
30 July 45, 9 p.m.

My dear Alice and Ronnie,

Just finished helping win a softball game and am now at the office waiting my
turn for a shower, 516th Co. of which I am a member, played HQ Company, which
I am attached <?un> as <?sgned> too, and we trimmed them about 16 to 7.  My total
contribution was one run.  Needless to say, I am looking forward to a few days
of stiff, sore muscles after lying around in the hospital for six weeks.
They’ve been stiff before, so guess I’ll live through it.

Returned from Paris at 5 p.m., had my usual good time while there.  Attended
three shows, and had a good night’s sleep and sat and watched the soldiers go
by from in front of Rainbow Red Cross Corner.  There aren’t as many soldiers in
Paris now as there were in May but still plenty, and plenty of varieties
including nationalities.  In fact now I think I’ve seen soldiers from all over
the world, even some from Argentina on this trip.  Think I’ve spent more money
this trip than ever before, as I bought another, much better camera. (still
#120 film), and some perfume.  Will send it to you real

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soon now.  It’s very good perfume.  Thought you might take your choice then
give one each to Martha and Marge.  That will probably be the extent of my
gifts to them, as I have just about decided to try and send something to the
family.  Because I know I can’t send to one without sending to all.  Do you
suppose a bottle of perfume would do for your family too?  Perfume seems to be
about the only thing they have in abundance here.  Good perfume is expensive as
hell, but it’s ever more so back home, I’m told.  And perhaps the foreign
flavor will go over with most of them.

My skin is already acting up again.  I have one spot on my right elbow that
is infected and feels like another where I sit down.  I can’t figure out why
it gets infected so easily now, unless my condition is such that I have very
little resistance to infections or that this damn country, is so full of
infection that it’s almost impossible to have trouble of any kind without
getting infection.  Well I’m going to wait this time and see what happens
before I take a chance on having to spend six weeks more in a hospital just
to be released again, partially cured.  Besides there are some pretty
persistent rumors

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out that would be mighty nice indeed if they turn out to be true.  Guess I
should know something pretty definite in the next three or four weeks.

Sent you a cablegram while in Paris.  No doubt you know all about that by
this time.  Am sending the package in the next few days.  That along with
the telegram, it’s beginning to look like will be about all I can do for you
this year for our anniversary.  I’ll try and save up all my energy for that
time, when and if it ever arrives, that usually goes along with celebrating
a wedding anniversary.  Guess we really haven’t had much opportunity yet to
do much celebrating, have we?  Oh well, this can’t go on forever.  For some
reason, tonight I feel pretty optimistic about the future.  No reason
especially just one of those feelings.  Make the most of it for probably in a
day or two I’ll hear something that will take the foundation right out from
under me.

You mentioned in your letter today that you were going to Glen Ellyn to see

Mr. Chamberlin, what happened?  I don’t know if you have visions of going to
California, Oregon, or someplace else to settle down after

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the war or not.  But if you have rather think you should forget about it
because Chicago weather is damp enough for my sinus trouble.  From what I
hear about California, Oregon, and some others of those states, it’s
practically dripping there all the time.  That would never do.  However,
guess there isn’t much use crossing that bridge until we get to it. Right
now, getting out of the army is the bridge I’ve got to cross.  And it still
looks like it’s going to be a long one.

Oh yes, there was a letter and a V-letter waiting for me when I return today.
Mailed July 23rd, written July 21st.  Even at that, not bad service.  Still
a lot of letters missing, but one once in a while keeps me pretty well
informed.

Well, it’s now ten thirty.  I’ve had my shower and am back in my room. Time
for shaving and then to bed.  The room is very quiet as most of the boys went
on a boat cruise on the Seine River.  I couldn’t go on account of playing
baseball.  There will be more, I guess.  Now, all my love to you both and keep
your fingers crossed. I’ll make it yet someday.

Daddy