08 Jun June 8, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
8 June 44
1410, Thurs.
Noteworthy: letter written on "message center" paper on bivouac; more about
boot camp life; Dad inquires about Junior; Dad gets report that Alice
is a good wife.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

We are having another message center field problem and since we get a chance to
loaf on these problems you are getting the benefit.  And then I have to write
now or not at all today as I have guard duty tonite.  It won’t be so bad as I
get out of a 4 hr nite field problem.  They are worthwhile missing anytime.

The weather is nice again today and when the weather is nice the bivouac stuff
is bearable.

page 2
You see in the Army we take advantage of everything at hand - hence the
stationery.  These are used message center blanks that we write our messages on.
Right now I am what is known as <? Sa1> or Charge of Personnel - and I write
all messages that has [have] anything to do with personnel in the battalion.
Of course it’s all assimilated [simulated] - Just good practice.

Tomorrow, Friday, we have another long day then Sat. we move camp to

page 3
another location.  That means tear everything down[,] move[,] and then set it
back up again includes digging new foxhole[s], camouflaging, etc.  Then we
stand field inspection and I guess the day’s work is over[,] also one half of
our bivouac.  Sat. night and Sunday, they say we have our beer party.  There
certainly are a lot of dry throats out here.  We are getting 80 cases of beer
so you can imagine what it’s going to be like, I can anyhow.

page 4
I’m afraid next week is going to be rather tough on some of the boys as next
Monday we work until midnite then get up Tues. at 3 A.M. and march 8 miles
(they say) to artillery range where we participate in some kind of a problem.
Then Thursday, we start our 36 hr message center problem in the field.  That’s
36 hrs without sleep and all we have to eat is C rations.  The only good part
about that is it will be the end of Bivouac and we leave for Camp when it’s
over.  Then one more week and home - I hope.

page 5
And I hope you will be all prepared - rested up and so forth.  Oh yes, how
about junior and have you seen a doctor yet?

Well my dears, for now, this is all.  May get a chance to add a little sometime
before mailing.  If I don’t - bye and I’ll be seeing you both soon now.

Love, Daddy.

6.30 P.M.
Just have a minute before I fall out for guard duty.

page 6
Received six letters today[,] 3 from 110 St. Union.  Thanks very much for the
nice birthday cards.  One from Edith, one from Gladys, and one from
Mr. Chamberlin.  Must go.

Lots of love,
Daddy

Oh yes, Gladys seemed to think you are doing a

page 7
good job and was turning out to be a darn nice wife.  What all did you give her
anyhow?  Of course other people are just finding out what I have known for some
time.

GWS