17 Mar March 17, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
March 17th, 1944
1:00a.m. Friday/Saturday

Hi Sweetheart,

Eleanor is keeping me company reading today’s paper, altho she’s raring to go
to bed and rest her weary bones.  We just came home from the Chicago Theater
where we saw Kay Kayser [Kyser] in "Swing Fever".  Glenn Gray band was on the
stage with a floor show.  I don’t care much for Kayser [Kyser], but the picture
wasn’t too bad.

About 1/2 an hr before we were ready to leave [the theater], Eleanor discovered
she had lost her shoe under the seat somewhere.  We tried locating it ourselves
for a good 1/2 hr, and Eleanor was frantic as she had visions of going home on
the IC with only one shoe on.  The fellow sitting next to her said he’d heard
of things like that in the funnies, but didn’t think he’d actually see it
happen.  I finally went to get an usher and flashlight.  Couldn’t find an usher
anywhere and by the time I did I took him down the wrong aisle and had to try
the next aisle.

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I wanted to know how come a shoe got under the seat.  We finally found it and
all was well.  I sure had a good laugh out of it, and so did Eleanor.

When we got home we had French toast and coffee, and as soon as I finishe this
I’m going to bed sure.

Ronnie didn’t make a fuss when we left tonight.  I guess he’s getting confident
that I won’t desert him after all.

I splurged today.  Went up on the Avenue and bought 4 cups.  We had broken one
and as you know the other is sadly cracked.  They were a quarter apiece.
Eleanor couldn’t believe it that we actually have more than one cracked cup now.
We also broke the top to the Cary coffee maker again.  Neither one of us know
when it happened.  I noticed it at noon and Eleanor said it was cracked when
she used it in the morning, so I don’t know.

We may get tickets for "Something for the Boys" with Joan Blandell [Vivian
Blaine] for next Sat matinee.  It’s supposed to be very good, I hear.

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Tomorrow night I’m going to stay home.  Or should I say tonight (Sat.).
Eleanor is going by herself to see, "This is the Army" at the State.  I’ve
already seen it, so will just stay home and write to my hubby instead.  I also
have some sewing I can do for Ronnie.

I’m glad to hear you got the glasses.  I worried so about you going without
them.  They got there sooner than I thought, as they were mailed Sat. nite at
8:00 o’clock.  I mailed them at the Post office, which helped some.

I called Roseland News about your Tribune and they told me to call the Tribune
and it seems they had your name all wrong.  They had it spelled Shankmeuller or
something. Said they would rectify the error and extend the subscription that
much longer for you.  I’m sorry this happened as I subscribed for you on March
6th.  Please let me know if you want the Sunday edition also or not.

I haven’t written Norma yet thanking her for Ronnie’s and my gift

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but will try to get it done tomorrow sure.

When Ronnie plays with his soldier dolly now, he tells everybody that it’s a
"soldier boy like Daddy."  I can’t wait to see the look in his face when he
sees you in uniform.

Would you like to have one of these apron kits for your toilet articles?  If
so, let me know or anything else you might want.

Tried to buy some Health Spot shoes for Ronnie, but they haven’t had any since
Xmas.  I’ll have to get him something else, I guess.

Guess I’ll sign off now and give you some rest from this scribbling.  Besides
I’m half asleep now.  Eleanor already went to bed.

Adios darling, and think of me often and behave yourself and save all your love
for Ronnie and Mommy.

Love always,
Mommy and Ronnie

P.S.
Murray got his 4-F yesterday until August.
Tom Schanatna  is supposed to hear how he came out tonight.

P.S.
Scandal - Eleanor saw Vince White out with a gal from the plant Wed. night
And he didn’t show up for work Thurs.  His wife is expecting another Baby in
June and he is leaving for the Air Corp next Friday -- "THE LOUSE"