05 Mar March 5, 1945

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Private George W. Shonkwiler
March 5, 1945, Monday 10:10 p.m.

Hi Honey,

I just finished a V-mail to you so that you’ll get it possibly before you
leave the replacement depot. Altho when I think of it, guess you won’t
because in today’s letter dated Feb. 22nd, you mentioned being alerted and
expecting to leave momentarily.

One reason for my writing this is because I want to enclose a letter of
Norma’s plus a letter returned to me which I had sent you last Aug. It
took them six months to discover they couldn’t find you. This is the 3rd
letter that has been returned to me dated in Aug. I wonder how many have
gone completely astray and boxes too. Is there anything I can do to check
on the boxes I’ve sent? I heard of a woman here who wrote to the commanding
officer at each APO address she

page 2
had from her son and asked the CO to check on any boxes sent to her boy
and gave his new address. Do you think I should do this too or would it be
a waste of time and effort?  Think it’s worth a trial?

I thank you in tonight’s V-MAIL for Ronnies’ and my gifts.  But they’re
worth another thank you so thanks again. Just don’t spend money on us that
you need for your own welfare.

I’m glad you enclosed the letter with the compact and puzzles as it was not
censored at all. Guess when the censor saw all the adhesive tape, he decided
to pass it up.  At last now I know you were in Birmingham on Feb. 22nd.

      intermission.
11:55 P.M.

I just finished having coffee, sandwiches and cookies upstairs. I have pretty
nice neighbors don’t

page three
you think?

Tippi (our little unwanted puppy) is still with us, altho I’ve spent $1.50
on ads for him. Now Ronnie is having so much fun with him, it’s going to be
hard giving it up. It’s the mongrel of the mongrels as it’s black, brown
and white with very short hair.  It’s cute tho and is such a lovable pup.
Right now he’s all snuggled up under my left arm and so contented.  Judy
and the pup have more fun chasing each other around the room and between
Ronnie and Judy and Tippi, this house is a wreck all the time.

I hear by the radio the temperature has dropped to 34 degrees and is very,
very windy.

You said in your letter you have a very bad cold, I’m worried about you.
Now be careful as it might

page four
turn into pneumonia if you’re not careful.  I also have a cold and have had
it for several days.  At night I get feverish and my throat gets so sore I
get out of bed and take aspirins and gargle and feel lousy all morning.  In
the afternoon I feel better and by night I get sick all over again.  I’m
starting to cough too but only once in a while. A couple days in bed might
help but you can just see me doing that.

After dinner tonight I cut out 2 of my wash dresses.  Now all I have to do
is sew ’em.  Out of the other piece of material I have, I think I’ll make
a robe or house coat.  It’s too bad you can’t be here to see me decked out
in it when I have breakfast in the morning.

You mentioned being put in a company with a group of

page five
entertainers. What are you going to do?  Entertain WACs?  I can’t figure it
out if, as you say, you have completely forgotten how to play the clarinet.
What became of the "Message Center" work you were going to do in France?
Or was that just a rumor?  Whatever you do, eventually, I hope you won’t get
into a combat zone again.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed and Ronnie and
I are still praying every night that Daddy will come home soon, safe and
sound.  May that prayer be answered.

I’m going to end this letter soon so I can go to bed and relax.

I tried to get Ipana toothpaste for you the other day but no luck. I did
buy Barbasol and will send a box as soon as I get a more permanent address
and

page six
a request from you.  Do you want more powders now, as long as you’re out of
the doctor’s care now?  Let me know.  Also let me know of anything else I
might send you.   Did you ever get the long-sleeved wool sweater and muffler
I sent last October?  If not that was a good sum of money gone to waste.
Maybe you’ll get it in July.  Should come in handy then.

Well good night darling and may you have lots of luck and here’s a nice big
kiss and a softly whispered "Goodnight, I love you".

Love,
Mom and Ronnie.

P.S.
I also saw "Going my Way" some time ago. I liked it too.
Thank you.