09 Mar March 9, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
3-9-44, 9:20 PM.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Kinda late to be starting a letter but I had no chance at all yesterday and
won’t have tomorrow.  So it’s now or never for two days.  Today my KP duty
started.  I am through at 6:30 PM tomorrow.  Then after that our little
scrubbing duty until 11 P.M.  So tomorrow is going to be another big day.
However, that is rapidly getting to be the usual thing.  Last nite classes were
over at 8:30 P.M.  Just before dismissal about 30 of us were told to report to
some officer who interviewed us for about 5 minutes individually alphabetically.
Which meant that I was interviewed at 10:15.

page 2
I had placed a telephone call to you earlier in the day for 9 P.M.  I don’t
know what happened to it because I didn’t have a chance to get away.  None of
us know what the interview was for.  You never know anything in the army.  He
asked the same things we have all been asked about [a] dozen times already.
Today I was relieved of my asst squad leader duties.  We learned that we are
given a week’s trial a piece.  Then after everyone is given a chance[,] they
pick the squad leader who will be in charge the rest of the cycle.  It seems a
fair way to do it.

Finally got the package and everything was swell also the candy.  I can use
every bit of it.  Also got a very nice letter from Murray.  And it if [if it]
hadn’t been for his I would have drawn a blank for today.  Have to stop now[,]
lights out.  Love to you both,

Wes