02 May May 2, 1945

letter
from: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkweiler.
2 May 1945, France, 6.30 p.m.,

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Received four nice letters from you today.  These letters were dated
April 16th, 17th, and 19th.  Things are getting much better. They are
still addressed to my last camp.  But since I didn’t give you this address
until last week, I can hardly expect to get any from this address yet.

Glad you took Ronnie to see Dr. DeYoung.  Haven’t gotten a letter yet
telling how you came out, but a checkup is always a good thing.  You
were lucky getting an appointment so soon. Why are you sleeping on the
rear porch?  You mustn’t worry about me getting tired of your chatter
and your letters.  I’m always glad to read anything you have to say,
especially anything about what you and Ronnie are doing.  As for me
getting tired of it when I get home, well, that’s something else again
-- you know I’m an awfully good listener but a very poor conversationalist.
Of course there are times when I have things on my mind, but not

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always.

I am enclosing today’s S&S. Believe it speaks for itself.  You see
Hitler’s death has caused much more concern and talk than Roosevelt’s.
Why?  Because it means the end of the war and the end of the war is all
we are interested in right now.  Everyone thinks it’s just a matter of
announcing the date now.  I think everyone will be very much surprised
if the end didn’t come this week -- at long last.  No one can figure out
yet just what the end will mean to us and our chances of coming home
but there has never been as many rumors.  I’m not speculating, but
certainly hope it will definitely mean the end of army life for me
sometime in the near future.  I am in a position now to get the news a
little ahead of time but as far as for that only adds to all the confusion.

Am writing early tonight because there is a GI show downtown at 8 p.m..
I am

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going and taking Peter and his family.  Certainly hope it is a good show.

Am getting along fine at work. I think I’d be awfully <? glum> and lazy
if I weren’t. It is a little hard on my eyes though. Right now they are
hurting considerably.  I’m getting fat though and believe soon at this
rate will weigh more than I ever have.

About time to go now so this is it for today.  Or now.  May add a line or
two after the show if it’s not too late.

Lots of love,
Daddy.

Later: The show was very good.  Told you wrong about taking the French.
That’s for a musical show tomorrow night.  Anyhow this show tonight was a
hot GI band and a couple three good specialty numbers.  Very entertaining
and the band was really good.  Looks like the army has much of the State’s
entertainment talent.  Will say one thing for this place, it certainly
doesn’t lack for entertainment.  All free too of course.

Wes.