22 May May 22, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
5-22-44, 7 p.m.
Noteworthy: more on boot camp workout

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Will take a few minutes while waiting for inspection to dash off a few lines.
We had a rather slow day today, so they decided to inspect all of our GI
clothing to see if we had it all marked.  You see, all of our clothing has to
be marked a certain way with our serial number.  It sounds easy, but try to
write with indelible ink, 5 numbers in about 100 pieces of clothing, and you
will see what I mean.  It just happened that I had most of mine done, so I am
taking it a little easy, at least until the inspector comes around and finds
that I haven’t got it done right.

According to schedule the rest of the week is going to be plenty tough with
lots of marching - We are out on ranges most of the week.  In all we put in a
58-hour week actually working

page 2.
in the field.  Besides that, of course we have all our other work.  Oh well,
only a little over four weeks to go now.  It’s not so far off at that.

Your little poem was very nice and pretty good.  Maybe you missed your calling
at that.  Just be darn sure that you don’t forget what you said in it.

Certainly was too bad about Mrs. Vanderberg.  Just be darn sure nothing like
that ever happens to you or Ronnie.  Things are bad enough as it is without
something like that ever happening.  That’s what I am afraid of - you doing so
much housecleaning -  putting up screens - mowing yard and so on.  You have to
be pretty tough to do all that and get away without any after effects -  A
word to the wise you know.

Co C across the way from us is finishing their cycle this week.  May learn a
little from them next week what may happen to us in a little over a month.  The
rumors sure fly thick and fast and everyone is different.

page 3.
The picture of Ronnie sleeping with his daddy was alright -  only Ronnie is
better looking and sweeter than that little boy.

So you were out prowling around Saturday night - well.

Received a letter from A. Evers today.  He has just been transferred from Camp
Grant to some hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.  He is taking special training in
x-ray.  Says it is a four months course and when he gets through will get some
kind of rating.  Says it is pretty tough but likes it alright.  He wants to see
me but it is over 300 miles to Atlanta.  So I don’t know how it can be managed
as we are only allowed to go 100 miles from camp.  If he has the same
restrictions we can’t quite make it.

Well, my dear, I have things to do.  So had better get started.  How is Ronnie
and the neighbors getting along also, all the other boys in the block?
Has your Victory Garden started coming up yet?  You had better have something
nice for me by the time I get home.  Oh yes - if I get to come home - I will
need about $50 for a railroad ticket - just a <? bad> little reminder.  Suppose
that will have to come out of the bank, too.  Oh well I might not get home
again for some time, so I guess it will be worth it -  maybe.

Bye now and my dears and don’t work too hard or get into too much trouble.

With lots of love to you both,
 Daddy.

P.S., oh yes, if you can buy some citronella or <? seat> send me some for
Bivouac. There is something else I want but I can’t think of it.

GWS