23 May May 23, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
5-23-44, 7 p.m. Tues

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Had a long day today but nothing much to do tonight except go to bed early as
we all are going to do as we arise at 4.30 a.m.  Since we were up at 4.30 a.m.
this morning too and I didn’t do much sleeping while in bed last night, I
really planned to hit the hay early.

It is raining here now -  hard -  and has been raining hard for over an hour.
This is one day we were lucky we were dismissed tonight just as it started.
That saved us two hours work drying our rifles.  Before I forget it, I think
I have some colored glases around there someplace, the kind that clamp over
my regular glasses, if you can find them please send them down along with the
other stuff.  This sun down here nearly kills my eyes.

Page two.
Received a nice six-page letter from you tonight.  Didn’t figure out whether
you were being nice to me or trying to smooth out your trip to Pullman dance.
Anyway, I appreciated it and as for the dance -  that was alright too as long
as you say you did behave yourself.  But I guess you must have.  Sounds like
the boys are still pulling down the <? doe> at Pullman.  All I can say is, it
must be nice.  As for you going back there for a short time  or permanently -
the answer is definitely NO.  Money or no money.  I think you have more than
enough to do right where you are.  And if you continue to do as good a job
there - for my money - you are being a damn sight more patriotic than the rest.
You think making $600 to $1300 a month is being patriotic[?]  If it was then
patriotic people would turn all that money[,] except for living requirements,
over to some low relief fund or something.  Nix on the patriots stuff.  That’s
gone with the wind, as far as I am concerned and most everyone

page 3.
else too, I think.

The grass catcher on the lawn mower will work if you know how.  It may be that
the hook or hooks at the bottom of the mower by the wooden roller have gotten
bent so they won’t hold the grass catcher correctly.  If they have, take a pair
of pliers and bend them out straight again.  The thing always worked before,
and if it isn’t broke, I am sure it will now.  As for the grass falling
forward, that’s because you hold the handle up too high.

So Betty is coming to Chicago to gain weight - or something.  Doesn’t sound
right to me.  Must be some other reason.  However she is very nice and not at
all like Edith.  She is also very broad minded and I am sure you will like her
if you get a chance to

page 4
really get acquainted.  She was or is my pick of the lot.

Haven’t received any snaps as yet - what ever they are.  Hope Eleanor and
Dickie arrived O.K. and you are having a good time.  Kinda crowded around there
wasn’t it?

Sounds like the women next door is a real bitch on legs.  I certainly wouldn’t
put up with much of her foolishness.

I am enclosing some pictures taken recently.  The fellow who took them for us
didn’t hold the camera right as they aren’t so good.  Please keep them
altogether as someday I may want to look at them again.

Well Ronnie, how are you doing today and did you have a big time playing with
all the other little boys around there?  Are you taking good care of Mommy
and Eleanor for me.  You make them both be good now and tell them not to work
too hard.

With lots of love,
Daddy