11 Oct October 11, 1945

letter
from: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France
11 Oct 45 Thurs 3 PM

Dearest Alice and Ronnie,

You’d never guess what I’ve been doing so might as well get started telling
you.  Just in line with a little local celebration have just had a nice, large
drink of ice-cold champagne in an American olive jar.  Regardless of the
container, it’s not bad.  Liquor rations were passed out yesterday, so today
we drink.  Many last night.  Even the privates got some this time.  135 francs
for a bottle of champagne.  If I’m lucky, we will have a bottle to celebrate
our reunion too.  Don’t know just how I’m going to manage to get it there,
but I’m going to try.

Well I have three more days work and then something begins to happen.  Just
what I’m not sure yet, but it can’t be too bad.  Already we are packing,
disposing of all our stuff, and in general it’s beginning to look like
moving day.  Next week, will see the end of everything as far as the

16th depot is concerned in and

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around Compiegne.  Still am not sure about my status, but don’t think it is
going to be too bad.  At least I have my fingers crossed, and with a decent
break, I’m going to be very happy in the not too distant future.

Still no mail of any kind, and that makes a grand total of two letters from
you in the last two weeks, and none from anyone else.  Something terrible has
happened to our mailing system or else something has happened to you and
everyone else who has been writing me once in a while.

Last night was over to Peter’s house a few minutes, and again they insisted
that I come for dinner next Saturday night.  Since that probably will be my
last opportunity am going over.  This time, one of the boys in my room is
going with me.

Well I see some of the people back in the States have already forgotten there
ever was a war and that there are still thousands

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of men over here and in the South Pacific, that hadn’t been <? home> for a
year or two or three.  Boy those strikers in New York would have about one
chance in hell of surviving if some of these GIs over here could get at them.
I personally don’t care myself how much striking they do back there until
they start holding up the loading and unloading of ships.  Now that is going
too far and I for one, and there are plenty of others here, would gladly
wring their necks with my bare hands.  It sure must be hard for some of those
strikers to have to work for a change.  Especially when they are not drawing
down a couple hundred dollars a week.

Well it’s quitting time now as there has been numerous interruptions so guess
I’d better sign off and hope tomorrow brings a letter or two before I run
completely out of something to write about.

Love, Daddy

Friday 8am
Hello again:

Saw "Junior Miss" again last night.  Liked it as well as the first time.

Really a good show.  Afterwards played a little ping-pong and then to bed.
That’s about it for the day.  Nothing else new this morning.

So now all my love to you both.
Daddy