12 Oct October 12, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Oct. 12, 1944
Thurs. 3 p.m.
Noteworthy: Dad longs to be there for Christmas.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

A Big day today - Six letters - the first in at least ten days.  Three from you,
one from Dick <? Wesselius> at Sterling, one from Aunt Perkins at Raub, and one
from Brandts telling me the buyer of the lot has backed out.  The three from
you were dated Sept. 19, 20, and 21st.  Since the last one I had received from
you before today was dated Sept. 9th[,] that means there must be a few on the
road somewhere.  Six letters really makes one feel pretty darn good I can tell
you and after two days of very miserable rainy weather I can certainly stand
some good morale building.  The rain has caused us to take things a little easy
so [I] have a lot of time to write you a nice long letter. Since

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I received no mail yesterday I didn’t feel like writing last night[,] so due to
that fact and the extra time on my hands[,] will try to make this one make up
for yesterday.  Your grip[e] about it taking 16 days for some of my letters to
reach you - boy would I be happy if I just received one one letter from you only
16 days old.  I am glad that you get them much faster than I.  Maybe you need a
morale booster more than I do.  Although I doubt it very much.  As for them
sending me to four different camps, well that’s still very much a mystery to
me too.  But I am not worrying about it as long as I remain in England.

From what you say, you must have sent me about ten packages.  I have received
only the three I told you about.  The picture, the large box with the tobacco
pouch in it, and the one small box of candy.  Certainly hope I get some more of
them before shipping out of here.

page 3
I mailed your package yesterday.  Certainly glad Ronnie got his books.  As I
told you[,] I just took a chance and had this sales lady mail it for me.  By
the way, what you say was correct.  I was only a quarter mile away from there.
Of course I am some distance East of there now.  So far I have had no
opportunity to buy you a fountain pen.  Sorry to hear about Elinor.  Certainly
hope she is well now and back with you.  [I] Suppose you miss her in more ways
than one.  As for this E Stokburger in Glen Ellyn grabbing all the business or
something, that doesn’t worry me.  Competition only makes a person work the
harder and I don’t care how good he is he can’t get all the business.  As for
wanting to know where I am now, when you get the package be sure you read the
enclosed newspapers very closely.

page 4
I have been looking for a truck or train or something for Ronnie <? door> since
arriving here.  But if you think buying toys is tough back home[,] you should
try it here once.  Their toys of such nature ae made of cheap card board and
paper and I see very few of those.  From the number of pairs of shoes you say
he is wearing out playing with trains and trucks maybe you should steer his
talents to some other line.  On the other hand maybe you had better let him
have his fun - to hell with the shoes.  Boy do I wish I could at least be there
Christmas and see him and see what Santa Claus brings him.

Dick <? Wesselius> wants to bet me I’ll be home by Mar. 1st.  From the way
things look now I would be plenty satisfied with that date.  Of course if I
make it earlier that would be plenty alright.  Time out.  They just brought me
another letter, this one from

page 5

Hayes dated Sept, 18th.  Guess this is my day at last.  She didn’t have much to
say except some news.  Mentioned that Mr. Cauble had been there and you had
invited him over for dinner and he had to leave or something.  Couldn’t quite
figure it out as you haven’t said anything about it in any of the letters so
far.  [G]uess I’ll have to wait on some back mail.

So Ronnie gets a new pair of size <? 3> 1/2 shoes and Mommie a new suit.  Guess
we can afford a few clothes once in a while just as long as you wear them to the
right places.  Certainly glad to hear Ronnie is eating so well.  How much does
he weigh now[?]  As for eating more than his Daddy - well you should see me eat.
Also glad to hear you are doing a little better too.  Why don’t you try going
to bed a little earlier too, maybe that will help.  In a way I’m glad you gave
up the nite school idea as it would probably mean more work and [it] sounds
like you are doing about enough.

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[This is] The first I had heard about Dewey’s idea of soldiers not voting.  Are
you sure you have the right dope there?  I wouldn’t worry too much about any
secret weapon Hitler may may have.  Anyhow he didn’t show anything Oct. 1st.
It does look like they are going to be plenty tough from now on in though.

[I] Suppose you received my letters asking for a wool sweater and scarf.  If
not they would be mighty convenient these cold days.  Guess I have done pretty
well in the clothing line in all other respects.  Have you sent the films yet?
Size 120.

Dick <? Wesselius> didn’t have much news.  Said Eggie had been there a couple
hours and looked well.  I still haven’t heard from him.  Complained about them
being so busy and that his farm had been a flop this year.

Anna Perkins son, Kenneth is stationed on the USS Alabama some

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where in the So. Pacific.  I thought it very nice of her writing.  You remember
she is the widow whose home we visited the night that time we were in Raub.
This kenneth is the one that had to get married just before going into the navy.
She said he wants to get back home - don’t we all.

Well my dears, enough for now[,] may add a little more later before mailing this
later.

8 P.M.
Just saw a free show, "Murder on Broadway" or something.  Just a fair show but
at least a diversion.  It has cleared up tonite and the stars are out real
bright.  Every time I look at the big dipper over here I think of home.  The
Big Dipper is very bright from here and always seems so close.  Always, when I
look at it I remember how easy it is to see it from our front door and how many
times i have stood out there and looked at it.

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It is certainly hard to believe that I can see the same thing and it looks
exactly the same some four thousand miles away.  They say we must have bad
to enjoy the good.  Well here’s one young man who has already had enough of
the bad to give him nothing but good the rest of my life.  That’s what I have
to look forward to and my dear, you needn’t worry about me doing anything now
to  spoil all that good that I have coming.  You just be sure and save it all
up for me too and then all three of us, some day, will be able to enjoy what we
all know we deserve.  So with that I will close and get after some of my
evening chores before retiring.  Besides the boys want me to get back in the
poker game now in progress.  They would like to get back some of their money
I have.

All my love to you both and I’m just waiting for the day I get on that boat

headed for N.Y.
Daddy