23 Sep September 23, 1945

letter
from: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France
23 Sept. 45
Sun 4 P.M.
Noteworthy: Dad’s hopes are raised about coming home. Dad considers going into
business with Dick Hacker.

Dearest Alice and Ronnie,

Received two letters today, none yesterday.  The ones today were both very nice.
One was from you mailed the 17th of Sept.  and the other from Dick.  He is now
at Fort Bragg, N. Carolina.  He’s also a T5, or I suppose you already knew.

Well since writing you last, much of importance has happened and my hopes once
more are raised.  It’s possible now that I may yet make it home for Christmas.
Probably the most important happening was the announcement that we are to get a
flat eight points after all.  That makes me a total of 60 points and definitely
means I’ll be home at least one month sooner.  Because it was announced in
today’s S[tars] & S[tripes] that men with 45 to 59 points would be held for
doing out forces.  Which means many of them won’t to get home until next June.
The same paper also announces that they would start sending 60-point men home
in December.  Since I’m now in that category my hopes have raisen considerably
for bringing Ronnie that Christmas tree yet.

Notwithstanding all this good news I think I will still go ahead with my
application for an emergency return to the States.  That is of course

page 2
if things have been going right along those lines back there.  If successful
and I only get out a week earlier it would be worth it, I think.

Now you see my morale is about 100% higher for the first time in many a day.
And it’s about time too because I was getting pretty damn low.

Dick wrote me a nice letter and mentioned that if I was still interested would
like to work with me if I go into business.  You will remember I mentioned it
to him some time ago.  I really think he would do all right.  I know he’s not
afraid to work and has enough sense of responsibility that I could go away at
times and know that things would be under control and in complete trust.  That’s
more than I would be absolutely sure of with some of the others that have
mentioned that they would like to go in with me.  The only trouble, he probably
will have to remain in the army for a while yet.  On the other hand, still [I]
believe they will release men with two years service with children so he should
be getting out in six months.  It will take me some time to get started myself
so don’t believe that will make too much difference.

page 3
Today is a rainy, miserable day.  We’ve been playing cards most of the
afternoon.  I slept all morning.  The weather is still usually very nice but
quite cool in the evenings.  Really, France’s weather is very satisfactory as
far as I’m concerned.  Of course I missed the worst two months last winter so
don’t know how winter really is.  Don’t think it is too bad if one isn’t living
in a foxhole or a pup tent.  And I don’t think there will be any more of that
for some time.

Now for the biggest and best rumor yet.  This is a very strong rumor and still
without actual confirmation but it’s very likely to be true.  As long as it’s a
rumor, I am considering it as such but it could come true.  This is it.  The
depot is to finish Oct. 19th.  After that we will close up and go back to the
States as a unit.  Now if that really comes true, I’ll make it by Christmas
with some to spare.  That’s the latest and best rumor yet so now you have it.

Keep plugging.  I’ll make it yet.

The articles on building were very encouraging and just lead me to believe more
and more that Glen Ellen probably will be a good bet.  Glad you finally bought
your suit.  Too bad I can’t

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send you some money to pay for it.  But can’t right now.  Even though I have
it.  Maybe I’ll be able to bring it home with me.  I see no reason why Ronnie
couldn’t take some kind of music or dancing lssons.  Especially music.  I know
it won’t hurt him and I am anxious that he at least learn to play a piano.  He
apparently likes music so should get along alright.  No, I’m not too anxious
to sell the house right now nor the car.  I’d think we will need both for a
little while yet.  I can understand your ideas about it but guess you can
stand it all a few months more can’t you?  Maybe someday we will both get
everything we want.  Guess we have waited long enough for a few of the better
things of life.

Well it’s chow time now so guess I’ll send you and Ronnie all my love and
perhaps some time in the next three or four weeks can give you some definite
information on coming home.

The Sgt. in this room (the one who went off his <? wit>) left for home today.
He was released from the hostipal last nite.  Not well but well enough to leave
I guess.  At least he is gone.  Just another non-battle casualty thanks to the
Army and a weak will.

Love to you both,
Daddy