26 Sep September 26, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Sept. 26, 1944
Tues. 6:15 P.M.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

I have just finished eating and since I got three letters from you tonight,
guess I’ll get started on an answer now.  These letters were dated September
1st, 2nd, and 6th and told me of receiving my cablegram.  Also, the bawling out
for having the wrong date, I still say it must be the 29th.  But suppose you are
right.  You should know these letters were numbered 2, 3, and 5.  Suppose when
I receive letter number 1, I’ll know what the numbers mean until then, I’ll
have to guess.  Anyhow it was very nice hearing from you and learning things
are alright even though it sounds like you did have rather a lonesome time of
it over Labor Day.  Can’t understand Gladys.  You and she didn’t have a falling
out over something, have you?  As yet, I haven’t heard from her myself, so am
ignorant of anything that may have happened.  Haven’t received your anniversary
card.

page 2
Suppose it has been delayed somewhere along the line.  As for the dinner,
drinks and on from there - well I thought about it and will most certainly see
that we make up for lost time next year - and sooner, too.

Is Oralee really going to Washington.  Hope she doesn’t just get out there
and then Fred get moved.  Did you get your five dollars you mentioned
paying the taxes and insurance, how about the garage bill?  I’m glad to know
you are able to keep the bills paid even though it is a little hard going.  I
get twenty percent more pay here which means $60.00 instead of $50.00.  From
that I pay $7.10 ins. $22.00 allotment and $15.00 for bonds.  Which leaves me
$15.90.  Not much and if I stay at this camp very much longer and continue to
run around as much as I have been[,] will run out someday.  However I have
about $18.00 on hand and will get paid again Sat.  Guess that will tide me over
for a while longer.  You mentioned your typewriter money[,] what[,]

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did you do sell it?  And why?  The peak hat you mentioned was borrowed for the
occasion.  Don’t forget to send me those (120) rolls of film.  As many as you
can get.  Your number three letter mentioned what I am doing here in the way of
training and what I am.  You are right on all counts but nothing to worry about.
At least not yet because I am still a long way from actual combat and still
have to be assigned to a division.  [I] Still have a chance to get in my line
when and if I am ever assigned to a division.  At least that is what they tell
us.  Personally I still don’t believe I’ll ever see combat unless things take a
turn for the worse, which can happen, especially so after the rather
discouraging news of the last few days.  Certainly was sorry to hear about
Sally and Ray’s friend "Dutch." They didn’t waste any time getting him into
combat.  He was originally trained as a rifle man I believe.  But that does

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seem to make a difference as they are not kept here for further training.
At least all the ones I know wasn’t [weren’t].  You mentioned a five pound box
you sent me.  I received one box about that large, it had the tobacco pouch and
candy in it.  The candy was very good, especially the rock candy and caramel
nuts

10 PM.
Just back from my nightly glass of milk and from watching the dance at the Red
Cross for a while.  I also had some coffee and doughnuts with Rosen and his
girlfriend.  Yes I was alone.  Rosen is the fellow Elinor (or somebody)
thought was the only good looking guy in our hut.  He is Jewish and married and

has a little girl but guess he looks at things a little differently than I do.
He says everything is strictly on the level but from the looks of that Irish
gal he had I don’t know.  Anyhow, I feel much better coming back here and
finishing this

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letter tonite than staying at the dance and probably getting myself involved.
For some reason I always keep thinking of a couple very nice people at 110th
and Union ave that I know where I would rather keep thinking that I’m pretty
nice guy and is doing what’s right.

As for the conditions at this, my fourth camp since arriving in England, I can
truthfully say that it is by far better than the other three camps in every
respect, food, toilet facilities, lodging, etc.  It’s about 75 miles east of my
first camp.

So Ronnie eats with pictures of pretty girls beside him,  Boy, he doesn’t take
that from me.  I can eat with or without the pretty gals.  At least I can over
here.  So you are going to nite school - or are you?  As for the Glenn Ellen
deal that’s

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entirely up to you.  If you don’t think it would work, just forget about it[,]
especially so if Elinor continues to stay with you.

Well, my dear, I’m practically the only one still up and it’s about time for
the lights to go out so had better sign off.

Certainly was glad to here you got six letters from me at once.  [I] Can’t
imagine why my letters should come that way but that’s the way I get yours so
guess the same trouble happens to us both.

Bye for now my dears and give Ronnie a big hug and kiss for me.

All my love to you both,
Daddy