1955 10 9 Walter J. Schnack to Olive Schnack

This letter, written by my father to his mother, includes my baptism.  I've included scans for it baptism at the end of this post.  When he says about Donny is because my Uncle Don was in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in England at the time.

In addition to other names, the family names in this letter and their relationship to my father are:

• 'Mom' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, his mother and recipient of this letter
• 'Cindy Lou' is myself, Cindy Lou Schnack Arsenault Coffell, his daughter
• 'Irene' was Irene Orvetta Cole Schnack Speer, his wife
• 'Chuck' is Charles Elbert Rose, his cousin
• 'Betty' is Elizabeth Ann Olmsted Rose, Chuck's wife
• 'Donny' was Donald Everett Cole, his brother-in-law
• 'Kathy' was Katharine Rose Schnack Jones Gall Hammon, his sister
• 'Eddie' was Edward Alexander Schnack, his brother
• 'Mother' was Ruth Elma Harder Cole, his mother-in-law
• 'Jake' was Walter J. Schnack, himself and author of this letter 

9 Oct. 1955
Kitzingen, Germany

Dear Mom,

Well, I hope you don't drop over in a faint but here I am writing you another letter again so soon.  We are still in very good health and Cindy Lou is getting cuter every day.  I know you'd like to get your hands on her but it looks to me as if you'd have to be in New York when we dock if you do.  I am going straight to Fort Riley.  We are supposed to arrive in New York on December 2nd and they will give me 6 days to go to Riley.  I figure maybe two or three days to get there and 3 days to find a place to live around Fort Riley.  I guess we will stay one night with Jerry Houlihan (Cornish) and her husband.  He is with finance at Riley.  If Fort Knox is so far from my route I won't even stop off there.  I could make it home for maybe 24 hours but I'd rather wait a couple of months or so and then come home for 15 or 20 days.  If I came home for 1 day we would be tired and busy because we couldn't be at both houses at the same time and I, for one, don't want, and won't stand for, any hard feelings.  I know we would be tired and still have a long trip ahead of us.  So, we plan on going straight to Riley and then I'll take a leave as soon as its possible.  Gee, I guess the Lincoln is costing more than I thought. After Dad sees his agent in Worcester, try Farm Bureau and compare prices.  5-10-5 is enough for Post tags but if

I can't get it I'll have to take more.  If I have to pay so much I sure hope its not assigned risks, but being as I'm only a soldier supposedly defending our country, I'll probably be a big risk and will cost more.  Mom, I have a big favor to ask and I can't be mad if you can't do it.  As I stated before, the Army has messed up my pay and we are on thin ice.  Could you get my insurance, license, etc. and bring the car to New York? I could pay you as soon as I get it or so much a month if that is alright with you.  As of now, the government owes me $404.30 which you might say I've saved since Irene came over because they have taken that much out of my pay and now I'm waiting for checks covering it.  I really hate to ask you for a favor like that but I'm hurting until I get paid at Riley or the Army sends me my money.
 Chuck and Betty will come up tomorrow for the last time before we come home and Sunday they are standing up with us for Cindy Lou's baptism.  We'll have some pictures to send you.  We haven't taken too many recently.  No money for film and bulbs.  I think its real nice to be able to see Chuck and Betty.  I wish and hope Donny and us can get together before we come back because if he doesn't, it could easily be seven years before we see each other again.  I'm glad to hear Kathy is doing so well and is turning into such a nice young lady as you described.  I, too, hope they keep Eddie in the Navy.  Of course, maybe they can help him in the hospital.  If they try and don't do any good, he'll at least be eligible for a pension.  I see no reason why they shouldn't take him.  I don't believe he is

much worse shape than I was when I came into the Army.  As long as you get around without complaining you usually have it made.  I started out on a touch football team in the company and dislocated a shoulder which is okay now.  I got in a fight last Saturday night and had my false teeth broke so I'm a terrible looking thing now.  Irene had her hair cut and cold waved today and she sure looked good when I went home for supper.  It's the first time she's had anything for herself since we were married.  I have to get her some clothes somehow because she sure needs them.  I'm on C.Q. (Charge of Quarters) tonight.  So, I'll be off tomorrow morning and then when I wake up maybe Chuck and Betty will be there.  Well Mom, I hope to hear from you soon as to whether you can swing my insurance, etc. and if you will meet us in New York or have the Lincoln there or what because I'll have to find a way soon.  Well, I'll sign off and maybe Irene will add a post script.

Love to all,
Jake

P.S.
Sorry your card is so late.  I guess Jake said about all there is to say.  I sent Mother a list of things to put in the Lincoln when it comes to New York City.  So, have the car down there to be loaded up about the night before.  Chuck and Betty were up this past weekend

and we had Cindy Lou christened.  I'm sending you one of the bulletins.

Love,
Irene, Jake and Cindy Lou

Morning Worship bulletin - Christening of Cindy Lou Schnack

Certificate of Baptism - Cindy Lou Schnack

In this photograph, taken at the pulpit of the Harvey Barracks Chapel, from left to right are, Charles Elbert Rose, Walter J. Schnack, Chaplain Ervin L. Shirey, Irene Orvetta Cole Schnack holding Cindy Lou Schnack, and Elizabeth Ann Olmsted Rose.