1955 9 17 Walter J. Schnack to Olive Schnack

My father writes to his mother about moving stateside in this letter.

The people mentioned in this letter and their relationship to him are:

• 'Mom' or was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, his mother
• 'Cindy Lou' is Cindy Lou Schnack Arsenault Coffell, his daughter
• 'Dad' was Jochim Walter Schnack, his father
• 'Daddy' or 'Jake' was Walter J. Schnack, himself
• 'Irene' was Irene Orvetta Cole Schnack Speer, his wife
• 'Eddie' was Edward Alexander Schnack, his brother
• 'Kathy' was Katharine Rose Schnack Jones Gall Hammon, his sister
• 'Viv' was Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope, his sister

Kitzingen, Germany
17 Sep 1955

Dear Mom and all,

Gee, its been a long time since I've sat down and wrote you a letter, but its a lot easier and you probably get more letters this way because if you depended on me, I'd bet a couple weeks go by before I wrote again.  We are all fine and Cindy Lou is as cute as can be.  She put in to take a furlough as soon as she gets to the States to see her Grandmas and Grandpas but I turned it down because I need her too much where I'm at.  I told her she might get one in January and she said that would have to do.  I guess the only way for everybody to see her would be to get to New York when we arrive.  (Somebody will have to bring the Lincoln because I want to go straight to Fort Riley.  I can't get a leave until after Christmas anyway.  She'll really be a big girl by the time you see her.  It seems as though she does something new every day.  She is like a cuddly bear and I like to hold her.  I'm afraid her Daddy will spoil her if he isn't careful.  What did you think of the pictures of her?  She's getting as fat as I am and her clothes don't fit her for long.  I know now what a job it is to have a family.

What is there yet to do on the Lincoln?  As far a I know, we should arrive in New York around Thanksgiving.  Would you, in your next letter, send me the following costs:

1. Garage Bill
2. License for 1/2 or 1/4 year (whichever I can get)
3. 5-10-5 Insurance for 3 months

I hope I can get a 1/4 year license because I'll only use it to drive to Kansas.  As for insurance, if you can't get 5-10-5, I'll drive it there without any.  I might get more when I get there because its cheaper.  I hope it doesn't cost me too much to get to Kansas.  We have been just barely getting by because they made a mistake in my pay and I now have the government owing me $648.40.  I hope they get it straight soon.  I had to do with quarters allowance which was supposed to stop when Irene got here.  I guess we'll find a place to live in Manhattan, Kansas.  Jerry Houlihan nee Cornish lives there.  He is at Fort Riley finance.  How is everything in Milford?  How did Eddie make out with the Navy?  I imagine he stands a good chance being as how they are drafting men into the Navy.  How is Kathy getting along in school this year?  How do you like working in Milford instead of Portlandville?

How's business at the shop?  Ask Dad if he would make a route for me to Fort Riley from New York City via Fort Knox, Kentucky.  I would like to go over the Pennsylvania turnpike.  It should be a good road.  I'll sign off and let Irene add whatever she wants.

Love, Jake

The most important thing is to tell Viv to hurry up about those dishes if she wants them.  Our household goods are packed October 3rd.  Then I'll be without a washing machine.  I'll have to go back to washing every day then.  I won't be able to do Jake's work clothes.

Cindy Lou weighs 16 pounds 7 ounces now.  She has more than doubled her birth weight now.  She had done that last month, 14-6 1/2.  She sure is getting big.  I'm going to get her some overalls next month and I have to get her a snowsuit, too.  As soon as we get to the States we'll have to buy a crib for her, too.  She's getting noisy, too, always talking or yelling.  She's just found out how to yell.  She smiles at everything.

Jake is on guard today.  He had it Friday night, too.

I guess I'd better close and get Cindy Lou ready for bed.  It sure helped me by Jake writing for a change.  I have felt so lazy the past week that all I've done is cook, wash, iron, and take care of Cindy Lou.  I haven't done any cleaning, just a little straightening up in the house.

Love to all,
Irene, Jake, and Cindy Lou

P.S.
I'm sorry the card is so late.