1956 5 17 Walter J. Schnack to Olive Schnack

My father is looking forward to visits from family members and tells his mother of the heat in the Mojave Desert and Death Valley.

Family names in this letter and their relationship to my father are:

• 'Mom' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, his mother
• 'Mrs. Cole' was Ruth Elma Harder Cole, his mother-in-law
• 'Tinker' is Margaret Elizabeth Cole Gray, his sister-in-law
• 'Irene' was Irene Orvetta Cole Schnack Speer, his wife
• 'Aunt Roxey' was Mildred Roxey McNeilly Perry, his wife's maternal grand-aunt
• 'Uncle Clarence' was Clarence David Perry, Roxey's husband
• 'Doris' is Doris Jane Rose Hastings, his cousin
• 'Don' is Donald Franklin Hastings, Doris' husband
• 'Cindy' is Cindy Lou Schnack Arsenault Coffell, his daughter
• 'Katie' was Katharine Rose Schnack Jones Gall Hammon, his sister
• 'Dad' was Jochim Walter Schnack, his father
• 'Jake' was Walter J. Schnack, himself and the author of this letter

 

17 May 1956
Camp Irwin, California

Dear Mom and all,

I received your most welcome letter two days ago and, believe it or not, I'm answering it already.  Gee, I hate to put you all to the expense of a trip out here but I can't see how I can manage to make the trip East.  So, I guess I'll be expecting you about the 17th or 18th of July.  It will take you about three days to come out if you don't push it too hard.  Try to let me know when you are coming so I'll be able to get a few days off.  Mrs. Cole and Tinker and Irene's Aunt Roxey and Uncle Clarence are planning on coming out sometime, too, so be sure and let them know when you are coming so, that if possible, you won't all visit at the same time.  We have the room but we

would all enjoy it better if you came at different times.

I'm glad to hear you got your raise and I know what you mean when you say it still isn't enough to go around.  I've gradually become aware of how rough it is to bring up a family and I haven't really gotten started yet.

I'm glad that Don and Doris had a nice wedding.  I guess Irene sent their gift.  I know she said she would but you know how long it took for your teakettle.  It sat around the house for a month.

Gee, its too bad you can't have some of the weather we're having out here in the Desert (Mojave).  We are only 40 miles from Death Valley.  It runs about 110° in the afternoon, cool at night.  Irene says it has hit 109° in Manhattan so I know its hot there because they have a lot of humidity.

Out here, its so dry you have a hard job sweating.  I've fixed 360 out of a possible 400, so I'm doing pretty damned good.  We run a lot of tactical problems here when, what we need for these young soldiers, we have in the unit.

I sure miss Irene and the kids, especially Cindy.  She and I were getting along just fine before I left and I really miss her.  She is as you say, "a real cutie."  Irene says she says kitty and baby now but no more teeth and only one step.

I'll try to get some cards for Katie.  How does she do in school?  Say hello to Dad for me and all the others; so, until next time, I remain

Your loving son,
Jake