1955 10 25 Walter J. Schnack to Olive Schnack

Travel plans to return stateside have changed.  Instead of by boat, my family might arrive by plane to the Idlewild airport.

The family members in this letter and their relationship to my father are:

• 'Mom' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, his mother
• 'Irene' was Irene Orvetta Cole Schnack Speer, his wife
• 'Viv' was Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope, his sister
• 'Harry' was Harry Donald Cope, his brother-in-law
• 'Kathy' was Katharine Rose Schnack Jones Gall Hammon, his sister
• 'Dad' was Jochim Walter Schnack, his father
• 'Eddie' was Edward Alexander Schnack, his brother
• 'Mrs. Cole' or 'Mom' was Ruth Elma Harder Cole, his mother-in-law
• 'Jake' was Walter J. Schnack, the author of this letter
• 'Cindy Lou' is Cindy Lou Schnack Arsenault Coffell, his daughter
• 'dad' was Howard Cole, his father-in-law

25 Oct 1955
Kitzingen, Germany

Dear Mom and all,

Well, here I am writing again so soon.  You thought it wasn't very quick at all so now I'm answering your letter as soon as I got it.  Irene's sitting across from me writing one to her folks.  Gee, I hope there wasn't too much flooding around home.  How did it all come out?  I'm very sorry to hear that there is something wrong with Viv.  Maybe it is just nerves, mom, from being depressed.  Then again, that wouldn't account for the pain and temperature; maybe she's got some sort of trouble like Irene had.  Maybe she should have it looked into, then again, she could have ulcers from worrying and being depressed,  I know she wrote me and said how, no matter how much Harry worked, they never seemed to get ahead.  I really couldn't figure that one out because they have a nice home and car, furniture, and they sure aren't going hungry.  Maybe I look at it in the wrong light but I'd say she has quite a bit to show for all her hours alone.  When I spent two months in Belson and six weeks in Velseck, plus all those three days and guard and charge of quarters, Irene never saw me and they sure didn't pay anything extra for it.  So, she shouldn't feel to depressed.

You sure figured out a good way as far as I'm concerned for getting me to Fort Riley.  I never even though of getting insurance that way.  I'm surprised at myself because I thought I knew all the angles.  Yes, you can transfer the title.  Just as soon as possible, I'll get it straightened out because, whether you realize it or not, I really don't like to be obligated to anyone for anything.  You know what I mean.  Mom, will you take the car to Cole's so they can put the stuff Irene wants in it?  You should get it down as soon as possible and have the car ready to move out because I have just been informed I stand a 50-50 chance of flying home because of a small child and not much space available aboard the ship we are scheduled to sail on.  If we don't fly, we won't stand much of a chance of seeing each other on the ship because I will be in the hold with the troops and Irene will be in the cabins and never the twain shall meet.  If we fly, it will be a short notice for you all at home, but we will be in New York in about 20 hours flying time.  We land (if we fly) at Idlewild Airport on Long Island and there they take us to Fort Hamilton and then we should be free to take off.  I'll send a telegram just before we leave Germany (if we fly) and give you the details.  I thought you should be forewarned so you all could be ready.  You can get a substitute teacher and come down.  If you bring Kathy, I'm sure the school would okay it.  Dad could come, too, because business isn't that important, or rather busy.

You'd need someone to drive you back and maybe Eddie could if he hasn't started working or school.  How is he taking his discharge?  Has he decided nything yet?  I still think he should try the Army and he'd know for sure whether he would even have to go in the service.  When you take the car to Cole's, you could leave it there until you hear from us and then tell them to start packing it.  Wait a minute, the last is rescinded.  You get in touch with Mrs. Cole and she'll let you know when she has the stuff ready to pack.  Irene is telling her folks to let you know when they are ready for the car.  Gee, I'm all mixed up so I hope you can keep from getting that way.

I guess I'm mixing Jake up a bit.  You and Mom get together about packing the car.  I don't particularly care how its packed in as long as its there and there is room for Cindy Lou.  If it isn't just comfortable for us, I'm sure we can rearrange it.  I don't think it's a good idea to leave the car down home as dad needs room for the bus and truck and tractor and his cars.  Of course, if it's alright with him, go ahead, that is all left up to you and my folks, not us.  All we are interested in is having it ready so we don't have

to waste time and be AWOL.

The Christmas idea sounds good except for one thing.  I don't want a one sided Christmas.  That's all I can say on it.  We got Cindy a pram suit as you call it.  It looks like a snowsuit to me.  As for Cindy, I guess all she needs are pajamas (with feet in them) size 1 year.  The one she has now is a "Nitey Nite" size 1 and will fit her all this winter, or a small bathrobe for her.  She wears overalls and polo shirts now and she has enough of them.  No dresses till next summer.  Irene and I will submit a list of things we need personally but would be just as happy if you combined prices and got us something for the home.  Irene needs nylons, blouses, panties, socks, etc.  sizes are as follows:  nylons and socks 10 1/2, blouse -40, panties size 8.  I need a sport jacket or shirts 16 1/2, socks size 11.  But together we need a bedspread, a crib and playpen combined, I don't know what they call them but you can use them for both.  Also, pots and pans and cash.  It's hard to say really what we want, Mom, because we've been getting along on nothing for so long, we really can't say.  Well, Mom, I'll write again as soon as I hear something, so until then, I remain

Your loving son,
Jake

P.S.
Cindy Lou and I send our love, too, since Jake forgot to.

Love,
Irene and Cindy Lou

1954 3 15 Walter J. Schnack to his mother

I don't have a return address for this letter authored by my father.  I believe it would have been Fort Knox, Kentucky, as he was stationed there when he married my mother.

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

• 'Mom' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, his mother
• 'Dad' was Jochim Walter "Walter" Schnack, his father
• 'Eddie' was Edward Alexander Schnack, his brother
• 'Harry' was Harry Donald Cope, his brother-in-law
• 'Donnie' was Donald Everett Cole, his future brother-in-law
• 'Viv' was Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope, his sister
• 'Jake' was Walter J. Schnack, author of this letter

March 15, 1954

Dear Mom,

Well, I arrived safely Friday night with only 17 1/2 hours driving time.  Of course, I really rolled because the roads were real nice.  I slept for about 4 hours just before I got to Butler, Pennsylvania.  I used a little more gas than I did going up but I only used three quarts of oil.  I still think that's a lot of oil.  Ask Dad if he thinks its okay.  Also ask him to price 4 tires and tubes, 7:10-15, 4 ply.  Not the most expensive ones, though.  My buddy wants 4 and if he can save more this way, he'd like to buy them.  I told him it would have to be cash on delivery.  A lot of the guys were really surprised when they saw me drive in.  They thought I wouldn't make it back with that old car.  I guess I surprised myself a little, too.  Just so it makes it

home and back once more, I'll be very happy.  Of course, I won't push it so hard coming back the next time because it will have more of a load.

Gee Mom, I must really be in love.  I hated to leave when the time came and I wish I were there now.  It's a feeling I've never had before.

I was so mixed up when I left, I left my fatigues at home and I need them bad.  Could you send them to me as soon as possible?  Also, will you call the "Star" office and get 5 copies of the paper that had the engagement announced in it.  Somebody took the one I had in the latrine (the Star that is) and when I saw it, that page was gone.  You take one and put the rest (clippings) in the trunk.

How does my bill look?  I sent all bills home in case you get them first.  As far as I can see, that's the way things stand.

Eddie says that if he's around, he'll be best man.  It surprised me when he said he would.  Do you suppose Harry would be an usher?  Ask him for me.  I asked Donnie but he is going to have to be persuaded.  One thing about it, if I have those 3 in the wedding party, I won't have quite so much trouble because the Best Man and Matron of Honor  are supposed to help and not hinder.  I hope Viv and Harry aren't after revenge because if they are, I've had it.  I'll send you $50 on payday to be put in the bank

on a checking account.  I'll also send you the money that I owe you and Dad.  You can give Dad his.

Well Mom, I'm still tired so I'll close, and until I see you, I remain your loving son.

Jake

P.S. 

Say hello to all for me.

Also send one brown laundry bag.

 

This is the engagement announcement that my father referred to in his letter to my grandmother.  I don't know the date it was published but my mother wrote the newspaper name at the top of the clipping.

Engagement announcement of Irene O. Cole to Walter J. Schnack