Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, November 2, 1942

[top right] Mon. P.M. [end top right]

Dear Son + Pal-

[top center] 2. [end top center]

and mom said Paul asked all about you and blew you sky-high. Evelyn (Mrs Landis) is so darned homesick for Bowling Green that she cries, but won't let on to Paul because Paul likes his work so much and is being so successful at it. Shirley + I batched it while mom was gone- to bed both nights at 8:30, I was. I am looking forward to seeing the Holes, Boles, and the Wooster-Dennison game next Saturday Nov 7th. I mailed you a letter that I received from Dean Bruere- also a brocure by him. Read it. Be nice if you would write him a note and Prexy Wishart, too. You have no [double underlined] idea how those people- and many others- would appreciate a note from you. Also don't forget [underlined] Uncle Harry [end underlined]. I would have written you at the Hotel at San Frisco but I was afraid you would be shipped ahead of time [double underlined] so when [end double underlined] you arrive at your destination there should be two [double underlined] letters waiting, addressed to Unit 400 + Postmaster-Frisco. Wooster beat Mt Union 13-0. Penn beat Army 19-0 (upset) Kent beat BGU 7-0 also an upset for the Boys who, I am afraid, took Kent lightly. Mr. Rothe says Bill + Sue are to be married in the spring but they are strangely silent on where + how they are going to live. Mom said it was embarassing how much of a "fuss" Sue's parents made over her (mom). Mr Frayer, Sue's dad, told mom that Bill Rothe talked more about Aunt Lillian + Uncle Doc and their boys, than he did about his own family. Mom says Sue just makes the most fuss, too, and refers to me as "Uncle Doc."

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Mary said, (and don't [double underlined] tell Bill) that Bill is quite disturbed about you going and he insisted he had to phone you [double underlined]- and that Sally must [double underlined] come and live with them. (Bill + Mary) However He (Bill) said "I won't worry, cause my brother is a "tough cookie". Gosh damn it, Dick, it sure is wonderful [triple underlined] to an old "coot" like me to know that [underlined] my two sons [end underlined] feel toward eachother like they do. And Shirley and I were talking about Mary + Sally the other night and Shirley said she never dreamed she could like sisters-in-law like she does. If you should get lonesome at times, always remember to say a silent prayer to God. Bill used to do that in the "dark days" at West Point and he said it always helped him. Whatever [tripled underlined] you do, son-of-mine, leave women strictly [double underlined] alone. Get me? Cards, too and strong drink. Get me right on this- I don't mind a highball but enough is enough. and [double underlined] no women whatever [end double underlined]. 

[center] Tuesday Nov 3 [end center]

Well, old son, I've got bad news- the "Sentinel" got the notice that Lynnie Reiss is dead in England- don't know whether he died a natural death or died fighting- I hope the latter, because that is the way he [double underlined] would have wanted it to be. It sure knocked mom + me for a goal. He was always so loyal to us- when he hit town, he would come to our house first thing, before he visited his own relatives. Why oh why does war have to be, son? It is so futile. I hope when you

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and Bill get back, you both will use all your influence, all the rest of your life, to outlaw war, someway. Certainly we older generation have made a mess of things. Thats why I want you to always be [underlined] clean wholesome [end underlined] and honest [underlined] so that in years to come you can have your influence respected. Boy, Dick, it was great to hear your voice last night, and we are so glad you and Sally could have this week together and that you called it your "honeymoon". I hope and pray that your whole life can be a "honeymoon." Sally is a sweetheart and you [double underlined] must always [end double underlined] be her lover- like mom and I. Mary wrote me a card- I quote,- "of course, Dick's leaving affects Bill greatly, but as Bill says "he's a tough cookie" and is going to be [underlined] all right [end underlined]" Then she (Mary) says "you + mom" are not [double underlined] to worry. This card was written the "30th" and they were to celebrate their 5th (month) wedding anniversary. Do you remember once I told you to keep a diary [double underlined] about your travels and experiences- it would help you to remember places + dates in the future- what do you think of the idea? Just a few notes every day or so- how about it, Pal? Got a letter from you and one from Mary yesterday. It seems that the boys in advanced [underlined] flying, before the course is over, are given their own planes that they fly regular, and the custom is to name [underlined] their planes. Quite often they name their planes for their sweethearts or wifes but Bill and Mary decided that when Bill gets his plane he is going to name it "Dick" after you. So, again, I am proud as heck that my boys are so proud of each other. Boy it sure is great to my old carcass to see how darned loyal you + he are to each other. I hope in years to come you can know how I feel about you two.

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I can just hear old Bill, when somebody asks him why he named his plane "Dick," saying, "Why after [underlined] My Brother [end underlined] who is an officer in the Marines, out in the Pacific." Atta Boy! You fellows- stick together thru hell + high water. Let [underlined] no one [end underlined], ever [double underlined], swerve you from that loyalty to each other. [underlined] My Sons-My Pals [end underlined]. 

[center] Nov 4th (The morning after Election) [end center]

Gosh! What the Republicans did yesterday, from coast to coast! I interpret yesterdays elections to mean,- "Mr Roosevelt, get busy on this war- quit playing politics and when the war is over, take your Jews and Vamoose." The Youngs dropped in last night- mom and I were in be- she was about whipped, had done a washing, voted, up town to buy curtains for front room etc., plus the blow of Lynnie Reiss death pretty near took her "bobber" under- so I was glad to get up and entertain. Then the Rothes dropped in, later the Waughs, still later the Bowmans, all in all, I think it was good for mom. Don't worry, she is OK, and a good "trouper". [underlined] The show must go on. [end underlined] They stayed pretty late, too, about 1:30. Today is a beautiful [underlined] fall day- an ideal football day, if it was Saturday. I hope Saturday is as pretty, when we go to Wooster. I think I shall go in to Dean Bruere's office to see if your photo is hung right. I am looking forward to that trip very much. Tell me all you can about your boat trip, it will be interesting to us, you know. The High School plays Fostoria Friday night. another whipping in the offing for us.

[top center] 6. [end top center]

[top right] Friday Nov 6 [end top right]

I just dropped a roll of "sports pages" in the mail box for you- let me know if they come thru alright. Got a long letter from Bill yesterday and Oh Boy! did he only burn me up for even hinting where I thought you might be going- and when he finished "sizzling" me, he didn't even say "I love you Pop" like you did. Makes me feel exactly like the time I [double underlined] was driving- in the mountains of West Virginia and got squeezed between a couple of cars- and you fellows took turns telling me about it until I was ready to quit driving forever. From now on- you and Bill are in the United States Armed Forces- when you entered, where you have been, or where you are, is, and will be a deep dark mystery to me. Cpt Fred Grosscup is here on a furlough- brought his family to leave them here while he goes abroad- somewhere. We leave in the morning for Wooster so I will get this "theme" in the mail. (Letter [underlined] #3) I love you, Pal. Take care of yourself. Dont be reckless. Remember your prayers and write as often as you can. 

[right] Your Loving Old Pop [end right]

[bottom left] Remember to tell me