Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, December 14, 1942
MLA Citation
Gernert, William Henry, 1886-1947. “Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, December 14, 1942.” Digital Gallery. BGSU University Libraries, 13 Nov. 2023, digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/items/show/42502. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
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Title | Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, December 14, 1942 |
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"#9" [centered] [top right] Dec 14-42 [end top right]
Dear Old Son- Monday [top right]
I got a letter from you today, so did mom. Pretty darned swell of you, considering all your correspondence. The 3rd grade teacher at Church St [unsure leg] is Miss Irene Barckery - I had to call to find out and I told her how darned pleased you were to receive that flashlight and how practical it was for you and that you wanted her name so you could write the class thru her. She said the kids had also written you a letter - but they probably sent it regular [underlined] mail, so you wont get it for some time. I send all our letters air [underlined] mail [underlined].
As you know by now, Sally was here in time to see Bill and Sue before they went back.
Mom will do her best to get the pearls for Sally - she already bought her a swell sweater - just what Sally wanted in color etc. Shirley is also buying her a present - I think a nail polish outfit.
I just phoned "Uncle Abie" [unsure sp] and read the paragraph in your letter where in you regerred to using his Tactics in dealing with your men about the duty rifles. It pleased him no end - he said your remarks would help him on thru the day in great shape. I, too, think your attitude toward your men was
awfully good tact. Remember they are just Boys and you can [letter crossed out] be firm but fair always, and they sure will re-act to such treatment. Good Boy, son.
Dick, - I know how you feel about sending Shirley away to College and it is mighty generous of you to want to help finance her - but, there are several angles to the whole thing. Hoenestly, I dont know how mom could spare Shirley just now with you boys away and in the war - don't get me wrong, mom is a grand trouper and all that, but quite naturally she thinks of you + Bill most of the time - so do I, too.
However, we will see what comes out of all this. Shirley does not [underlined] want to go to Wooster and is quite satified to go out here for a year or two, at least, where most of her girl friends will be.
Another thing - there is no reason why you should help Shirley thru College, as much as I love you for the offer - Remember you have a wife who is rightly entitled to plan your spending - and right here I want you to know that Sally told me that you [underlined x2] + she [underlined x2] wanted to help Shirley thru College. - But, her young brother Bobbie would have as much right to share in your benevalence, too. Dont you see, son? All I ask of you and Bill - very definitely - is to see that your mother never [underlined x2] wants for the necessities of life, - that, I will hold you + Bill responsible for and I will never worry about you looking after her, cause I know how you feel toward your mother. Enough said, eh?
2. [centered]
Maybe it would be well for you to write Shirley that "her responsibility is pretty great - that in your absence and Bill's, she will have to be the 'man on the job' at home, until such time as you + Bill can get back to sort of keep a check on your mom + Dad, and that nothing [underlined] must prevent her getting a college education (emphasize that) and probably she should take a couple of years at home, at least".
Shirley accepts responsibility, I know, and she is no dummy either - she has a good head on her shoulders and a tight lip, too. You know, mom and I were talking last night - if Bill + Mary should happen to be stationed some where more or less permanently, we would want Shirley to spend some time with them, in an atmosphere where she would meet some swell college graduates who are officers. Somehow I have a hunch Bill wont be [unsure leg] across - it is just a hunch and not worth space even, but [underlined] I have a feeling that somewhere along the line Bill will be recognized for his executive ability (which I think you both have) and will end up as commandant of a flying field or something. All this may have a background of wishful thinking, you know.
Say, we phoned Bill Mary yesterday after we thought they had had time to get home after receiving his "wings" at 10:00 a.m., and what do you think
that "Bozo" said? This must be a cloase secret until he tells you - which he will, if he hasn't already. Well, he said Mary had been so sick "mornings"! And he (they) think she may be pregnant - isn't that something? It's fine, so far as we are concerned - just so it don't take his mind off his work.
He would double cross you soon as you got out of the country, eh? Well they are a couple of years older than you + Sally anyway. I think you are both right - you and Sally, to wait, and Bill Mary to go ahead.
Bill said he was being sent today [underlined] to Tarrant Field (I think that is the name he said) at Fort Worth Texas, where he will be for 9 weeks flying 4 motor (B-24) bombers. From the tone of his voice I gathered he was pretty proud of his "wings". When he told about Mary, mom busted in on the conversation and said "Tell Mary to eat Popcorn to relieve that morning situation, it helped me". Good old mom, right on her toes [unsure leg] with suggestions from her own experiences. Afterwards, I said "Mom, what if popcorn wont work on this generation"? Then mom began to plan on how Mary ought to come with us, etc". I said, yes Grandma, but you better just extend the whole hearted invitation and let them decide 'cause after all they will be the proud parents. Yes she said but [underlined] if Mary
3 [centered]
goes home to Greenville to have the Baby, dont you think I should go down a month [underlined x2] a head of time to be with her? I said yes darling, if [underlined x3] she asks you. Wont your mother be absolutely [underlined] nuts [underlined] about a grand child? More troubles coming for me, to try and hold her down, eh?
Changing the subject - can you put the "date" on your letters to me, so I can figure out how fast they make the trip?
Got a letter from Lieut. (J.G.) Robert Lowell today enclosing a check for $150.00 [unsure sp] to pay his debt to the High School Easly [unsure leg] Fund and a $10.00 [unsure sp] check to me for work I did to fix him up to enter Annapolis over 4 years ago. Pretty darned square of him wasnt it? He is on the North Carolina in the Pacific, he said.
I hope Bill can spare the $300.00 [unsure sp], soon, that he borrowed from the Easly [unsure leg]
Fund
The morning paper gives this score - Duquesne 40 - Wooster 30.
I am enclosing some clippings I thought might interest you.
Don't forget to write a letter to Dr Prout as I told you before.
I told Shebbie [unsure sp] you referred to him as a bald headed buzzard - he laughed when I told him about the water flowing thru your tent. By the way, Dr Whitehead should be out your way by now - look around for him. If you can send picture post cards to our [underlined] gang [underlined, it would be nice. So long, marine! Do your stuff and remember Old Pop is by your side in spirit
[bottom right] I love my Pal. Popxxxxxxxxx [end bottom right] | |
Subject | Gernert, William Henry, 1886-1947 |
Gernert, Richard Thomas, 1919-1994 | |
Gernert family | |
Gernert, Lillian Forrest, 1893-1988 | |
Gernert, Eveline Schwartz Mowry, 1920-1999 | |
Gernert, William Edgar, 1917-2009 | |
Gernert, Mary Alice Hawley, 1917-2013 | |
Harley, Shirley Louise Gernert, 1925-1981 | |
Rothe, William Saxby, 1920-2009 | |
Rothe, Susan Fraher, 1920-2009 | |
Prout, Frank Jay, 1883-1967 | |
Mowry, Robert Bruce, 1930-1998 | |
B-24 (Bomber) | |
Tarrant Field (Tex.) | |
World War, 1939-1945 -- Ohio -- Bowling Green | |
Bowling Green (Ohio) | |
Creator | Gernert, William Henry, 1886-1947 |
Source | Gernert family letters; MS-1269; Center for Archival Collections; University Libraries; Bowling Green State University |
Date | 1942-12-14 |
Rights | |
Format | Correspondence |
application/pdf | |
Language | eng |
Identifier | ms1269_19421214 |
https://digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/items/show/42502 | |
Spatial Coverage | Bowling Green (Ohio) |
Fort Worth (Tex.) | |
Type | Text |