Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, December 22, 1942
MLA Citation
Gernert, William Henry, 1886-1947. “Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, December 22, 1942.” Digital Gallery. BGSU University Libraries, 13 Nov. 2023, digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/items/show/42505. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
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Title | Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, December 22, 1942 |
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#12 [centered] [top right] Tuesday 12-22-42 [end top right]
Dear Son-O-Mine,-
You know how I usually surprise mom on Xmas by bringing out a "big" package after [underlined] all the others have been opened? Well up in the back attic is a big bundle to be her surprise this year - it is a beautiful all-wool comforter and it is marked "from your marine son, Richard [underlined], to the greatest + best Momma in the World". Wont that knock her for a goal? You see, I have already bought her a lounging Robe - pajamas - set of dishes (like yours) and something else I forgot what, so you will get credit for the Quilt.
I bought myself (2 weeks ago) 4 shirts and 2 night gowns. One shirt $1.98 and 1 night gown $1.19 are a present from you - the same thing is a present from Bill - that leaves 2 shirts, one from Shirley + one from mom. How is that for planning? You see I get what I need and divide the credit to you kids + mom. Shirley will have a nice Xmas, but I'l let her write you about it, mom, too.
You know, Lake has been spouting off in the Sentinel about the Ohio Conference and Wooster-My Union cancelling etc., well I have been mailing a copy of each "raving issue" to old Coach Boles for perusal - from me of course.
Well yesterday I got a not [cut off by punch-hole] from him thanking me for the paper and he said "We have been reading Lakes columns in athletic meetings with a great deal of interest and the same amount of disgust".
Doesn't that sound like him? It is all a mistake I think. If I had been Bowling Green I wouldn't have resigned at this time in te middle of the season - and if I had have been Wooster + Mt. Union I wouln't have cancelled games already contracted, but just quietly would not have scheduled any future games. But [underlined] it isn't really my business, so I stay completely out of it, except to needle Prout now + then about scheduling T.U., which he hates and swears he wont play as long as Spears is there.
By the way, Dr. Prout stopped in last night and left us a quart of Burgundy wine for a xmas present. Have you wrote im a letter yet?
And while I am on that Topic will you do me a favor? Call Young r., just idolizes ou - was mad as could be when the 3rd grade got your name instead of his grade which is the 5h, so will you write him a letter or a post card? And [underlined] be [underlined] sure [underlined] to just casually insert in your letter that he must bear down on "math" because to be a Marine officer one must have a good "math" background.
2- [centered]
You see, Dick, Carl Jr is a bit slow on "math" and his olks keep pigging [unsure leg] away at him, so if you suggested it he would really believe it necessary, Do it for me, Son + Pal.
I suppose you hink I sit up nights "scheming", eh? Your letter written Monday night the 14, and stamped the 16th, we received Monday the 21st. Pretty good time. What a batch of letters you get, any way.
No, nothing is settled about Sally teaching yet, because school wont hear from his application until after the 1st of January probably - but if he does, she can have his job, at least, the balance of the school year.
Sure, I took care of Sally while she was with us - served her big Tumblers of orange juice in bed and other odd jobs - but the best I did, I think, was to pound into her the necessity of getting that throat of hers fixed up.
You ask after Dick Foster.
He left for the Navy Oct 10th, his address is -
Midshipman Richard M. Foster,
U.S.N.R. Midshipman School, Room 308,
Abbott Hall, 430 East Huon St.,
Chicago, Illinois
A lot of address isnt it.
You told me about using Uncle [cut off by punch-hole] Abies tactics on the 3 boys with dirty rifles - I phoned Uncle Abie and told him what you said. The other night at our Xmas party out at Prouts, Mrs Conklin got me off in the corner and whispered to me, "that nothing had so affected Uncle Abie, in ages, as my telling him what you had said". He called for your address and I guess he wrote you a letter.
It is funny, Dick, especially when one grows older, how some little word of praise, recogniton of ones teachings, or something, just boosts an older persons morale clear to the sky. Thats why I have always [underlined x3] told you and Bill to be polite and courteous to older persons - listen respectfully as if you were interested even if you aren't.
The same philosophy will work with your [underlined x3] superior officers, because [underlined x2] after all, MEN are only BOYS grown mature and with great problems (fancied or real) on their minds, and Officers are [underlined] just [underlined] men [underlined], I don't care how high a rank they have. [underlined] Dont forget [end underlined] we have no home [underlined] as yet from Bill Mary, but you can write Bill at Tarrant Field, Fort Worth, Texas, where he will be 9 weeks from Dec 15th, or until about Feby 22nd 1943.
I gather you are in a Defense Battalion but not in the 90 m.m. group, where you are. When your trunk comes, look o your bible - carry it when you can, buddy, if it is small enough.
3- [centered]
So you dont like me to talk about steaks 1 1/2 inches thick like we had when Sally was here? OK, fello, I'm your Pop + Pal. I told mom to serve us [unsure leg] + Bologna often, so we can be with you at meal time in spirit.
Yeah! I wish ou could sneak in the office for a chat - better yet, go to bed with me in our Mens Room! How about it. Say if you ever get that money belt I sent, look for the nickel in the "change" compartment.
Bryan Cook says you are to far away to make bets with - the "odds" might change over night.
Well, Dicky Boy, I will close now - mom has served for 2 days so I am taking her out to supper for a change.
I am enclosing some clippings for you. By the waym Jack Burn has a baby daughter born last night - he gave me a cigar today and asked about you.
Tell me how you spend Xmas day, and remember, Sonny Boy, we are together in spirit. Bill wont be here either.
So Long Pal - Keep on writing when you have he time. I love you, Sonny.
[bottom right] Your Old Pop. [end bottom right] | |
Subject | Gernert, William Henry, 1886-1947 |
Gernert, Richard Thomas, 1919-1994 | |
Gernert family | |
Gernert, Lillian Forrest, 1893-1988 | |
Gernert, William Edgar, 1917-2009 | |
Gernert, Mary Alice Hawley, 1917-2013 | |
Gernert, Eveline Schwartz Mowry, 1920-1999 | |
Harley, Shirley Louise Gernert, 1925-1981 | |
Prout, Frank Jay, 1883-1967 | |
Prout, Alice Flegal, 1893-1953 | |
Conklin, Helen Kathryn Saxby, 1890-1972 | |
Boles, Lawrence Casper, 1883-1945 | |
Lake, Ivan, 1901-1967 | |
Spears, Clarence Wiley, 1894-1964 | |
Young, Carl B., 1926-1990 | |
Foster, Richard M., 1920-1982 | |
Bowling Green State University -- Sports | |
College of Wooster -- Sports | |
University of Mount Union -- Sports | |
The University of Toledo -- Sports | |
Ohio Athletic Conference (U.S.) | |
Tarrant Field (Tex.) | |
United States. Marine Corps | |
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 | 1942-12-22 |
Rights | |
Format | Correspondence |
application/pdf | |
Language | eng |
Identifier | ms1269_19421222 |
https://digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/items/show/42505 | |
Spatial Coverage | Bowling Green (Ohio) |
Fort Worth (Tex.) | |
Type | Text |