Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, January 22, 1943

[begin underlined] First [underlined x2] Lieut. Gernert [end underlined] 22 January 1943

Dear Sonny Boy-

[unsure br] You know what I want you to do? Wha is your present salary as a married [underlined] 1st Lieut? I mean total. And break it down into salary, maintainance, or what ever they call it, and the 10% increase on being over sea's, etc. Bill told me his, once, I have forgotten how he broke it down, but I think his total was 292.00 or 302.00 per month as a 2nd Lt in the air corps.

Flash! Youngstown beat the Univ. last night at Youngstown 56-53, their first [underlined] defeat. They play Kent tonight and too [crossed out] a few nights ago Kent gave Mt Union their first defeat.

Be on your toes [cut-off by hole punch], old Pal, do your stuff. Dont give your superiors a chance to think they might have made a mistake in giving you a promotion. You know how I mean it, Pal, I just want you to be one of the "up and comingest" young officers in the whole marine corps.

What did you do with you Quinine? Have you asked a Doctor just [underlined] how [underlined] much [underlined] you can take a day? Answer me. If you haven't, I want you to be sure and do it before you move out somewhere. Remember to do it, son. If I remember right, it is dangerous to over load yourself with the stuff so find out.

Only 15 above this morning, practically a spring day. You ask who cleans the walks. On account of ice, not a walk in the town has been cleaned for weeks. There must be a couple of inches of ice at the bottom of al our snow. We haven't been able to actually see the Brick in Grove Street for weeks, really, just the Dixie and #6 are "bare" because [unsure leg] sbow plowed there and used calcium.

The plasterers started in on our kitchen today and is it only a mess. I'll be glad when it is all over and cleaned [underlined] up and the kitchen furniture back in place. But just picture mom strolling out in the kichen when she gets home and seeing brand new white walls all over kitchen, breakfast room, back stairway, and back all up stairs.

2. [centered]

Wont she just "bust a button"? On top of her Texas Trip it may be too much for her. She is a grand old gal and deserves every thing your old Dad can do for her to make her happy. I want you boys to feel the same toward your wives after you have been married 30 years - it will be 28 years for us next September. Remember.

Saturday [centered]

Wooster beat Mt Union last night 54-47 I'll bet "Old man Stagg" (Mose) was tickled about that one, on Mt Unions floor too. Will send clipping. Our univ beat Kent 51-39. High school lost to Jr Order 50-28. Warm here this morning, up to 32°.

Letter from mom saying that Bill will definitely leave Fort Worth Feby 22nd and may go to Utah for 3 or 4 weeks. [arrow pointing left and additional text,"(secret)", added after sentence] Mary has a bad day now + then but few and far between. She is much [underlined] better. 

Shirley stayed with Margaret Mercer last night, so I was all alone in that big house. No hot water cause the gas is disconnected while plasterers work. I was in bed at 8:30, snoozing and listening to radio. Shirley and I are invited out to Bowmans again, for Sunday dinner. Dorothy Ott called and asked us to Sunday dinner but she was to late, we had already accepted the Bowman invite.

Jim ["Bob" crossed out] Hunter was just promoted to Capt. Bob Hunter just received his 2nd Lieut., at some airport in Mississippi [misspelled with letters added aboved]. Guess I cant even spell any more.

Well sonny boy [cut-off by hole punch], I've run out of things to write about so will get this letter on the way. Write as often as you can and tell me all you can, as an officer, but dont betray the honor reposed on you. Take care of yourself physically + morally. It gets awful darned lonesome around the old home but I can take it, especially if I can be busy.

[unsure br] Sometimes I get afraid of the future, but that dont help. Just do your best, son, wherever you are and we will pray that this thing is over soon.

Remember your prayers, fellow.

[bottom right of page] Oceans of love from

Your Old Dad

who is so proud of

his family [end bottom right]