Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, February 2, 1943

[top right] 2 February 1943 [end top right]

Dear Son-

stove, also one 18 inches long in the breakfast room over the table. The shades + curtains are all back up, too. Oh Boy! Wont Mom hit the ceiling? It really looks swell. Oh yes, I bought a new mirror 8 X 17 and hung it over the shelf which is over the kitchen sink. Old "Mose" lost a heart breaker at Wooster against Cincinnatti Saturday night 40 to 39. I'll be he "replayed" that game all night. Our Univ lost to Ohio Univ and Muskingum on a two day trip. I am enclosing clippings. Sunday it rained, then turned cold and was 15 above Monday morning. Shirley baked some swell cookies last night- all gone this morning. Remember 1 year ago yesterday (Feby 1st) when you reported at Quantico? A lot of water has passed over the dam since April 4th, your commission- June 20th, your wedding, Nov 5th you left San Francisco, and of course the week you and Sally spend with us the last of August. Have you received any issues of the Wood County Republican yet? I just wrote old Hot Pilot a confidential letter at his airport address telling him how I had remodelled the house during moms absence and swore him to secrecy. Dang him, if he even hints to her I'll break his fingers and leave bloody stubs. His address at the airport is- Box 448 S.T. D., Tarrant Field, Fort Worth, Texas. Of course he will be leaving there Feby 22nd,

[center] 2. [end center]

Saw the univ. play Baldwin Wallace and win last night. The university has lost several players- Phillips flunked- so did Otten I heard. Givins left school- Bob Beatty flunked, and a couple of others. It was a good game. Jay Winters and Wallace Glenwright [added above] [drawn arrow] (Sandusky) [end added above] worked the game and they each asked where you were and what I heard from you. Shirley worked her first night for pay last night and came out to the penny with her cash. She is quite elated about her job. A week from today mom will be home! Then we will begin to live again. Say, did you hear about the 9 year old son of the Colonel of Marines at a Sunday school class? The Teacher was vividly and dramatically telling the Bible story of Jesus being nailed to the Cross, when the 9 year old boy jumped up and shook a clenched fist and said "Where in Hell were the Marines?" Just got back from firing the furnace and NO Mail, wither from you or mom. Got a letter from Bill yesterday and when I opened it there was no letter, just a card the size of an Envelope on which was printed in large letters "KEEP SMILING". The Lug! Why shouldn't I keep smiling- with [word crossed out] sweetheart momma, darling Shirley and two of the finest squarest cleanest Boys in the world, and last but not least, two daughters-in-law, who are the finest in the world, I couldn't have done a better job of picking if I had done it myself.

[top right] Thurs. 4 Feb 43 [end top right]

Rained practi [word blocked by hole punch] ally all night and thundered and lightninged too- then turned just cold enough to be slippery as "ice" this am. Still no letter from my byddy so I figure you must be taking a boat ride. I wrote "Mose" a card yesterday consoling him on that 40-39 loss. I addressed it to Coach E.M. (Alonzo) Hole. Also told him to take good care of my daughter, Sally. Well old son, I just got a good crack between the eyes, to wit: The grates all burned out of the furnace and what that means is sure bad- perhaps I can't even get new ones, if I can get them, it will cost to beat heck. The men (from Gillispri's) are going down right after dinner, I should know the Verdict within an hour or so. Oh well, as long as you and Bill are O.K., and the rest of my family stays well, I will wiggle out of it someway. As a last resort I can put gas in the furnace but I hate gas heat and the expense is terrible for our big house. 

[center] Friday am [end center]

No letter yet. Well they took furnace grates to a welder and fixed them so I can have a fire in the furnace as long as I don't shake it down, but they are ordering New Grates- I dont know the expense yet. Had a letter from Bee Hale yesterday asking us to come home from Bill Rothe's

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wedding, Saturday the 13th, [word blocked by hole punch] way of Wooster. She also said they were saving on gas coupons in order to come to Bowling Green after basketball season, if they didn't get to make any other trip this year. Also she wrote about Sally thus,- "Your daughter-in-law is making a big hit here in Wooster. Mr. McKee and Southwick have both thanked Mose for the tip. She works hard and is very efficient. And around here she is just grand, so peppy + brave. She helps with the dishes and eats left-overs without a complaint. No foolin'- we're crazy about her. I don't believe Dick could have made a better choice." All that coming from Bee is surely a testimonial for our Sally isn't it, son? Oh Boy! Someday [underlined], after this mess is over we will get back to living with each other again. Had a card from Mary this morning. She says Bill is coming thru his training there with flying colors. He "Solo's", with no instructor, just his crew. Wooster beat Wittenberg last night 64 to 43. I enclose clipping. A beautiful day- frosty, but sort of spring-like. High school plays Tiffin Columian tonight here. They beat us there but we might win tonight. Hope so, for Diller. 

Just think mom will have been away 46 days, 3 hours and 50 minutes, if her train is on time. But oh, how Bill appreciated having her there, poor Kid. 

[center] Friday P.M. 2:00 oclock [end center]

Hot Damn! Just got a letter from you, written Jan 25th, rather short but thats alright son. I don't know why your mail shouldn't come there. I have never failed to write once a week and most often twice a week, so it must be the mail service or Planes. Your letters generally come thru in 5 1/2 days and this last one took 11 days because today is Feby 5 and you wrote it Jan 25th. All the news you asked for in this last letter I have already written so I will get this on the way today, 2-5-1943 [underlined]. So long, my buddy, take good care of your health. Answer all questions in previous letters and remember I love you, son, so very very much. Write more often if possible. 

[right] Oceans + Oceans of Love to a great son from His Dad. [end right]