Letter from William H. Gernert to Richard T. Gernert, February 6, 1943

[top right] 6-Feby '43 [end top right]
Dear Sonny Boy-
Just mailed you a letter yesterday so will start another with this news,- Hot Pilot Bill received his [double underlined] promotion as a First Lieutenant, dated Jan 29th, and mom says he is so happy about it. Just 15 days behind you, if I figure right. Now which one will get a Captaincy first? The Univ. team lost to Akron last night 47-38. Akron held this Gray to 4 points Wooster plays O.W.U. at Wooster tonight. The High School lost again to Tiffin Col., last night 48-43. We are to little [underlined]. Got a card from mom saying not to forget to meet her next Wednesday a.m., in Toledo. Don't worry, we wont forget! The weather today is gloomy, rainy and a strong wind blowing. Just wrote a card to Sally to tell her about Bill and I also told her I would have mom get right to work on her Xmas present- how nice it would look on the wall and that she could, in a pinch, wear it, etc. Remember the "line", dont you?
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Wooster beat O.W.U. last night 57-38, so I presume (Stagg) coach slept last night. Got a big pork Roast on for dinner today with sweet + browned potatoes- wish you could be with us, darn it. Two days from tomorrow morning we go after mom. Then Saturday morning we leave for Bill Rothe's wedding, if nothing comes up to interfere. Suppose he will know how to perform?

[top right] Monday 8th [end top right]
We had a "bliz [word blocked by hole punch] rdy" week end but this morning the sun is shining and beautiful overhead. I took the car up to be greased and tires checked in compliance of rationing cards. Haven't had it greased since last fall so thought it would be a good idea. A Radio announcement came out yesterday that all shoe stores in the nation are to be closed today and rationing goes into effect Tuesday- a person may have just 3 pair of shoes per year. That's alright with me if it will help win the war, but some of the women will have to forego a pair of shoes for each color dress etc. Shirley and I are invited down to Donaheys for supper tonight- just so uncle Bill dont serve us "cement block" pie and "Pocahontas Soup", [underlined] The Rat [end underlined]. Day after tomorrow morning we go after mom. She leaves Bill's at 5:00 P.M. today, St Louis tomorrow noon- leaves then at 6:00 P.M., arrive Toledo 5:25 am Wednesday. I can hardly wait to hear her "exclaim" when she sees the kitchen + Breakfast room. Something for her to come home to, I'd say. Mrs Whitehead phoned me to ask if you had located the Doctor. Have you? His working locale is- U.S. Naval Mobile Hospital Unit #2. If that is any help to you in running him down. Manhart is in and out on a Destroyer, as I understand, but

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Whitehead is more or less s [word blocked by hole punch] ationary at this Hospital unit #2. Letters from Whitehead have been long time coming thru the Mrs said- so the mail service must be the trouble with you not receiving letters over a 13 day period. Shirley wrote you and I sent it out yesterday the 7th.
[center] Tesday- [end center]
We, Shirley + I, are invited out to Dr Prouts for dinner tonight- then in the morning we go get mom. Had a telegram from Bill last night that he put mom on the train north. Received a letter from you today and when I got home there was a long letter from Sally Girl. Your letter written Feby 2nd and I got it the 9th. Aren't we glad we took a lot of those trips as a family? You see it does give you something to remember. I well remember the trip we took 2 years ago and Shirley and I were talking about it this noon. She remembers, too. You are right, she is growing into a young lady and really is smart. She is so good analyzing and settling problems that come up. Sally wrote that she hadn't received any letters from you for 2 weeks, then all of a sudden she got three [underlined] at once. She says Mose + Bee are so darned [underlined] fine to her. Wont hardly leave the house unless she can go along. Dick, old fellow, you owe [underlined] so much [end underlined] to Mose + Bee. Dont ever [underlined] forget how much either. I wish Pudge could

be with you- maybe he will somewhere along the li [word blocked by hole punch] e. Our crowd are very quiet these days- maybe it is because mom is away, eh? we'll see, when she comes back. They are all pretty busy tho. Mrs Rothe has a regular job with her "Aid for the Aged" program. Uncle Bill Donahey is busy with his coal business. Aunt Grace has had a badly infected hand. Dr Prout is busy trying to keep up enrollment in the face of boys leaving college for service. Ron Waugh is busy with his seedcorn this time of year- you know he raises the hybrid varietys and he has a New Hybrid that he expects to sell plenty good. Bill Donahey and [illegible] Conklin argue that he charges to much for his corn and he wants a dollar a bushel more for this New Hybrid. You see I really dont enter into all the arguments even tho I helped my dad plant those early Hybrids years ago. Old "slow poke" Young is embalming now + then. Honestly we haven't had a get together since New Years. Well son I guess I have explained about everything and you will understand [underlined] that I am carrying on, in your absence, and the old chin is up, too. Best of luck to a grand Pal. Write often as you can. Stay out from under tall trees and dont go to sleep at the switch. Alert! is the word, Sonny boy, on your toes etc. Remember your prayers and that I love you more than tongue can tell. So long buddy
[right] Love from you Dad [end right]