300 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/816b6d5ea5ab6143be3a24757ba7d7f3.pdf 3c77e91d1e2acd3a99b91921ecd5aedd PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c7547e39bac46de267f0d58e7ae0a76a.pdf d5e4f1f38b07fdc86ab2aa21805bb060 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-04-29] [Page 1] England April 29, 1945. “Dearest Darling,” Here I am again today and what a wonderful day out to go walking. Wish you were here “Sweets” so we could. I still haven’t received a letter from you, but I’ve got my fingers crossed to get one at mail call today. I miss your letters ever so much “Darling” when I don’t get them. My one desire is to squeeze you with all my might and my thoughts are always of you. Sometimes I get so depressed and blue to think of the days we were cheated of during this war. I’m so homesick for you that at times I wished I could grow wings. I will love you always “Darling” and there is no one that will take [Page 2] your place in my heart. When I get back, I hope that we can get married as soon as we can. Although, I know it will be a problem to get things ready for our wedding. Gee! I can hardly waite [sic] for the day when I can see you marching down the aisle dressed in white. Nothing will stop us from our future happiness and to enjoy a good companionship life. We may have our wrongs and faults which can be overlooked and I know our marriage will be a great success. Having you for a wife “Sweets” will be wonderful. I only hope that I shall return for at least one of the summer months. Then we can spend our “Honeymoon” near the Lake [sic] I wrote to you about and to be lost in the surrounding scenery mother nature offers. [Page 3] There are a lot of rock gardens and large flower beds around there. It’s really beautiful. We can go swimming and canoeing all over the Lake. It’s 22 miles long and a wonderful place. But if you would care to go someplace else, we shall go. Anyplace with you “Darling” will be a paradise for me. What has my young lady been doing lately? Thinking of me a little I hope. My folks are always writing about you “Sweets” and think you’re grand. Nellie wants us to visit her. She claims to have a bedroom all set for us if we visit her. There are a lot of nice places to go to where she lives. I know that country pretty well too. I used to live near there once. I’ve got a buddy in the Pacific who I wanted for “Best Man,” but I shall be disappointed if he isn’t there. He’s a six-footer and very handsome. He calls me Half Pint. What a name. Ha! Ha! [Page 4] When he returns, he and I are going out for a celebration. I hope that if we are married, that you won’t feel hurt when we go. I told him that you were broad minded enough to know that we’ve been pals since we were knee high to a grasshopper. He said he was going to give you a special hug and a kiss for it. He’s a grand guy. Ask Helen about him. Both of them couldn’t sit still two minutes without having a tussle. Well, “Darling” I shall close with all my love to you. �Always, Your Future Husband “Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Give my best regards to the family. I had to send the watch back to be repaired. That package sure did reach me via snail express. A clipping of Sad Sack enclosed. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 551 MAY 2 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 56591 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-04-29 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-04-29 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 29, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 29, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 2, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a beautiful day in England, wishing they were together again and dreaming of their wedding day and future happiness. He also writes describing the natural beauty of their potential honeymoon at the lake and his hopes for his future "Best Man." Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Weddings--Planning Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7a3811e2e425f1db210654a2a48bd624.pdf d2f52fe245c0f3a68b8cb44277c30490 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/74ca78f74bcb4006db85e1a3ce41f548.pdf d3f41668aef8966505cdcadd8a912b0e PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-04-27] [Page 1] England April 27, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Dropping you a few lines to let you know my thoughts are of you and my morale very low. Why? Because it’s two and a half weeks since I heard from you last. I keep hoping that I shall hear from you in the near future. I shall miss you as much as ever “Sweets” and love you more as times goes by. I really count the days “Darling” till I shall be able to hold you tight in my arms once again. I shall be the happiest man on Earth when that day comes because I can stand about 3 years of hugs and kisses I’ve missed. Gee! That’s an awful long time when one stops to think about it. Someday “Darling” we shall be together again if it’s God’s will and [Page 2] how fortunate I am to have a girlfriend like you. Gosh! “Sweets” every day I think of the cozy little home we shall have and live like other people. It gets me so homesick for you when I do and almost scream. I got it bad ain’t I? [sic] Wish I could bite your ears right now and squeeze you as hard as I used to. Golly that would be swell, but I’ll probably squeeze my pillow tonite [sic] as a substitute. Well, my love I shall close and write real soon. Loads of Love & Kisses Your Future Husband, Joe {Signature accent mark} PS. Enclosing another clipping. Give my best of wishes to Everyone? [sic] [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 551 APR 29 1945 �A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 56591 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-04-27 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-04-27 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 27, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 27, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 29, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after two and a half weeks of not hearing from her and experiencing low morale as a result. He also writes while dreaming of their future together and how he is counting down the days until they are together again. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a8663a4da4a88a74dcb12086d63e50bc.pdf ef33accd8075b580c2d88d16ab4af99c PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/799ed79ed2d9be86c98979ac580db6ee.pdf 0b8ffa1857eede9422052eb7a17b72c7 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-04-21] [Page 1] England April 21, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Haven’t written to you in over a week and I hope I am forgiven. We have been very busy and a lot of times, I started to write but was too tired to finish. I was very surprised “Sweets” to get that package you sent to me with the watch and fountain pen in it. That was the only thing out of the package that was not broken or spoiled. Gee! “Darling” I miss you terribly and could stand a lot of “loving” from you. I keep looking forward to the time when we shall be together. Gosh! I have so much that I would like to do then. I’m going to squeeze [Page 2] you with all my might and never let up. I love you with all my heart “Darling” and waite [sic] for the day when we shall get married and start our little home, being happy and living an enjoyable life. Golly! I wish it were now, don’t you? I shan’t be worried about you hugging and kissing me till I vanished but will love it. I wish you would squeeze me real hard right now. Will you? I’m glad you liked my flowers I had sent to you. Wish I could’ve been there to see them in full bloom. I’m sorry to hear about your aunt passing away but we all shall go when the time comes. It was very saddening news to hear of President [Page 3] Roosevelt passing away and of Ernie Pyle the news reporter. I remember him from Africa and give him a lot of credit of appreciation for what he got for us boys. He was a swell guy. I was sorry to hear that my folks did not get to see you, but they will when they can get away. I still haven’t gotten those pictures of you that were taken when you went down to Helen’s and I hope that I shall receive that. Your small proofs are wonderful and you look very beautiful in every one of them. How’s your mother and father these days? Don’t forget to give them my best of wishes, will you. Yes! “Darling” the Lord does wonderful things for us if we are patient and think of Him always. Thee [?] has brought me through the Valley [Page 4] of Shadow of Death not once but many, many times. I thought that I would not make it and I’m thankful to him. I’m still waiting patiently for my name to appear on orders for that furlough home. Gosh! What a wonderful day it will be to be with you once again. I’ve missed almost 3 years of loving, so do you think I can make it up in 45 days? I knew you’d say no. Meanie! Ha! Ha! Well, “Precious” I shall close for now hoping to hear from you real soon. Always, With Loads of Love & Kisses �Your Future Husband “Joe” {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE APR 22 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 56591 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-04-21 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-04-21 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 21, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 21, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 22, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes for the first time in over a week, sharing his appreciation for the package she sent him in addition to the news of President Roosevelt and American journalist and war correspondent, Ernie Pyle, passing away. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945 Pyle, Ernie, 1900-1945 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7edde176067c183edf99d176e73687fd.pdf 9d97974b566282a5889caf8415b65efe PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/25e82c0b4f5074fbeb4804e4078f2cdd.pdf dad38fc6dae6e64c743eda27b4864500 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-04-08] [Page 1 - front] England April 8, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Got your lovely letter of Mar. 21st and was very pleased to get it and the pictures. The pictures of you “Darling” are swell and I like every one of them. Gosh! I sure wish I could squeeze you, but I’ll squeeze the pillow instead tonite. [sic] Ha! Ha! I’ve noticed the necklace and it is very nice but not as nice as the girl wearing it. Your hair appeals to me very nice and to me “Darling” you are very pretty wearing it that way. Golly! I’d like to bite that ear of yours. Did you feel it? I just long for the day “Sweets” when we can be together and get married. But better days will come when I shall be with you always. [Page 1 - back] I never tire of reading your old letters and looking at your pictures. So, you see I’m really homesick for you. Oh Gee! I could squeeze you all nite [sic] but I’m going to be disappointed. I just got thru washing my clothes and I’m glad that’s done. I also heard from Ollie today. He stated that he, Janice, and my mother were going up to visit you and your folks. Did they? That photo of me does me an injustice because I’m not that fat. You’ve changed some too in your pictures. I still love you as much as ever and miss you a plenty. Wish they’d tell me to pack up to go home. Someday it will happen and how wonderful it will be to be able to return to a swell girl as you. I did not get the [Page 2 - front] other pictures you’ve mentioned but shall expect them. Yesterday I sent you a letter with 3 money orders in it, the amount being $280. Let me know when you get it won’t you? I sure would like to see your Aqua Suit and black shoes. [sic] Bet you’ll look very pretty swearing them. What’s the matter with Gloria? Has she broken her arm or forgotten how to write? Would like to hear from your mother too providing she has the time to write. Don’t forget to give them my regards and for you “Darling” a big bear hug. I just can’t waite [sic] to get back and sleep in a nice soft bed. I’ll probably have to stick rocks under the mattress to be comfortable. I wrote to Helen and Nellie yesterday and now to Ollie tonite [sic] so [Page 2 - back] I shall be caught up till I get some more letters. However, “Sugar” I shall write to you as often as I can. Well, I will close for this time and write real soon. Always, With Loads of Love & Kisses Your Future Husband �“Joe” {Signature accent mark} PS. Enclosing a clipping of Sad Sack. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE APR 11 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 56591 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-04-08 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-04-08 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 8, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 8, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 11, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing his feelings of homesickness while in England and holding onto her letters and photographs to keep him company. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/31158dc18537e5af22d05aebe712144d.pdf 92d80927dd63a5ac3e17b24dce7b8983 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4e0b8cbda051b89c9c45f02ac9eb8961.pdf 9de87c3de8d88247b97a1386a4d8a231 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-25] [Page 1 - front] England March 25, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Rec’d three of your back letters and was very pleased and happy to get them. My mail is coming in slow and I keep looking for more each day. I am recuperating well and feel much better since I left the hospital. I never did like being cooped up anyway. Last nite, I was pretty depressed and blue. I didn’t go nowhere except to a show which wasn’t any good. I thought of you so much and how I wished we could have been together. I got so disgusted that [Page 1 - back] I went to bed early. Gee! “Darling” I miss you terribly and love you ever so much. If I could only hold you in my arms again, I’d be a happy man. I’d bite your ears and dig your ribs. Gosh! That would be swell. If I could only get back to be with you again Darling for a little while. This Army could send me anywhere. At least I would have the satisfaction of marrying you “Darling” and making all of our plans come true. I know we shall be very happy “Darling” and living like other people. For me, I’m on needles and pins waiting and hoping. We have so much to do when I get back. But “Darling” [Page 2 - front] I shall not hesitate to marry you as soon as I get back and stay together as long as my leave permits. In a little while it’s going to be our year’s anniversary of being engaged and “Darling” I shall think of you that day. I remember it so well and I wish I could be there to say “Darling” will you marry me? [sic] Well, “Sugar” what have you been doing lately? I know that you get depressed too but it comes mixed in with our everyday life. I thank God for being alive and all of the countless blessings He has given me. I know that if I come to him in my sorrows and joy, believing His divine “Word,” that nothing on Earth can take away my happiness. [Page 2 - back] How are your folks? Give them a hello for me won’t you. I got two packages from my folks and I’m looking forward in receiving the ones you’ve sent me. I also expect most of your wonderful letters too and I really do miss them. Will close hoping to hear from you real, real soon. Yours Always With Loads of Love, Hubby “Joe” {Signature accent mark} �[Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 U.S. Army c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 551 MAR 30 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-25 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-03-25 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 25, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 25, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, U.S. Army, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 30, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with positive news of his recovery upon leaving the hospital, in addition to his feelings for his future wife as they approach the one year anniversary of their engagement. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7929aaca1d596a1a484169e3ebf364a6.pdf 5fb294a34eede13d11e5b464e7ccf579 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a8556f9d76f2963be7aa12e55534d815.pdf 1aaa39d09de5a4240223ca9224621176 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-12_02] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} [?] To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From (12016893) S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. March 12, 1945. (Sender’s complete address above) England My “Darling,” Have written you two letters and hope this V-mail reaches you to let you know of my new address. I am on my new assignment of training men and got a good break. The Officers and men are swell so I’ve no complaints. I have not received any of the mail from the hospital as yet but expect it soon. Will be glad when my mail is regular again. Have been thinking of you all day today. I still miss you as much as ever and love you more each day. It was a beautiful day out and wished more than once that I could have had you here with me to go for a stroll. How has everything been with you at work today? Did you think of me any? Will close and write real soon. Yours always With Loads of Love, Joe {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE �OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE MAR 19 3 AM 1945 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 [V-mail envelope - back] Delwood [?] Chicago Dr. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-12_02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-03-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 12, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 12, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 19, 1945. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes informing her of his new address and positive experience with his new assignent. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1ba090a5c686ad69f1d7cadb9d865f01.pdf 9afd5d3fe4cf5a8c0649614c073b97da PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1d8199c9bc92ae12f3757b242f8c43d0.pdf 6e84f6f91638985621a61a751bb9562e PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-12_01] [Page 1] England March 12, 1945. “My Darling,” Today is Sunday and what a beautiful day out. I sure did wish that we could go walking but you are so far away. I miss you as much as ever Darling and love you more each day. Gee! I wish I could squeeze you right now. I’d bite your ears if you’d lean over here. Ha! Ha! I thought of you a lot today “Sweets.” If we would only be together again what a fortunate fellow I would be. Someday “Darling” we shall be and that’s going to be wonderful. I still haven’t rec’d any of your letters as yet, but I’ve got my fingers crossed. I did get an old V-mail from Ollie [Page 2] written around the first of Dec. I shall be very happy when my mail comes in regular again. I’ve had many addresses so I can readily see how slow my mail gets to me. Well, “Darling” my job is a good one and I really got a break this time. I’m getting along quite well too. When my name comes up for that furlough, I might faint from the shock. Ha! Ha! I hope this letter finds you in good health and most of all, thinking of me. We still have a lot to plan “Sweets” for our future so Uncle Sam ought to wisen up. Ha! Ha! [sic] What have you been doing lately? Did you see any good movies? What are the new songs over there now? Have you taken any recent pictures? If you [Page 3] have I hope you’ve sent me some? How are the folks and the baby? Don’t forget to give them my best regards. There are two fellows here who want me to forward a “Hello” through you to Gloria, so don’t forget to tell her about it. As for you “Darling” I enclose a big hug. Did you feel it? Ha! Ha! I’m only teasing now but it’s a good thought. Well, my love I shall close hoping to hear from you real soon. Remember “Sweets,” I shall love you always. Yours Forever, With Loads of Hugs & Kisses {symbols} Your Future Husband Joe {Signature accent mark} � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-12_01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-03-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 12, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 12, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a beautiful Sunday in England, sharing the news of how he is getting along well and enjoying his new job, in addition to missing her as much as ever. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/99c1b65605ca41323bd7cb340bd4de45.pdf fc90d3e2ee3fb9b12305f9567b06c412 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6f7afa7b68c9d243b1f77361b63c56e9.pdf f02123eb1c864c5712da9dd96d2120b0 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-09] [Page 1 - front] 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. March 9, 1945 “My Darling,” Have been thinking of you as usual so I thought to write you another letter. I’m coming along fine with my new job which is training men. I shall do my best and in time, I shall be as good as ever. It’s nothing to worry about so please don’t. I expect mail any day now and I’m glad I shall be here to get it regular. I’ve met one fellow who was in my company, so I know at least one fellow here. I have put in a furlough request to go home for 30 days and now all I’ve got to do is waite. [sic] Gee! “Darling,” what a happy man [Page 1 - back] I will be when I get it. We sure will have a lot of planning to do in a short while but I know it will turn out for the best. I still miss you “Sweets” and wish right now that I could hold you in my arms again. Gosh! That would be swell and I don’t think I’ll ever tire squeezing you. See what you’re in for? Ha! Ha! We shall get married as soon as we can when I get back and I shall be very lucky to have a wife such as you. I never worry about us not getting along, for I know we shall be happy. My birthday rolled around and I only had one beer. If you were here, I might have taken you to celebrate it. Instead I went to bed. Well, how is everything going for [Page 2 - front] you? Working hard and thinking of me, I hope? I haven’t heard from no one since I left the hospital so I can’t write anything about them. I intend to write some more tonite [sic] to give them my new address. If I had some more of your lovely letters, I’d have more to write. Don’t know how I got this far? Ha! Ha! Well, “Sugar” how are your folks? Don’t forget to give them my best regards, will you? I’m still anxious to know whether you got the package I sent and the valentines? Did you? I’ve written you a V-mail and a letter with another address, so you don’t have to use that other address at all. I never knew that I could have so many addresses [Page 2 - back] in [text strikethrough] such a short time. Maybe the sheriff’s after me. Ha! Ha! Will close “Sweets” and write real soon. All my Love Your future Husband, �“Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Enclosing “Sad Sack.” Would you send me some air mail stamps? [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE [?] [text partially missing due to top right corner of envelope being torn with missing stamp] A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-09 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-03-09 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 9, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 9, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa March 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news of his new job and his furlough request for a thirty-day return home to the United States. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Weddings--Planning Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/72735a129fce1815c87e965b390aba2c.pdf 58c25e6f8fd0bb5a9373fb8db253fda1 PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d5fa1fc29f74d107d1b7342df3b31f37.pdf 47f7e8f7b5ad27e001098f21be6dbc05 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-05] [Page 1 - front] England Mar. 5, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Have been thinking of you as usual so I thought to write you another letter. I’m getting along fine here so there’s no need of you to worry. Gee! Sweets, I miss you so much and how happy I shall be, when we are together once again. If I could only be back to change your name would be great but we’ve still got to hope. When I put in for that furlough, you’d better have your fingers crossed for me. I love you with all my heart “Darling” and consider myself very fortunate to have a girl such as you to love. Gosh! I could squeeze you for ages & ages without any let up. We have so much to do and plan and how I wish we could be together to do it. I hear the song “Long Ago and Far Away” [Page 1 - back] so often that I get awful homesick just for you. I really like that song too. I still think that I will not get any of your packages and discouraging it is for me. That’s why I hate to ask for packages. Helen told me about the bracelet you sent me and I really always wanted one but if it don’t get this one you may be able to send me another. I also think of the good watch I never got and that makes me mad. To my estimation someone else got it on the way over. Did you get the pictures, Valentines, and package I sent to you? I hope you have. Well, “Sugar” how is everything with you and your work? Do you think of me a tiny bit each day? You have, that’s swell and if you didn’t, I’d bite your ears real hard. Threatening ain’t I? Ha! Ha! Just waite and see!! [sic] [Page 2 - front] I’ve still got your letters that I received at the hospital and I read them over & over. I never get tired of it either. Helps to keep my morale from going too low. Since I am not going back to the Front, I shall be able to write to you more often. I never thought I would come back to the same place to stay, as when we first came overseas. That was a long time and what memories in the gap. If I don’t hurry up and get home, you might be an old maid. Ha! Ha! But I will not let it happen for I have only room enough in my heart for one girl which is you. Tomorrow is my birthday and I wish I could celebrate it with you. Matter of fact, I’m not going to celebrate it this year. [Page 2 - back] Well, how are your folks and the baby? Don’t forget to give them my regards, will you? Haven’t anything else to write about at present so I shall close and will write again soon. Loads of Love & Kisses Your Future Husband, �“Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Enclosing two clippings. Would you send me some air-mail stamps? {Cartoon insert entitled, “Tomorrow the World!” by John R. Fischetti} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn. [?] A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – New York, N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 551 MAR 7 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 45517 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-05 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-03-05 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 5, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 5, 1945. The envelope is sent from 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn., A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 7, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on the day before his birthday, sharing how he is homesick for her and wishing they could celebrate his special day together. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/076195fc8ceca3f5c135eeeb03adb237.pdf d1e5143d7254f936b851984a00fe4c4a PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6803749c3c5018feb97dcf6b880d8aa4.pdf 9a6c86e0f5fb7317491ef9807fd730f5 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-04] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY [?] U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From (12016893) S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn. [?] A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. Mar. 4, 1945. (Date) England “My Dearest Darling,” Late again in writing but have a good excuse because I am now on my new assignment. I am not going back to the Front and in time my nerves will be as good as ever. Well, “Darling” my thoughts are always of you and I miss you terribly. Gee! I sure would like to be with you, just long enough to tell you how much I love you. Boy! That would be great. Just two more days till I have my third birthday overseas and to me it seems like years that I was last with you. Someday Darling” if it’s God’s will, we shall be together again. Write to me at the above address. I’ll miss your lovely letters again for a while, but I hope to get a bushel-ful [sic] when I do. Well, I will close and shall write again soon. Give your regards to your folks? All my Love Your Future Husband, “Joe” {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] �WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE MAR 12 5 PM 1945 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-04 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-03-04 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 4, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 4, 1945. The envelope is sent from 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn., A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 12, 1945. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes just two days before his third birthday spent overseas, sharing the news of his new assignment away from the front lines and all of his love to his bride-to-be. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/59d2ad6b4d643a2a5c39ebb660be9a97.pdf 818b2bd485fa3d3c1412ad7e65db0ace PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d54ec5b324576dfbf38776e893ee7c95.pdf 3a7fd7b9240aa12e058dfe05479c7a0d PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-21] [Page 1 - front] England Feb. 21, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Got your lovely letter of Jan. 30th and the card your mother sent. I was very pleased too that she liked my gift. I got quite a few of my back letters but no packages as yet which I hope to receive. Helen told me of the identification bracelet you got for me and “Darling” I’ve always wanted one. I’ll give you a big hug for that when I get back. Now, all I’ve got to do is waite [sic] for that package to arrive. “Darling” you are always in my thoughts and I sure do miss you. Boy! Wait till I see you again. You’ll never have any rest. I’ll squeeze you day and nite. [sic] See! What you’re in for. Your lipstick kisses are wonderful and it’s a [Page 1 - back] good substitute although I’d like the real ones. Gee! How I’d love to have you kiss me right now. Wouldn’t take much to ring the bell and for me to have high blood pressure. Gosh! Darling, I love you terribly! Just wait till I can show you. When I get that furlough to go home “Darling” we’ll get married as soon as we can and if we don’t I shall be very disappointed. I just can’t wait to see your ring and put it on your finger. I hope I don’t get a lump in my throat when I say “Darling,” will you marry me? We still have a lot of plan but with a swell girl as you for a wife, our future will a happy one. I don’t think we shall have to get used to other again because I’ll still be able to dig your ribs and bite your ears like I used to only this time it will be three years’ worth. Boy that’s going to be swell. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Army Hosp. Plant A.P.O.-63 c/o PM. New York, N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY 63 FEB 23 1945 POSTAL SERVICE Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. �Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 40010 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-21 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-02-21 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 21, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 21, 1945. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4152 U.S. Army Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-63, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 23, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing his love and his appreciation of her lipstick kisses, in addition to daydreaming about a proper in-person proposal upon his return home to Michigan. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Lipstick Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2870709a5dbfa2f63adb26d69058e647.pdf 67f530dad30977c51ebbe574f1f3cff9 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1cc3ca2bfdbbdb702f043960285ccd50.pdf 46fde6c6ab833e75c10ce3a5643cf26a PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-19] [Page 1 - front] England Feb. 19, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Five days have past and I sure wish that I will get another letter from you. I miss them and you, so much. I’m still coming along fine and I expect to leave this hospital soon. As I’ve written before I’m going on Limited assignment but as yet don’t know where I shall go. [sic] I work out every day doing odd jobs to keep myself busy. You are always in my thoughts “Darling” and how I wish I could squeeze you right now. Gee! That would be swell. If I don’t get home to see you pretty soon, I’m going to bust with all my love for you piling up. Almost three years’ [Page 1 - back] worth and that a plenty. Isn’t it? Gosh! “Sweets” we’ve got so much to plan that I think it will only get half done when we are together. I’ll just squeeze you for the first week is all. See! What you’re in for. Ha! Ha! [sic] I just can’t wait at times for the day when I shall return to you and if it is the Lord’s will, I shall. I shall love you always “Darling” and I know we shall live a very happy life. With a girl like you for a wife, I’ll have the world by the tail. I’ve sent out the photo’s I’ve mentioned in my last letter to you. The one with Susie written on it goes to my sister Nell. You’ll know where to send the other ones. How is everything going with you now days “Darling.” If you don’t think of me [Page 2 - front] at least once in a day, I might jump out of my picture and bite you. I just love to bite that left ear of yours and hard too. Well Young Lady, you’ll have to learn how to press my pants because I intend to retire after we’re married and I want to look neat. I’m going to sit around the first year we are married, watching you work then retire for the rest of the years to follow. Golly! That’s going to be swell. Do you think it’s a good idea? How is your folks these days? Give them all my regards, won’t you? I hope by now that you received the Valentines and souvenirs I’ve sent. Do you like them? I’ve still got to write to Helen [Page 2 - back] and after that I’ll take a shower and go to bed. I haven’t been paid in four months and when I get that money, I’m going to send you three hundred dollars. I’ve got $50 dollars now for spending money so I shan’t be short. At least we shall have a good start including the bank book Helen’s got for me and it shall come in handy. Won’t it? Well, “Precious” I will close with all my love to you. Your Future Husband Joe �{Signature accent mark} P.S. It shan’t be long till our year anniversary rolls around of our engagement and what a fortunate fellow I am. Loads of Love & Kisses to the sweetest girl I love. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-19 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-02-19 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 19, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 19, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while recovering in the hospital in England, highlighting the nearly three years they have been apart and his plans to make up for lost time. Joe also writes teasing Agnes about his early retirement plans upon returning home to Michigan. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/26e33c364ae05f4a66a7739009675c3a.pdf 75783f32320a11a0622b1149fe5a026c PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c1540e1cd11c0e65a2bc02faed491b25.pdf bea4f605d054ce81006ed10d02ff84c9 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-15] [Page 1 - front] England Feb. 15, 1945. “My Darling,” Rec’d your lovely letter of Jan. 22 addressed to me here and I was mighty pleased to get it. I just wrote you a nice long better yesterday in answer to your other two. I hope by now that you got some of my other letters I had written to you. I shall try very hard to write more often for I know it’s discouraging not to receive mail regularly. It sure would be nice “Darling” if I could be able to return home for a while. Gosh! We’d have so many things to do I think we’d never get them half done, do you? It’s hard to say what it will like when we meet again Darling, but I shall give [Page 1 - back] you the biggest hug and kisses I ever did. I keep looking forward to that day too, be it near or far. I may have forgotten to put all of my love in that V-mail but Young Lady just waite [sic] till I get you in my arms again. You’ll never mention anything about what I didn’t write. What do you think of that? You’ll have to suffer the consequences. Ha! Ha! Every day, I keep longing to be with you and miss you very much. I shall love you always “Darling” and I know we shall be very happy when we are married. I’ve squeezed you so much in my thoughts “Sweets” that you may look like a rag doll going thru a lot of punishment. Bad ain’t I? Darling did you get the Valentines I sent? I hope you have. I have not sent out the photos of [Page 2 - front] myself as yet but they will be on the way soon. There are only four of them and you can send the other three to the ones I’ve written in for. You bet we shall go out together and I shall enjoy every moment when I do because I’ll have the best girl in the world to escort around. I’m pleased to know that you liked the comforter I had Helen get you for your birthday and we shall be real warm when winter comes in our future years together. No, I’m not in the same hospital that I was when I was wounded although it isn’t too far from there. I spent Christmas day riding on a hospital train from Paris and I really thought of you a lot that day. Maybe you heard me. Ha! Ha! No, I don’t have to stay in bed and work out during the day. I’m doing some plumbing [Page 2 - back] work to keep me busy. I’m not a total nervous wreck, it’s just that I’ve taken a lot of physical and mental punishment. I shall be as good as new someday, but it shall take time. I also got a letter and a Valentine from Helen. Your letters smell very nice and your kisses are adorable. I can hardly waite to feel the fragrance and tenderness of your lips, like the last kiss I got from you, ages ago. [sic] Well “Darling” I shall close with all my love to you. Your Future Husband �Joe {Signature accent mark} With Loads of Kisses P.S. Sending you a history of our outfit that I want you to keep for me. I’m allowed to send this home. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Army Hosp. Plant A.P.O.-63 c/o PM. New York, N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY 63 FEB 16 1945 POSTAL SERVICE Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 40010 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. {red lipstick imprints} � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-15 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-02-15 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 15, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 15, 1945. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4152 U.S. Army Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-63, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 16, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England hoping she received the Valentines he sent and sharing how he spent his Christmas holiday thinking of her while traveling on a hospital train from Paris, France. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Valentine’s Day Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/740cc73252aa3bfdaa4af824a3dcf5c6.pdf fa4e6b111f319e55efa343ba3afc314d PDF Text Text ������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/792a03479b6c48f0d18e27c6f2e80ce8.pdf bf2d482aee2200962006ea94b9cb8f41 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-14] [Page 1 - front] England Feb. 14, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Rec’d two of your letters dated Dec. 29th and Jan. 9th and was very pleased to receive them. It’s been 3 months since I got one of your lovely letters, so I’m tickled. I’m improving fairly well although it shall take time to fully recover. I may leave the hospital soon on Non-Combatant duty so it will help me some. I sure would like to be home with you, but I shall have to waite [sic] as usual and if it’s the Lord’s will, I shall return. I miss you very much “Darling” and still await the day when I can take you in my arms once again. Gee! I’d squeeze you till daybreak without every letting up. That [Page 1 - back] would be wonderful for me. Ha! Ha! This war may keep you from me, but it doesn’t stop me from loving you with all my heart. That’s one thing I have on the Army. I’m also pleased to hear you liked the gift Helen sent to you for me. I like it too. Well, “Darling,” I wish I could be in your arms to smell the perfume I sent you. I’d be in paradise (sigh). We shall get married when I return and nothing shall interfere with us being happy. I’m fortunate, too, to get a swell girl like you to be my wife. Gosh!! “Darling” I’m awful homesick for you. Couldn’t you just jump in a letter and come to me for a little while, for I’d like to get that big hug you promised in this letter. Boy! That would be swell. It sure would raise my morale. [Page 2 - front] I still haven’t rec’d any of the packages so I take it that they are lost. Just my luck not to get the cookies you’ve made and all of the other things. Packages never seem to reach me. I’d like to know the reason why. With all of the wonderful gifts you got, I must say “Santa” was very generous. I’d like to see the blanket your folks gave you and the other things. I hope too that you will be able to get that cedar chest. “Darling” did you ever get the money I sent to you? I sent $180 dollars at one time and $125 in November? I hope you did. How are you coming along with your cooking? You ought to be able to cook me a good meal when I return. I’m a hungry man you know. [Page 2 - back] It’s like wishing for a star to return and be an instructor somewhere in the States but I’d love it because we could be together. You being Mrs. Olexa and us together, would be all I’d ask. I hope by the time you get this letter that you got the things I sent you from here. There just some souvenirs I made and I hope you like them. Well, “Darling” you’d better not brag about me too much because I’m not half that good. I know we shall be very happy “Darling” in our cozy little home we shall have. It’s going to be swell to return home from work to a lovely wife such as �you’ll be. Our problems may be hard but we shall see them thru so nothing will stop us living in happiness. We’ve been separated [Page 3 - front] so long but someday we shall make up for it won’t we. I still have your picture on my stand and you seem to be lovelier every time I look at you. Gosh, I’d love to bite your ears and pull some of them curls. I’ve taken a photo of myself that I will send to you soon. It’s not too good but it will give you an idea of what I look like since my last picture of a year ago. How is Gloria making out with all of her boy-friends now days? [sic] How many has she given the air already. Did she answer my letter I wrote to her in October? How is your mother & dad and the rest of the family? Don’t forget to give them my best of regards, will you? I’d like to see the pin your mother got, you ought [Page 3 - back] to describe it to me for I haven’t received that letter of Helen’s telling me about them. You know I haven’t heard from my brother Johnny in ages. Wonder what happened to him. Ollie writes regular and I nearly take a fit. What’s come over him is beyond me. Well, “Darling” I shall close hoping to hear from you real soon. I haven’t as yet rec’d any letters from you with this address but hope to soon. Loads of Love & Kisses Your Future Husband Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Remember “Darling” my thoughts are always of you. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O.-63 c/o PM. New York, N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY 63 FEB 16 1945 POSTAL SERVICE Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. �Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 40010 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-14 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-02-14 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 14, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 14, 1945. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4152 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-63, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 16, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while recovering in the hospital in England and after receiving the first forwarded letters from her in over three months. He continues to write that he will be leaving the hospital in the near future and placed on "Non-Combatant" duty, in addition to updating Agnes on his latest news. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0d42615654998115df71d3b2b3055e6a.pdf 0a16ea4c73a10ed54fcd07f28e77f677 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3fb1f0a3616cf39f40e98669103ac2ba.pdf 102c936564221671ea25e49743b54d4d PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-08-30] [Page 1] Sicily August 30, 1943 Hello Darling, Haven’t heard from you in over a week and it seems like ages. I shall probably get them all together. I’m fine as usual “Sweets” and hope you are the same. I still miss you as much as ever and think of you most of the time. I got a letter from Helen the other day telling me about my mother visiting her. I suppose by now that your folks are now living in Grand Rapids. It’s only a three-hour ride by train from Detroit and I hope that, when, I get back home, we can be together more often. [sic] I haven’t seen Roy in three days and plan to go over to see him today. We are having movies every nite. [sic] Some of the pictures [Page 2] are old ones but good. Some of the pictures we saw so far are “My Favorite Wife,” “The Navy Comes Through,” “Hudson Bay,” and a few others. Tonite [sic] I think we are going to see “White Cargo.” I just came back from church services and heard a good sermon. I couldn’t sing though, for I’m hoarse from yelling too much at a ball game. Our team won so it was worth it. How are the Walsh’s and the rest? If you get to see them, don’t forget to give them my best regards. We are now having the usual training to keep us fit and in shape. Where we are going from here and when is beyond me. When, I get home, I’m going to have plenty things to talk about with you and it ain’t going to be about the war either. Just keeping you in suspence. [sic] Ha! Ha! [Page 3] I guess you are disappointed in me not going back to the States as Roy wrote to Carolyn. Whatever made him write that is beyond me? I nearly forgot to tell you that “Bob Hope” and Frances Langford were here and put on a pretty good show. Bob Hope sure gave a lot of wise cracks and jokes you could take in two ways. Well, it was a surprise to me of them coming here for it’s the first time that we got to see any radio or movie stars. It has been a long time since I left the States for overseas duty and its going on 14 months since I saw you last. Someday soon, I hope to make good the last time. Ha! Ha! That’s if you haven’t found another boyfriend. I may be very jealous you know. I’m sending you some more Italian paper [Page 4] money. One is a 5 lira [?] note and the other 2 liras [?]. Worth 7 cents in American money. I certainly surprised myself by writing a long letter and hope you didn’t faint. Will close for this time “Honey” and write real soon. Yours Always, �With Lots of Love & Kisses Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Don’t forget to send me some more pictures. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1943-08-30 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-08-30 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 30, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 30, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in Sicily and covers numerous topics including the most recent news from their families back home in Michigan, the latest movies he has seen, and the entertaining show Bob Hope and Frances Langford put on for the troops. He also writes that he has been stationed overseas for the past fourteen months and missing Agnes every moment of their time apart. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Sicily (Italy) Motion pictures--1940-1950 Hope, Bob, 1903-2003 Langford, Frances Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/900cce18a964ff3e03413e23c46c4442.pdf 470dac77131af4a2d875eba9bb620841 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3043e2bd5608b0471c492cb818259ef4.pdf 3788100c059a1c31b4270fc83679b577 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-09] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY [?] U.S. ARMY EXAMINER To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From (12016893) S/Sgt. Joseph Olexa Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Army Hosp. A.P.O.-63 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. Feb. 9, 1945 (Sender’s complete address above) “My Darling,” Haven’t as yet received any of your letters but hope to real soon. I miss them and you so much. Ollie wrote and told me he took some pictures of you, so I take it that you did visit Helen. Did you have a good time there? Well, “Darling” I’m not going back to Combat any more so just as soon as I leave the hospital I am to be put on limited service. I wish it was returning to be with you again because we have so much to plan and do. Have you had a busy day today? Hope you thought of me some too. Ha! Ha! I sure hope you got the things I sent you from here. Well, “Precious” I shall close and may I get a letter from you real soon. Yours Always, With Loads of Love, “Joe” {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] �WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 19 3:30 PM 1945 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-02-09 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-02-09 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 9, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 9, 1945. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4152 U.S. Army Hospital, A.P.O-63 c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 19, 1945. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes, sharing how much he misses her and her letters and discussing how he will be placed on "limited service" upon leaving the hospital instead of returning to combat once again. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4040f343a4d1c6a43bcdca3e0aa19220.pdf b253cbb220130bb4c5db7572372b3380 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/66a9afc03157e094de8bf4ef0fe28581.pdf 0dc64d496827b2c21f4cf21c7ba430bb PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-01-21] [Page 1] England Jan. 21, 1945 “My Darling,” Here I am late as usual but my thoughts of you are ever present and how I wish we were together again. I’m improving slowly and as I’ve written it will take time for my nerves to get settled again. However, it is nothing for you to worry about and I hope you won’t? [sic] I love you more each day “Darling” and my one desire is to be with you and hold you in my arms once again. It’s been ages since I did that last but I’ve [Page 2] imagined of holding you in my arms a million times. I’d like so much to be able to talk over our future plans together and until I do return, we shall have to be as patient as we’ve always been. I’ve made some souvenirs for you which I intend to send you as soon as I can. I’m not going to tell you what it is. Just like me to be a meanie, but it will make you think of me more, guessing what it will be. Ha! Ha! Well, “Darling” I have not as yet rec’d any of your back letters which I miss very [Page 3] much but I have hopes of getting them soon. Right now, I wouldn’t like nothing better than to bite your ears and pull your hair. It would suit me to a T. Ha! Ha! I always think of the swell times we spent together and they never fade. It is a beautiful day out today being clear and cold with the ground covered with a little snow which makes it wonderful. I went to church this morning and heard a very good sermon. Wished you were here to go with me. Well, “Sweets,” what have you been doing lately? Thinking of [Page 4] me, I hope? How is the work? Are you still working hard? I’m still anxious to get the answers to my questions I’ve asked before in my other letters and hope some of them are in my back mail. How are your folks and the baby? Don’t forget to give them my best regards. You know Darling, I could recuperate better if I were sent home, but the Army don’t think so. Some guys are fortunate to get these furloughs to recuperate back home but when I shall be that lucky is beyond me. Maybe two and a half years isn’t long enough. Will close Sweets with all my love to you and write real soon. Yours Always - With Loads of Hugs – “Joe.” � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-01-21 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-01-21 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 21, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 21, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while back in England, where his health is slowly improving and his nervous system is in need of healing. He notes that the absence of her letters has affected his morale and how a furlough back home would help him recuperate after two and a half years spent overseas. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Church services Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a62a4e88709f5280a8c2a5bcc2c3e1d8.pdf aa8320750866c931f439d171316ce92f PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/df80eafa876f8baefb80bec245f35c08.pdf 523493a642552a84e8c44ee39242389a PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-12-30] [Page 1] Dec. 30, 1944 France “My Dearest Darling,” Have been thinking of you again today so I’ve decided to write. Well, “Darling,” I’m improving some but slow and after a good long rest, I hope to be as good as new. I miss your mail so much and just dying to read your lovely letters. Still impatient. I still love you as much as ever “Darling” and more every day. If I don’t get back soon, I’m going to bust not having you to love. I still long to be with you and await the day when we can be together again. Gee! Just think we could go on with our plans and in between make up for all of the time I’ve been away. That would be swell. I hope “Darling” that you aren’t [Page 2] worrying about me, for if you are my morale will go down to zero. I’m still anxious to get your letters regular again so I shall be able to write a little more than what I do. Ain’t I awful going slack on my writing? But I promise it will pick up. Remember the time when I wrote about them long strolls and taking you with me. Well, I took your picture looking at the valley below without you knowing it. So I’m sending it to you. The little girl on the other side is Marie. I gave her the name of Marie. I gave her the name of Marie because she’s so cute at least I think it fits her because I like that name. Don’t you think so? The more I look at her the better I like her. I like your name [Page 3] too and if I were to choose one from the two It would be very hard. Well so much for that. I wish I could sit with you beside the radio one of these cold winter days like I used to. Boy, it sure would [be] swell. I keep bringing back all of them lovely days and how I miss them. Guess I’ll have to waite [sic] though won’t I? But “Darling” it will be well worthwhile. At least I can dream can’t I, Mrs. Olexa. Ha! Ha! I’m just anxious to know what you were doing during the Holidays. New Year’s is just around the corner and 3 years ago I spent part of my furlough with you. Remember? We were started for a dance but didn’t get very far. But [Page 4] I didn’t mind and enjoyed the evening. How is Gloria and her Beau’s now days [sic] and how many did she ditch this time? How are your folks? Don’t forget to give them my best regards and wishes? Well, “Darling” I shall come to a close, with all my love to the best girl in the world. Yours Always, With Loads of Kisses “Joe” �{Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE JAN 2 1945 165 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 46060 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. {two red lipstick imprints} � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-12-30 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-12-30 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, December 30, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 30, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 2, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes during the holiday season, sharing the news of his slow recovery in France and how much he misses receiving her letters while in the hospital. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ee7f87fef8ee4c67191a6b5c43c4b442.pdf c13c1a8d305f08c9c5251d0fb702e32a PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fd166897fd34d23bdc14fc9b81c1a6c3.pdf 7a3b8074110d2075cc4d75e1eab8cd79 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-12-28] [Page 1] France Dec. 28, 1944. “My Darling,” I hope that you haven’t thought I’ve forgotten you with my letters so few. Well, “Darling” I’ve been on the move so much is the reason and when I get settled, I’ll give you my address so you can right direct. [sic] I’m still in the hospital and have not been operated on as yet, but it’s nothing serious so you need not worry. I had a pretty good Christmas and thanked God that I’m still alive. I also thought of you Darling, wondering what you were doing and whether you enjoyed this Christmas. Of course, I think of you every day and someday my wishes will come true. I still miss you as much as ever Darling and long to be with you. I’m getting very impatient waiting to knip [sic] your noose and bite your ears. Boy I’d enjoy that very much and just think I could squeeze you half to death and not even notice it. Getting to be a meanie, ain’t I? Well, what did Santa bring you this year? I’ll bet your one big wish did [Page 2] not come true about me being with you, for I was just as disappointed. I even had an extra-large sock hung on my bed hoping to see you there. Instead, I found a note saying, “Sorry, Santa’s gone to war”. I’m going to get mad at him one of these days because I’ve missed 4 Christmas’ already. How are your folks and the baby? Hope there fine. [sic] How is the work? I shall be very disappointed if I don’t hear of you not thinking of me once in a while during your lunch. I haven’t as yet received any mail and I’m pretty darn lonesome without your lovely letters “Darling.” Hope when it does reach me that I’ll have a bushelful just from you. I don’t want much, do I? Will close “Darling” and remember, I will love you always. Yours forever With Loads of Hugs & Kisses {symbols} “Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. I’m sending a couple more clippings of “Sad Sack.” [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. {Postmark} �U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE DEC 30 1944 165 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 46065 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-12-28 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-12-28 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, December 28, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 28, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 30, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in a hospital in France, awaiting his operation and reassuring her for the reason behind his recent lack of communication. He also writes asking Agnes if she had an enjoyable Christmas and wondering what Santa brought her this year. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Christmas Sad Sack Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5aeb4612f1933610b56016613fdc3251.pdf 882214d71bec3c236f0be5a8cd01ae6a PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1cb90c246b0646a6ad2ae49eff8aa5e1.pdf b26ea613416a3a871b606f547a8e1359 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-12-16] [Page 1 - front] December 16, 1944. Belgium “My Dearest Darling,” I’m really sorry for not writing as often as I should and hope I am forgiven. Nevertheless, my thoughts are always of you “Darling” and I still miss you terribly. If I could only be with you for a while it would be paradise and then I could squeeze you as much as I want to. I don’t want you to worry about me “Darling” for I’m still safe and well. I still think of my dream castles with you inside and how happy I shall be when they come true. Anyway, my blues and loneliness seem to fly away when I pretend to be with you. At times, I’m very impatient about us not being together but God will bring us together again if it’s his will, so I have much to look forward to. Especially when I have you to love. We shall still have to be patient as in the past and trust in the Lord who will make us happy in the days to come and eternity. My love for you “Darling” shall never die and I’m very anxious to start on our future. My first wish when I return is to make you Mrs. Olexa providing you give me the green light, which I know you will. [Page 1 - back] I shall be very happy then and may we live in peace and enjoy our prosperous future together. It’s wonderful to think of you and our little home we are going to have. I can picture you now with a bright-colored apron and your hair resting on your shoulders the way you have it. Gee! If I don’t hurry back, I’m liable to get homesick but can I help it if you bite big chunks into my heart. I still look at your picture and you seem to be prettier every day. See! What you’ve done to me? But I love you for it and nothing shall ever take it away from me. Well Darling, how is everything getting along with you? Still working as hard as ever? I wish I could get some of your lovely letters which hasn’t caught up with me as yet and miss terribly. [sic] I also hope that your packages will arrive too, so I’ve got my fingers crossed. Your wonderful cookies would be swell right now, but I sure will have a big appetite when they do get here. I thought of you so much on your birthday that I just couldn’t be still. Gee! Darling, I never wished so much in my life as I did that day of being with you and it was fortunate for me that I have your pictures, for I might have screamed. Getting bad, ain’t I? [Page 2 - front] If I could write as much as I think, the mailman would be pretty mad at me carrying so much mail and I wish I could disappoint him. Helen is doing all of my Christmas shopping this year and all I have to do is ride the back seat and waite [sic] to hear whether the gifts are suitable. I’m living in luxury, I guess, not running everywhere to find the gifts and is fun. [sic] Maybe I’m not fortunate after all. Did Helen ever tell you of the Teddy Bear I got her. I must have traveled in 100 stores to find the one I wanted. I had to buy a new pair of shoes on credit after that, but it was fun. Well to get off of the subject I write of something else for a while. [sic] How is your mother and the baby? And the rest of the family? Don’t forget to give them my best regards and �a Merry Christmas. I want you to have one too “Darling” and the only way it can be is to think of me and I shall do the same. I don’t want much, do I? I’m still in the hospital and I’m to have an operation for Hemorrhoid. After my operation, I’m supposed to be reclassified and do noncombatant duty. One can never tell what the Army will do, so I [Page 2 - back] won’t believe it till it happens. Anyway, I have something to look forward to. Did you get the vacation you wrote about and where did you go to spend it? I hope you had an enjoyable time. I also hope that you will like the gift I’m getting you so I can’t waite [sic] for Christmas to find out. Well, “Darling” I must close with all my love to you. Yours forever, With Loads of Hugs & Kisses “Joe” {Signature accent mark} � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-12-16 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-12-16 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, December 16, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 16, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while located in Belgium and asks for her forgiveness for not writing as often in recent weeks, sharing the news that he is being treated in the hospital and will be reclassified for "non-combatant duty" upon his return. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/57455b3b7381af28bdbf66fff8ce9ed3.pdf 62e2bff5f70d063a81c781b43dc529fe PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7f754a355e4821b3018b1e21c1215a67.pdf 74789a7a7d24f2787c08f90e216714ba PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-12-03] [Page 1] Belgium Dec. 3, 1944. “My Dearest Darling,” I haven’t written to you in a long time, so I’ve decided to write you a few lines. I’m now in a hospital recuperating from a rundown condition. I’m not wounded so you needn’t worry. I still want you to write to my company address. I haven’t rec’d any of your lovely letters or packages as yet, but I hope to soon. Did you get the 125 dollars I sent you 3 weeks ago? I’ve got another 150 to send you when I get the chance. My thoughts are always of you “Darling” and my longing for you will never cease, until the day arrives when I can squeeze you like I used too. That’s going to be grand and I hope that we shall be together from then only and live in our future plans. [sic] How are you making out in your work? I’ll bet there is a big Christmas rush started already? How is your mother and the baby? Don’t forget to give all of them my best [Page 2] wishes and regards? I haven’t written to anyone in a long time and hope to catch up on it. Sometimes, I don’t have an urge to write when I should, but I’ll manage to write in some way. “Darling,” I still love you as much as ever and as I’ve said before there is no room for anyone else. I blame my condition right now on war nerves. Being at the front so long has got me down and being weary as I am, I could take a good long rest. As I’ve said before, it probably will be a long time yet before I can return. It’s discouraging but we’ll have to be patient. I don’t know what I would do without a girl like you. Your picture is lovely and I look at it often. I guess it’s the best birthday present I ever got. Well, I shall close with all my love to you and write real soon. Remember not to worry any about me. Promise!! Yours forever With Loads of Hugs & Kisses “Joe” {Signature accent mark} � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-12-03 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-12-03 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, December 3, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 3, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes for the first time in a long time and reassures her that he isn't injured or in the hospital. He shares with her that he hasn't written any letters in a long time due to suffering from "war nerves," needing rest and relief from the front lines and holding onto her lovely picture for hope during challenging times. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Post-traumatic stress disorder Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0e6911484df99db69cc7f70d44073540.pdf fc6b0ee81958727d95aa7b2a6db89434 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ff645648786295ebc55709779c78d722.pdf ff4a32a09c94d241a0a3162a544486ba PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-13] [Page 1] Germany Nove. 13, 1944. “My Dearest Darling,” Rec’d your latest letter of Oct. 31st and was pleased to hear from you. I also got that card you sent from Grand Haven. It sure was sent around and everywhere was a different address it was mailed to. I got paid and have sent you $125 dollars so you can expect it within two or three weeks. I shall send more till you’ve got five hundred dollars. This money is what I save here and Helen gets the rest and puts it in the bank for me. I’m sending you two Belgium notes and a history sheet about our outfit. I plan to send one to Helen, too. Well, “Darling” I’m still in good health as usual and hope you are the same. I still miss you very much and love you more and more as time goes by. I waite [sic] for the day when we shall be together again. I’ll be the happiest man in the world and having a swell girl like you. We have so much to look forward to and I just can’t be patient enough to have a little home of our own. I got a V-mail from Helen also and everything is fine out her way. All she writes about now is about you planning to visit her which she hopes will be real soon. I was glad to hear your mother is improving and of all things you didn’t mention whether the baby was a boy or a girl or even its name. You’re slipping, young lady. Ha! Ha! Well, when I get married, I’d like to have two boys and one girl, of course “Darling” that is for you to decide also. But we still can make our plans, can’t we? I have not as yet rec’d any of your [Page 2] packages “Darling” and I sure hope to get them sometime soon. I sure could go for some of your swell cookies right now, but I’ll have to starve till the cookies arrive. Did you go down to visit Helen? I still would like to know whether or not you got the money I sent to you from the hospital. I hope to get a bushel of mail from you too “Darling” because it’s good for my morale. I don’t want much, do I? Well, “Precious” I will close hoping to hear from you again soon. Yours forever, With Loads of Hugs & Kisses, “Joe” {Signature accent mark} PS. This pen isn’t so hot and I can’t write good with it. When do I write good is better. Ha! Ha! [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. �{Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 NOV 16 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20638 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-13 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-13 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 13, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 13, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 16, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news that he received the card she sent from Grand Haven, Michigan and hopes to receive a "bushel of mail" from her to continue improving his morale. He also discusses his dream for future children and well-wishes for Agnes' mother and new baby sibling. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/109d0f68fcc9f053e95e20ea9b32df84.pdf b7e6cfd4a44547002332cb4ff9307de7 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e3be8c8868c6c41bf362a51e78821b35.pdf 7de89d3690a6472e7f1bf8ea2225b9d7 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-02] [Page 1] Somewhere in Germany Nove. 2, 1944. “My Dearest Darling,” Have been thinking of you again which isn’t unusual and decided to write again. Ain’t I being nice? Well, who wouldn’t be in loving a girl like you. Gee! Honey, I can remember that big hug ever so long ago and wish I could receive some just like that right now. Just think of all the hugs I’ve missed since being away. If you miss mine as much, then we both will have to make it up. That, young lady, is going to be grand. Well, “Darling” I haven’t much to write about, but I sure can tell you how much I love and miss you. Everything tingles inside of me when I think of you and how anxious I am to be with you once again. When I do, I’m going to sweep you right off of your feet and asked you to be Mrs. Olexa. [sic] See, what you’re in for “Sweets”! I’m still anxious to know whether you received the money I’ve sent to you or not. I shall send you some more just as soon as I get paid. I’m sending it to you in case we need it for our wedding plans. If there is anything you think we may need don’t hesitate [Page 2] to get it. Have you a Hope Chest, if not would you like one? Now don’t think that it’s your Christmas present I’m getting you because it isn’t. Ha! Ha! You’ll still have to waite [sic] to find out. Ain’t I a big tease though? I’d be a bigger one if I had you to squeeze. Gee! Sweets, I’d love that and it’s a swell thought. My calendars are just filled with dates and there all for one girl which is you. [sic] I know that I shall enjoy them and will never tire of being with you. Of course, I’m counting on plenty of hugs and kisses special from you. I don’t want much do I, but I’ll return each one of them with interest so it shan’t be one sided. Ha! Ha! That my “Darling” will last in the future years to come, too. As an English man would put it that’s blimey long but I’ll love it and you forever. Well, Sugar, I will come to a close with my love and thoughts bringing you closer to me. Yours forever With Many Hugs “Your Future Husband” Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Sounds grand. {arrow drawn toward “Your Future Husband”} Will be happy when it does happen. [Envelope front] �S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 NOV 6 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20637 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-02 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 2, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 2, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 6, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes as he thinks of all the hugs he has missed while being overseas and how he plans to sweep her off of her feet as soon as he returns home to Michigan. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Weddings--Planning Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9275a672d2de8ad65d9c6acb7d74ef65.pdf 96bdb95c071a9b463cd6ec370541ae9d PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/16299981b134d8dc471101c1db409620.pdf a900d8482fca540f24953f97d55381ef PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-01] [Page 1] Somewhere in Germany [text strikethrough] {Oct.} Nove. 1, 1944. “My Dearest Darling,” Rec’d your letter of October 18th and was so pleased to hear from you again. My thoughts are always of you “Darling” and I get so lonesome for you when I do that, I could reach out and pull you into my arms. I believe when I get back that I’ll just squeeze you to death. Ain’t I terrible. If we could only be together for a while to piece our future, it would be grand. I have nothing much to offer you, but we can work from the bottom up, living an enjoyable life together. Don’t you think so? You bet, I can remember the weekends I used to spend with you and they were wonderful. My only disappointment now is that we are so far apart, but when I return, we shall be happy. I’ve still got my fingers crossed on getting your packages and I’m pretty hungry right now. Those swell cookies you make will do the trick in drowning out this appetite of mine. I shan’t worry none because I know you’ll be a wonderful cook and a very good wife. Gee! I’m a fortunate man. I’m not the best in the world “Darling” and hope to make you very happy. I just can’t [Page 2] wait to start our little home, can you? When I go to that School [sic], I sure will finish it as soon as I can, because I’ve been away from you so long and don’t want to do it again. Gee! Sweets, I could stand some of your hugs right now or at any time. I ain’t got no room for anyone else except you, so I’ll just have to be patient and hope I shan’t bust before I can give all of my love to you. It’s going to be swell to bite your ears and pull your curls once again because I’ve missed you so much. Hope you can stand it because I can. Ha! Ha! I’m very anxious to be able to put the engagement ring on your finger and say “Darling, will you marry me?” I think it’s going to be swell, don’t you? Well, “Precious” I will close and write real soon. Give my regards to your folks for me. Yours Always With Plenty of Hugs “Joe” {Signature accent mark} PS. Would you send me some Air-Mail stamps in one of your letters? If not, all of my letters will go on a banana boat and that won’t do, will it. Ha! Ha! I had to borrow this envelope. [Envelope front] �S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 NOV 6 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20637 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-01 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 1, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 1, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 6, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in Germany and shares his feelings regarding their future together, dreaming of the day he can put a ring on her finger and properly propose to the woman that he loves so dearly. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Wedding rings Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives