482 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/deae37aee963a23ccd5dc3055a2135be.pdf 027df3a244b5551effe7d8f2b5082249 PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ce90e9d0a9324241e4ba71a7a106bfbc.pdf b030088bb11069c79ef9c0fa39e4e810 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-04-22] [Page 1] Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. April 22, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter today and writing since I’m not going to the show. I saw two movies which were fair. One was “The Remarkable Andrew” and the other “The Male Animal.” Saturday nite [sic], I’m going to see Charlie Chaplin in “The Gold Rush.” I saw this picture about 12 years ago and can remember some parts of it. I had two days of K.P. instead of one because they didn’t send anyone to relieve [Page 2] us. I get credit for it though and won’t be on K.P. for two months now. Tomorrow, we have a 20mile hike which isn’t so bad for we are going to hike out 10 miles and then 10 back. We hiked out to the grenade range today and practiced throwing them. It’s about 5 miles from here. We came back in early and ran through an obstacle course. It consists of a rope over water, two logs, a 10-foot fence, hand bar erection, two pipes to crawl through, and a mad dash for the [Page 3] ending point. It isn’t very big but it’s a great exercise. We have a bigger one but we’ll have to work ourselves a little for that one. There is a rumor of us boys going to Georgia for a 20-day maneuver. It will start the 9th of May, but I’m from Missouri so I’ll wait till then. The First Division is the best in the world and we’re going to clean up on the Japs and then lick the Germans. [sic] No kidding, can I catch a cold under an apple tree? Well, now you’ve got me curious, so now I’ll get me a blonde and find out. Ha! Ha! [Page 4] So, my little cutie is stealing stamps and of all things using it to write to another fellow. Boy! Now, I’m disgusted, humiliated and mad. She threw me over like a ton of bricks. It’s just like the women. [sic] Ha! Ha! I thought this eagle or goose that you sent was a paper doll at first, but when I opened it, I was fooled. �It’s just like [text strikethrough] women to look for sympathy when they fall and hurt themselves a little. If they were in the Army, they would learn to take it and laugh, just as I did. When I get hurt, I don’t want sympathy and I always blame [Page 5] it to clumsiness or from being injured more seriously. We have a church for each Regiment and I attend church regularly. My brother hasn’t written as yet and I’m just as stubborn as he. I wrote to him though when my folks sent me a package and thanked them for it. Roy hasn’t taken his furlough but he may this pay, providing he gets picked to go. It’s too far for me to go on a ten-day furlough not unless I change my mind but I’m not taking one as yet. I haven’t seen hide nor hair [Page 6] of Claypool in a coon’s age. He’s still at the baking school. My friend, the lover, is in the hospital with a touch of flu or pneumonia. I’m going to visit him Saturday providing he isn’t too sick. Still haven’t received them pictures and I’ll bet you didn’t take any. Carolyn sent some pictures of herself, Larry, mother and father to Roy in her last letter. Larry had his uniform on and he looks swell in it. I’m sending you some more stamps for I’ve got a lot more left and don’t forget [Page 7] to hide them in a better place. Ha! Ha! Forgot to tell you today is my brother’s birthday. Some fellow came over and said I write a lot. I do and if people I write to aren’t too lazy, I’d get a lot more of mail. [sic] No hear-ee, from me, if they don’t answer, is my motto o o o o o o. [sic] Did you get a letter from Roy? He said that he sent you one and funny for he was in the mood. [sic] I also forgot to tell you that I got a new supply of blue lead or didn’t you notice it. You did, well ain’t that sumptin. [sic] Ha! Ha! [Page 8] When I sat down, I thought this letter wouldn’t be a long one but my brains rattle once in a while, ya know. [sic] How is Florence? I haven’t heard from her yet, have you? Well, I shall close and write when you can. As Ever, �Joe {Signature accent mark} You need 2 more years of practice {with arrows pointing to his signature accent mark}. P.S. Give the folk[s] my best regards and tell Gloria, I’m not on speaking terms with her anymore. Not unless she writes and gives me a good explanation. Ha! Ha! Soo - long - [sic] [Envelope front] P.F.C. Joe Olexa Co. L, 26th Inf. A.P.O. #1 Camp Blanding, Fla. U.S. Army {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING APR 23 3 PM 1942 FLA. FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-04-22 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 1942-04-22 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 22, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 22, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 23, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after two days of K.P. duty and discusses the recent movies he had seen, the training activities planned for the days ahead, and the rumor regarding their trip to Georgia for a 20-day manuever. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) Military maneuvers 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/9a62b586a6c5faff6ae62d12ce9981ba.pdf 9306a7b8232aeeb8e5794838a544697c PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6575b6c1d9a6a55af361c653f7c04bf9.pdf b2a798bff4e9748af9d3bf9c99a9df5e PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-22] [Page 1] England April 22, 1944. Hello “Darling,” It’s a beautiful day out and a good one to go for a stroll. Would you care to go with me? You shall in my thoughts and I always keep saying, I love you so you will be able to hear it. I still miss you “Darling” and just can’t wait till I shall be able to hold you and squeeze you again. I always say, Gee!! you’re a lucky guy Joe, to have a swell girl like Agnes back home waiting for you. When I think of you “Darling” everything seems to tingle inside of me and then I just wish that I could chew your ears or knip [sic] your nose. I like to daydream about us, too, and I’m anxiously [Page 2] waiting to hear from you and your folks. What for, well I shan’t tell? Ha! Ha! Believe it or not “Darling” I got a letter from Ollie. Boy, I nearly fell over from the shock. He’s engaged to Janice and has been since Nove. [November]. That was another surprise, too. Well “Darling” if you should except [accept] my proposal, he’ll be the same way. I’m very excited and contended but it would have been more so if I were there to say, “Darling, would you marry me?” I’ll bet you are as excited as I am about the whole thing, aren’t you? Did you get the flowers I sent to you for Easter? I hope you did? [sic] I got your V-Mail dated the 13th of April but you didn’t mention getting them. I also am depressed and blue when I don’t hear from [Page 3] you and keeping saying, hope I get a letter from Agnes today. I often worry about you being sick and unable to write but when I get your letters, I’m relieved of such a burden and awful thought. My folks are living in the other house and the address is 1693 Clairmont St. Ollie said that he will pay you a visit just as soon as he has a little time off. Hope [text strikethrough] he has already? My folks still keep writing about you and how nice you are. I think so too and maybe more. What do you think? Just wait till I get back young lady and I’ll be able to prove my only thoughts? [sic] Did Elaine get my letter as yet? [Page 4] How’s Gloria, ain’t she ever going to answer that letter of mine? Most of all, I’m very pleased to get your swell letters and kisses, so I’m very contented, whether she writes or not. Well, “Darling” I will close for this time and give my best regards to your folks. Yours Always, With Load of ( )’s & x’s Joe �{Signature accent mark} P.S. Guess, I’ll go to the show and see “Sahara” and Thank Your Lucky Stars. Did you see them? Today is Ollie’s birthday. He’s lucky to spend it at home. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 APR 22 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � 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_1944-04-22 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 1944-04-22 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 22, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 22, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 22, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes as he anxiously awaits Agnes and her parents' response to his proposal, daydreaming about their future together and sharing the news of his brother Ollie's engagement. 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/d78600f329cc3f83bd47a1f2f080558a.pdf b9b6e2a27b5b90b5623bc168a745ab4a PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e2c489d74eb0d4930bda82b1e8b56d16.pdf 98d65d253faad12a93de5ee685e52d5b PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-23] [Page 1] England April 23, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Here it is Sunday again and what a lovely day? Went to church as usual this morning and wished that you could have been here to go with me. Have thought of you quite a lot today, “Sweets” and I’ll just have to spend it with you since you keep wiggling deep down in. Aren’t you ever going to stop just a tiny bit so I can rest. Well, meanie I shall get even. Ha! Ha! Got one of your letters last nite [sic] dated April 2nd although I got more recent ones, it was grand to hear from you again. I sure do wish that I could pull at your curls and not only that but to squeeze you with all my might. It would please me very [Page 2] much right now if I could see your hair and having it the way I like to see you with it. It makes you real pretty and all my thoughts rush through me and then I could hold you ever so tight. Every morning I kiss your tender lips and say “Good morning Darling” and at nite [sic]when I go to bed I look at your picture and say “Pleasant dreams Sweets.” See!! What [text strikethrough] you’ve done to me? But I like it, because it’s from the girl I love and the one I shall marry someday. I anxiously wait for the day when we shall be together because we have so much to plan and do. Our future will be happiness with our love never growing old. Don’t you think so? I shall always be good for you [Page 3] wherever I maybe [sic] and no other girl will ever take your place. I shall keep that picture “Tender Comrade” in mind and see it when it comes around. I forgot to mention in my letter yesterday that I also got some pictures of Ollie and his girlfriend. They are really nice. Sometimes I often wish that I could steal in your room while you were sleeping and just chew on your ear till you woke up. When you do, the first thing I’d do would be to hold you tight and bite your nose. Gee!! That would be swell and more so because you couldn’t move. Ha! Ha! What do you think of that? Awful ain’t I? I saw the picture “Thank Your Lucky Stars” but it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. Roy sure does hide himself for I haven’t seen him [Page 4] in a long while. Hope he is happy and wish him luck. I’m sending you another clipping of “Sad Sack”, do you like them? Well young lady, what have you been doing today? Not sleeping again I hope and thinking about us. Aren’t you ever going to tell me some of your secrets? Have you taken any recent pictures of yourself lately? No matter how many you will send, I’ll always ask for more. I’m almost out of stationary again and will send you a request for more. Well “Darling” I shall close again hoping to hear from you. �Yours Always, With Lots of Love & Kisses Joe {Signature accent mark} {Drawing of hug symbols and the words “Me” and “You” with arrows pointing to the hugs} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army Free {Signature accent mark} {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 APR 26 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � 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_1944-04-23 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 1944-04-23 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 23, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 23, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 26, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a lovely Sunday, wishing they could attend the morning church service together and sharing how he starts and ends every day looking at her picture while saying "Good morning, Darling" and "Pleasant dreams, Sweets." Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Motion pictures--1940-1950 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/55d9809a33b98be219cf3e8610fcee1a.pdf 2132ae3fbd144beeb258bfeac389d79a PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4ec9203bcac9d7b029b73d803c2f781b.pdf 6cc729745b3287cf24577a42d1b5bd17 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-04-27] [Page 1] Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. April 27, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter and was glad to hear from you. So, my young lady states she knows what mood I’m in when I write. If you took that letter serious, you’re wrong, for I was quite gay that day even though I was on K.P. Now I don’t know how to write my letters to you. You take me serious when I’m not and jolly when I’m serious. So, what can I do? Oh! Well, you women wouldn’t understand. As for my brother’s girlfriend [Page 2] I’ve known her a long time, in fact, ever since she was as big as Elaine. Yes, she writes to me once in a while and believe it or not, I haven’t heard from her in a month. Well, I see you don’t believe what I had written about who was writing to me, either? I can’t convince you, so I’ll let it go at that, and be a liar. If you really want to know how much mail I received this week, I’ll tell you. Two letters from you and one today from my brother at college. [Page 3] Last week was the same. Believe it or not. Now I’ll explain of why I’m undecided in taking a furlough and hope you can understand what a position I am in. [sic] A ten-day furlough isn’t much time for a visit and most of it will be traveling. To get to Boston from here, takes 36 hours (1 ½ days) one way. About the same or a little more to Detroit a different way, which I would have to take to get there. If I were to go home and spend a short visit from here to Detroit and back, I wouldn’t go to New York City. Now if I were to buy a ticket to Fitchburg, I’d be quite [Page 4] ways from home then. [sic] In between Detroit and Fitchburg takes about 20 hours and if I were to visit both places, it's still a round trip (40 hours). If I bought a ticket to Detroit then visit you, I’d still have to go back there to catch a train for Camp. It would be the same if I bought a round trip to Fitchburg. I’d still have to buy a round trip ticket to Detroit then come back to start for �camp. In other words, I’ll be traveling 132 hours (6 days) in the round trip and 4 days of visiting, which isn’t much. Now, if I were to visit you and not go home, my folks would be mad and if I were to go home without visiting you, you’d get mad. [Page 5] So, what am I to do? Roughly, the trip would cost me about a hundred dollars to visit both places. Put yourself in my place and figure out some sort of a suggestion. I’ve been figuring it out but the more I think, the worse it gets. I’d like to be home for my mother’s birthday which is the 2nd of May but I can’t. I also like to be home on “Mother’s Day” but I’m not sure to be [sic] picked out of the Platoon to get a furlough. I’ve based my thoughts on getting the trains on time but if I were to wait longer for a train, my furlough wouldn’t be worth the trip and I’ll be saving money. Well that’s my explanation [Page 6] of being a pickled herring. Roy just came in and I told him what you said to tell him. Now for some news which will surprise you a plenty. My Company Commander sent in a report of my “promotion” to a “Corporal” for approval and that will make me a Corporal about Wednesday. Now, ain’t that sumtin. [sic] You're the first one to get this fresh news and nobody else knows about it, except the First Sergeant and the Company Commander. Wait till Roy hears of it! Yesterday, we had a divisional parade review and that sure was a long one. The papers in Mass. and vicinity are stating that [Page 7] the first division is going back to Fort Devens. How true this is, I don’t know. I doubt it though, but the Army does funny things. I met a friend of mine today who used to go to school with me. He’s a Sergeant and in the same Regiment. I sure was surprised and this is a small world. I have a tan which is fair and hope to get darker as time goes along. I’ve gone off of the Camp grounds to town once since we came down here and my time isn’t much. I usually go to the second show when I go and it starts at 9 o’clock and then getting out at 11 o’clock, missing [Page 8] a little sleep now and then but I enjoy it. �Well, Sugar, I shall close till I hear from you again. As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Give the folks my regards and don’t get that quick temper of yours up at things you read. Think twice, one of your version, the other at a different slant. [Envelope front] P.F.C. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Inf. Camp Blanding, Fla. U.S. Army {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING APR 27 5 PM 1942 FLA. FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-04-27 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 1942-04-27 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 27, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 27, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 27, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes discussing the letters he received that week and the reasons why he is undecided in taking a furlough at that time. He also writes of his recent promotion to "Corporal" by his Company Commander and the news of the First Division's return to Fort Devens. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) Furloughs Fort Devens (Mass.) 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/5dd850c341abc9e50fd88027697a9766.pdf e563349f3c3d1e3250ac9b309b7e5d4a PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/555fabe2ca0f08b4ed64cb977e37618b.pdf cc70dfeceed869eb141e7d98775a4df8 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-27] [Page 1] England April 27, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Haven’t heard from you in a week except for a V-mail you sent and hope my letters are reaching you, better than when mine get to me. Anyway “Sweets,” I patiently waite [sic] for them and enjoy them more. I got a V-mail from Helen today stating that she got a letter from you. Everything is fine with them. Thought of you oodles and oodles since I wrote to you Sunday and love you more than ever. The countryside is really beautiful with all of the flowers and blossoms so I can’t help but think of you all of the time “Darling.” Wish you were here to enjoy all of [Page 2] what I see? [sic] I don’t think you’d see much because I’d hold you so tight, that you’d be worried of whether I’d ever let up or not. Ha! Ha! I could chew at your ears right now just to be a big tease. Ain’t I awful? Well “Darling,” did you get that letter of April 14th? What is your opinion of it? If you are as excited as I am that is something, Eh!? Ha! Ha! Wish I could get your answer to that letter real quick, just for our sake, don’t you? I shan’t rest till I do and at that I’m trying to rush that letter much faster than it will get here. Ha! Ha! Terrible isn’t it? You’re to blame though “Sweets” and a real meanie because I shan’t get even till I get back. Then young lady [Page 3] you’ll never get any rest. If you don’t believe it, just waite [sic] and see. Ha! Ha! Wish I could see you in that new dress you mentioned and it’s a big disappointment being so far away. I haven’t had any civilian clothes on in so long that it may scare me someday when I do get to wear them. Ha! Ha! Still haven’t seen Roy, so, I don’t know much about him at present. I did intend to go to the movies tonite [sic] but felt quite tired so I decided not to go. Monday nite [sic], I went and saw “Dangerous Blondes” & “Headline News”. They weren’t so hot either. How is Venna and your folks? Don’t forget to give them my regards, will you. [Page 4] Well, I managed to make the fourth page which is very unusual for me. Ha! Ha! Sometimes it is very hard to write, when one doesn’t get a letter isn’t it so? Will close for this time Sugar with all my love to a swell girl like you. Write real soon won’t you? Yours forever, With Loads of ( )’s & x’s Joe {Signature accent mark} �PS. Do you think you can find another fountain pen for me? If you can’t, don’t feel bad about it will you? [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} PASSED BY BASE 1081 US ARMY EXAMINER Free {Signature accent mark} {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 APR 28 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � 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_1944-04-27 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 1944-04-27 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 27, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 27, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 28, 1944. In the letter, Joe describes how he thinks of Agnes constantly with the springtime beauty of the English countryside and eagerly awaits her response to his engagement proposal. Joe also writes of the recent movies he had seen including "Dangerous Blondes" and "Headline News." Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Motion pictures--1940-1950 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/635bd95b271f9b89b3c61c6ed3039c5f.pdf 1b523a69c730e4f506b737ae9f89a5cc PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d7dd9c1dbe5e18785fe0246b3485eea8.pdf 09569349db3f5d971ff125e8938e21e1 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-29] [Page 1] England April 29, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Just came back from seeing two good pictures and on my way back I kept hoping to get a letter from you. Well, “Sweets” I did. I got two dated April 12th and 17th. It sure was swell hearing from you again “Darling” for I’ve been thinking of you all day. Gee!! Sometimes I’m so lonesome for you that I don’t know what to do? The two pictures I saw were “North Star” and “Lost Angel”. The first one was a sad picture and the other one was about a little girl. Did you see them? Well, “Darling,” I love you as much as ever and it gets so lonesome at [Page 2] times when I think that I can’t be with you. I’m still longing for the day when I shall be with you again and keep hoping & praying that it will be soon. I’m just in the mood tonite [sic] to tease you and how I wish I could chew your ears a little and fuss with your curls. It would suit me just fine but I wouldn’t be too selfish and let you squeeze me as hard as you say you will. I don’t I know what I’d do if you got sick and couldn’t write. I’d probably worry myself to death, I think. That picture I sent of the girl reminded me so much of you “Darling” that I just had to send it. You needn’t worry about her legs “Sweets” for yours are just good and better to me. [Page 3] There’s only one girl I love and that is you, “Darling.” No other will ever come up to your standards with me. Anyway, I haven’t time for anyone else, but you. I’m still waiting for that letter of yours giving me the answer, to what I asked. I hated to write and ask you but I thought it may be the best thing. I’ve re-read your letters three times already and it will be more till I hear from you again. I’ve enjoyed your kisses immensely, too, and when I bring them to my lips everything starts to tingle inside. I was sorry to hear that your dad has injured a finger and hope it is better. Don’t forget to give your folks my best regards and a hello. It will be swell if you can send me [Page 4] another picture of yourself sweets and here’s hoping you do. After all young lady, you’re the best pin-up girl, that I have and want. [sic] Flattering ain’t I? Well it’s true, believe it or not. I think of you and I always “Sweets” and someday we shall piece them all together and live in happiness. Shall close for this time “Sweets,” with all my love to the best girl in the world. Would it be asking too much I were to ask for a big hug? Well what are you waiting for? Ha! Ha! Yours forever, With Loads of ( )’s & x’s �Joe {Signature accent mark} PS. Sending Sad Sack again. Do you enjoy them? � 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_1944-04-29 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 1944-04-29 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 29, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 29, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes of his excitement in receiving two letters from Agnes, re-reading them over and over again as he awaits her response to his proposal. Joe also writes of the recent movies he had seen including "North Star" and "Lost Angel." Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Motion pictures--1940-1950 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/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/bc9e6dd6bce9c4aa3e4552b8371e858c.pdf 604be029023401377f9bc745a115f43d PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/74542ecb0706072cc285a40fe71c8f3a.pdf 6fd3783a1bd91db46b8e80ad4f6da929 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-03] [Page 1] England April 3, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Got your lovely letter dated Mar. 21st and was very pleased to hear from you again. Have been thinking of you all day today and love you more each minute that slips by. I still miss you terribly and still waite [sic] for the day we shall be together again. I wrote you a nice long letter yesterday. Did you get it? I guess some of my letters to you got lost for you haven’t mentioned anything of the clippings I sent in your letters. Your letters are really swell and they make things tingle like little bells inside of me. I like your kisses too and bring them to my lips [Page 2] before I read your letters. When one of your letters don’t have an imprint in them I get very disappointed. I miss them too. When I bring them to my lips, I feel the warmth of your kisses and love for me. I also imagined that you are here and bite your ears or knip [sic] your nose. I kiss your picture each morning and at nite [sic] before going to bed. It makes me love you more and feel my nearness to you. You needn’t worry “Darling,” I’ll love you always and shall overlook our quarrels if we have any and live happy together. I’m very pleased to hear you are doing some cooking and its very encouraging to hear that you are doing your best. You bet it’s going [Page 3] to be swell when we can be alone and make our thoughts aloud. It’s going to be grand to plan so much together and live in happiness. I still say there isn’t a better girl in England than you and there never will be. All of my love and kisses are for you “Darling” and each day I’m away they keep adding up. No other girl will take them from you either because it’s grand to have a swell girl like you to love. Sending you one of my paper dolls, don’t you think it’s cute? The other is of me trying to write when I don’t hear from you. Ha! Ha! It sure is a relief to get a letter from you when I haven’t rec’d any in a long time. I always keep hoping that you aren’t ill and patiently waite [sic] for your letters. [Page 4] I also got a V-mail from Helen and she says that she hasn’t heard from you in a long while. Did you see the picture “Robin Hood.” It’s a swell picture. I saw it yesterday just after the little stroll I took. I took you with me too “Darling” in thoughts and we had a grand time together. Easter is this coming Sunday and how I wish that I could spend it with you. I’d also like to see your spring suit. Will close for this time “Darling” and remember that I shall love you always. Write real soon. Yours forever, �With Loads of ( )’s and x’s 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. U. S. Army Free {Signature accent mark} {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 APR 7 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � 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_1944-04-03 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 1944-04-03 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 3, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 3, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 7, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after being pleased to receive her latest letter and writing her a long letter the day before. He continues to describe his appreciation for her lipstick imprints and his happiness as they make plans for the future. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Motion pictures--1940-1950 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/030dc5528760601e7278f1df9b8fffbe.pdf d6d3048fbf65d5316e7614f0ad458e7b PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/dd1409a56f07db9d9a844f5efc03aa23.pdf 2ed970e283258122dcae346bafebc135 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-30] [Page 1] England April 30, 1944. Hello “Sugar,” Just got though writing a letter to my mother. Her birthday is May 2nd and I sure didn’t want her to think I had forgotten her. She’s swell and all of the cards in the world wouldn’t express her, as much as I think of her. I told her that I intended to be engaged “Darling.” Is that alright with you, even if I haven’t heard from you? I’m not taking it for granted “Darling” even though you may want to waite [sic] but it’s a good subject to write about, especially when it concerns a swell girl like you. Well, “Sugar” did you have a nice day today? What were you thinking of? About us? I sure did and my love for you grows every minute, with tiny bells [Page 2] tingling everywhere inside of me. I miss you, so much “Sweets,” that I keep hoping and longing for the day when we shall see each other again. The longer I stay away, will only make me think of you more with thoughts of our happiness when we can be together for good. I wrote you a four page letter yesterday too. Don’t you think I’m getting very ambitious all of a sudden? Ha! Ha! Gee!! From day to day, I anxiously await for your letters to arrive. They mean so much to me “Darling” and someday I’ll be able to show you how much I have enjoyed them and you. Believe me young lady, I shall retire from writing and put all of my thoughts to good use making you as happy as I want you to be. Went to [Page 3] church today as usual and what a lovely day it was? I couldn’t help but wish that you were here to tell you, that I’m very much in love with a grand girl such as you. I’m very happy and contented about it too because you keep going deeper and deeper way down in. You mean all of my future happiness “Darling” even though I’m not perfect and hope that we can adjust our likes and dislikes and enjoy a good future, of living and make our dreams come true. I also went to the show this afternoon and saw the picture “They Met in Bombay” with “Clark Gable” and “Rosiland Russell.” It was pretty good. Did you see it? I saw another one [Page 4] but don’t remember the name of it. George Murphy and Joan Blondell played in it. By the way “Sweets” will I be able to button up that new dress you have? If I don’t I’ll be a meanie and unbutton it if you wear it when I get there. Ha! Ha! If it makes you look beautiful “Sweets” it will suit me to a T. Well young lady, I shall close for this time with all of the hugs and kisses, I could give you for being away so long. Write soon “Precious” and make the mailman cuss at the weight of your mail. Ha! Ha! �“Yours forever,” With Loads of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} {Drawing of multiple “hug” and “kiss” symbols with the words “Cheap, ain’t I.”} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army Free {Signature accent mark} {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 MAY 2 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � 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_1944-04-30 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 1944-04-30 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 30, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 30, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 2, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after writing to his mother, whose birthday is a few days away, and shares the news of his engagement proposal to Agnes. Joe also writes of the recent movie he had seen called "They Met in Bombay" starring Clark Gable and Rosiland Russell. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Motion pictures--1940-1950 Gable, Clark, 1901-1960 Russell, Rosalind 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/2a32331fde24e860e02ff17fd2858499.pdf 71ac9513fa0917513f1ccdb00bcc8b7d PDF Text Text ���������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1f58dda69944c24009c1a8ec544f6f53.pdf 4f6aa7ba04ba1106bce3d270b10b2a8e PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-04-05] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} AMERICA FOREVER Co. “L,” 26th Inf. Camp Blanding, Fla. April 5, 1942 Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter today and was glad to hear from you. I’m fine as usual and hope you are the same. You are probably surprised to see that I’m writing in ink. So, am I and its about time. Ain’t it? [sic] We are having the usual hard training and I’ve lost about 10 pounds. I’m as hard as a concrete road nowdays. [sic] I’ll bet if I were to fall down on it, that it would crack. [Page 2] About that furlough, they are giving some out but as I have written before, I won’t be able to take one. Reason: “I’m financially embarrassed.” Ha! Ha! As for receiving a lot of mail, I’ve come to the conclusion that if I should receive many letters, I may break my glass arm writing. Ha! Ha! Anyway, I haven’t much time writing during the week. [sic] So, I finally succeeded in haunting Gloria in her sleep. Well, it was about time for them letters have almost gotten me to a point of being [Page 3] touched in the head. [sic] Ha! ha! All women like tall, dark and handsome men, so I’m proud [to] be short, fat and homely. That proves all women think the same. Ha! Ha! Confidentially, my brother is tall, dark and handsome. Even blue eyes. I should be jealous but I’m not, and want to remain the same as I’ve always been. Am I making you jealous? My, I must be a real meany, ain’t that the card? As for you wringing my neck, you’d have to travel a long [Page 4] �ways to do it. Seems though I’ve read that same sentence in a letter sent to me by you, the 11th of September. I’ve still got my neck in one piece so I’ll pat myself on the back, just for a good measure. The weather here is very hot and I believe I shall take my swimming trunks out of the moth balls and go in for a dip next Sunday. We go swimming every day, though, in the mud and it reminds me of Cowboys and Indians. I used to play that game a running [sic] all of the time and it seems like the Army should grow out of it someday. Ha! Ha! [Page 5] Monday is Army day and our Regiment is going to parade in Jacksonville. “Boy!” I’ll surely [text strikethrough] throw out my chest then. And to think of having a lot of pretty southern belles watching us. Say, just between you and I, confidentially, “what do you think of the rise of price of rice in China?” Ha! Ha! I think the same thing too. I didn’t get out to buy some Easter cards, so I’ll wish all of you a very happy Easter now before I forget. I haven’t written or heard from [Page 6] my brother as yet and that proves I can be as stubborn as he when it comes to a showdown. It runs in the family. Ha! Ha! This free mail service is the ticket for us boys, but when no one cares to write, we’ll just ride along. Got a letter from Florence today and she states that she’s fine and asking how I ain’t and use-to was. [sic] I was almost in the belief that she wasn’t going to write but I was fooled. Did you make your first million yet working? Well, if you didn’t, try again. Ha! Ha! [Page 7] I got a carton of cigarettes from my sister in Buffalo and a card which was swell. I also got a swell card from my brother at college and I didn’t even send a single one. I went to the movies last nite [sic] and saw “Ride ‘Em Cowboy” with Abbott & Costello. I really enjoyed the picture. As yet, we don’t know when we will move from here and I hope it is soon for I’m sick of running around, shooting at nobody. I went to town the other day and the outside world gave me a bad scare, so I ran back to camp and made it in a minute flat. �[Page 8] Roy is a cook nowadays and I’m wondering how us boys will make out with his cooking. I can remember the time when you and he made a cake. I ain’t a saying nuttin [sic], but, boy, how I can, tink. [?] [sic] Ha! Ha! News and thoughts are getting scarce so, I shall close. As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} Like this {arrow pointing to his signature accent mark} P.S. Give the folks my best regards. Say, how is Beasie? Did she get over the fright? I don’t think I’ll ever live that day down. Har! Har! [?] [Envelope front] P.F.C. Joe Olexa U.S. Army {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING APR 6 3 PM 1942 FLA. FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. [Envelope back] P.F.C. Joe Olexa Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida � 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_1942-04-05 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 1942-04-05 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 5, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 5, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 6, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while he continues to undergo hard training at Camp Blanding and has lost ten pounds to show for it. He also writes about their escaping the southern heat by swimming in their downtime, the upcoming parade in Jacksonville, Florida for "Army Day," and the recent film he had seen. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) Jacksonville (Fla.) Motion pictures--1940-1950 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/b1c8969137445203a9e12539fc91a25f.pdf 004b4ea1682bcae17e3e89664eb0c040 PDF Text Text �������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fef7d322826c86a60fde81663d8901bd.pdf b29dd3f288d41d157f16797acb16af67 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-06] [Page 1] England April 6, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Got two more of your letters dated Mar. 14th & 16th and was very pleased with them. I still miss you and love you as much as ever and still waiting for the day when we shall be together. You bet, I’m pleased that my folks like you although if they didn’t I’d love you always. But it’s a lot better when they do. Don’t you think so? Gee!! How I wish that I were with you and hold you in my arms again. It would please me very much, to bite your ears and squeeze you, like I used to? [sic] It’s been so long and I shall not let you go. See!! What you are in for, “Darling”? I’m glad to hear you liked the clippings I [Page 2] sent “Sweets” and hope you enjoy them as much as I do? I also hope to have two of the same things you wrote about because I’m very fond of them. Anyway, I’m depending on it, especially when we shall have so much to talk over when I return. I’d like to hurry the days but can’t so we’ll have to waite [sic] won’t we? I’m always thinking of you and I which is grand, don’t you think? It takes two to make a bargain, so let us make a date and plan this together. Oh! So you don’t make dates? Well if I were there to wiggle inside of you as much as you do in me, I wouldn’t persuade very long? Ha! Ha! So, I have my young lady peeved by calling her a meanie and I’m very very pleased. Wish I could tease [Page 3] you more and see you while you are that way. I’d be tickled. Ha! Ha! I don’t care if the whole world knows, I love you, for I do and it makes no difference to me as long as I have a swell girl, like you to love. When I close my eyes and think of you, you suddenly appear before me and I often wish I that I could reach out and bring you close to me. I’d knip [sic] your nose too if I did and just waite [sic] till I get back young lady. I shan’t be able to write it then but do it? What do you think of that? I plan to go to Holland, Mich. someday to see the place and all of the tulips they have there. Of course, I wouldn’t go alone because I’m going to take my girlfriend with me, so she can enjoy all of what I see. [Page 4] Is it a date? Now don’t forget it and leave that day open for me. I said just me and no 4 F’s. Ha! Ha! The kisses you send makes my blood pressure go up and when I bring them to my lips, I feel their freshness and all of your inspiring love for me. We shall be happy together some day, enjoy life and forget the darkened days of the past. I shan’t ever get bored to hear of your love for me so don’t ever think any other way about it young lady. We had a U.S.O. show here not so long ago and one of the singers sang, ‘You’ll Never Know.” While she was singing it, my mind raced �back to you across the sea, hoping that you heard it when I did. She also sang “Put Your Arms Around Me Honey.” Have you [Page 5] heard this song? I think it’s swell. I got along letter from home and one from Helen. It was good to hear from them again. Francis didn’t send me the new address, so I don’t know where to write. They are all fine. I still wish that I were there with you when you visit my folks. Someday I shall be? Did Ollie and Francis visit you as yet? I hope that they will get time off to do so. I’ve looked around for your Aunt’s address intending to write to them but haven’t found it as yet among some of my junk. I also got a few Easter cards which were very nice. I’m patiently waiting for yours and hope to get it soon. I haven’t seen Roy since I wrote about him last. He was [Page 6] supposed to come up and see me. Guess he is busy. I have not gotten his wedding picture as yet but will send it to you as soon as I get it. Well, “Darling” what have you been doing today? Have you been thinking of us? I do always. Don’t forget to write and tell me all about it? Will you? How is your mother and dad? Give them my regards and tell them I think of them often? Yes, I got Elaine’s letter and have read it several times. I suppose by now that she got mine. So, Carolyn got fired! I guess she’ll never get along with anyone. She’s got to “smarten up” if she intends to do so. I had figured that she was trying to discourage you about me and I’m glad to hear you didn’t listen to her. [Page 7] I suppose you and I got all of the blame for what happened but if I ever get any letters from them like you got, I’d have it printed in the paper along with my opinion. I did expect one and I’ll carry out what I have written to put them in their place. Well I have run out of brains except to say I love you, which loads of hugs and kisses form me to you. Yours Always, With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Write real soon and don’t forget to take some more pictures? [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. �U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 APR 13 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � 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_1944-04-06 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 1944-04-06 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 6, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 6, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 13, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes with excitement after Agnes' letters from March had finally arrived and imagines going on a date to visit the tulips in Holland, Michigan with her one day. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Holland (Mich.) Music--1940-1950 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/80e6c8af1f11f61e384e7e9993c75bf1.pdf c8d8b8713464f20de3c26528013a884b PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/343ea80ef12724ee69b21ab41a533d91.pdf 5da51ed3491fbb2224e1a63a46cf57ca PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-09] [Page 1] England April 9, 1944. “Hello Darling,” Today is Easter Sunday and what a swell day it is. I went to church this morning and wished that you could have been here to go with me. I heard a good sermon and also took communion. It’s going to be grand when you and I can go to church again together, won’t it “sweets?” My thoughts are of you always, wondering of what you are doing and thinking. I love you, as much as ever, “Darling” and if I didn’t, I couldn’t write it. Yesterday, I went to the movies and saw a double feature. One [Page 2] was ‘Hostages’ with “Louise Rainer” and the other “Steel Against the Sky” with Lloyd Nolan and Alexis Smith. They were pretty good. Did you see them? Yesterday, I got a long and interesting letter from Ollies girlfriend. She’s very nice by the way she writes. I was kinda hoping that I’d get a letter from you but didn’t. I miss you very much “Darling” and no other girl shall ever take your place. I want you to believe me even though at times, you may be discouraged and depressed. When I get that way, I repeat that I take out your pictures and think of you and I being happy when we shall be together again. It makes no difference of how long it will be before I will return for you [Page 3] are always with me wherever I go. I wish I could whisper in your ear how much I love you, instead of writing it. Someday I will and we shall forget about the days we haven’t spent together. I also miss your kisses, biting your ears and pulling your curls, not to be mean or tease but for my longing to [be] with you to feel your touch and many other things, too numerous to mention. Sometimes, it seems that I want to rush the days so that I can return and be with you but it shall be worth while to wait, for that day to come, for I’m still fortunate to have a swell girl, like you back home. Did Elaine get my letter I wrote to her? How is the rest of the [Page 4] family? Don’t forget to give them my regards and for you “Darling,” all of my love. Will close for this time and write real soon, and as often as you can. May God’s blessing be upon you and keep you, safe, for me. Yours forever, With Loads of Hugs & Kisses Joe {Signature accent mark} �PS. My writing is getting worse, guess I’ll have to go to school again! 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. U. S. Army Free {Signature accent mark} {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 APR 12 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � 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_1944-04-09 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 1944-04-09 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 9, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 9, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 12, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on Easter Sunday after attending the church service that morning and looks forward to the day when they can go to church together once again. He also writes of the recent double feature films he saw in town and how Agnes is always with him in spirit. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Easter Church services Motion pictures--1940-1950 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/60a833161006c6e4f60c4fb94cbb7d87.pdf c54ab4e4e81a126326c7a2a773ad9870 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8a4971aacc08925d0cf2c3b4735f263a.pdf 9366eeccd751cd1c8c772d8477d038f1 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-08-10] [Page 1] Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. August 10, 1942 Hello “Honey,” I am now in England. We had an enjoyable voyage also. I’m fine as usual and hope that you are the same. Don’t worry about me for I shan’t like it a bit? [sic] Give your folks and the rest my regards? Your letters will be censored, so don’t forget to write “only” on one side for some of the things you may write will be cut out. The only change in my address is the A.P.O. which is “One” instead of the other number. {“Cpl. JOSEPH OLEXA” written at bottom of page} [Page 2] Are you still working? Still taking it easy at work, I’ll bet? Ha! Ha! Roy is about the same and there isn’t much of a change with him. Well, “honey” I shall close and in the meantime will be thinking of you. Always Yours, With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} {“Cpl. JOSEPH OLEXA” written at bottom of page} [Envelope front] Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. �{Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE AUG 11 1942 A.P.O. Free {Signature accent mark} U.S. Army Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Massachusetts PASSED BY US 11160 ARMY EXAMINER [?] U.S.A. � 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_1942-08-10 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 1942-08-10 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 10, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 10, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated August 11, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon arriving in England, sharing the news of his enjoyable voyage, the censorship of their letters moving forward, and the slight change of address with all of the mail continuing to be routed through New York City. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Great Britain 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/2d6240dc9b10f87d0d54f5ea732e5457.pdf 11172fc467565b5092a2bd4a415c90d5 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/baa3603eb9e3ba32a726c965ce3b43f1.pdf a86538ccbf487bc3edc163e47b96f011 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-08-10] [Page 1 - front] Sicily August 10, 1943 Dear Agnes, Writing a few lines again to-day [sic] since I have the time and was thinking of you. I still can’t get over the surprise of my brother Johnny getting married. This is the second day back with the Company and I must say that there are a lot of new faces. Its plenty hot here and if a man can’t get a good sun-tan within a week over here, he just plain lazy. I got a card from my brother Ollie and that also was [Page 1 - back] a great surprise. I wonder if he was inducted? I’ve written a few V-mails today answering other letters I got. I hope that when you move to Grand Rapids that you will be able to find a good job like the one you have now. What do you intend to do with your first earned million? Ha! Ha! Has [sic] your folks left or are they busy packing? Anyway I can sure visit you when going home and its not over 5 hours out of Detroit by train. We don’t have to worry about [Page 2 - front] where we will be stationed when we get to the States for that’s a long way off. How ever I’ll surely get to the place, where you are at. [sic] I have not seen Roy as yet and many not for a long time. I don’t know where he is, at the moment. I suppose Carolyn just can’t wait till Roy gets back so that they can get married. It’s a great life if you don’t weaken, from what I hear. I wonder if she can cook? Or is Roy going to do the cooking. Ha! Ha! I’ve always said that a good cook makes the best wife for a man who [Page 2 - back] really likes to eat when working. I’m a man who likes to eat and have some meat on my ribs. Well, so much for that. How is Gloria making out, since her boy friend went into the service? Tell her to cheer up for better days are coming. Ha! Ha! Well “Sweets,” I shall close for this time and shall be thinking of you. Yours always With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Don’t work too hard at your new job. [Envelope front] �AMERICAN RED CROSS Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL [“SERVICE” missing due to top right corner of envelope being torn] 1 AUG 15 1943 A.P.O. [?] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. PASSED BY 11147 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/. 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 1943-08-10 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 10, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 10, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 15, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from Sicily and shares his surprise regarding his brother Johnny getting married and his appreciation for her upcoming move to Grand Rapids, Michigan with its proximity to his family living in Detroit. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Sicily (Italy) Grand Rapids (Mich.) 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/97a9c3bd12cd36eb9888d1644c2ade6d.pdf d278189018653ac5391bebb16d2a7f63 PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c28d2c2e68008b850e84b4134710acc7.pdf 0ca2a4c4b294576464ceff1030871d83 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-08-11] [Page 1] England August 11, 1944. Dearest “Darling,” Rec’d your two latest letters last nite [sic] and one of them only took nine days to reach me. I was very pleased and happy to hear from you again “Sweets” for I miss your letters very much when I don’t hear from you regular. I haven’t forgotten you “Darling” and will write to you as often as I can. My thoughts are always of you Precious so I shan’t ever forget. I wish I could be with you right now for I could stand some of your kisses and hugs. That would suit me just fine [Page 2] so why not come over? Ha! Ha! I could be a big tease and hope when I get back that you will be able to stand some of it. Do you think you can? I wrote you a V-mail while at the other hospital and forgot to put all of the address on it so it came back to me. I sure was thinking of you that day and must have been awful absent-minded. I am sending it along with this letter. That mistake is the only one I can remember of making while writing to you. Yes, “Darling” I have thought also of who we would want to stand up for [Page 3] us when we are married. I do want my best buddy for my best man and I hope he is back to attend the wedding. He’s a swell fellow. As for the maid of honor that will be entirely up to you. I think you should pick her and I will be satisfied on whoever it is going to be. If my buddy isn’t around, I may have “Amen” [?] as best man. Would that suit you? Gosh!! Sweets, I sure do miss you and still waite [sic] for that big day of having you in my arms once again. I’m well satisfied with the kisses you send but long to have your tender lips pressed to mine. I wouldn’t mind if I [Page 4] were to have lipstick all over me either, so why not give me some right now. Ain’t I an awful meanie to not return them? I am wondering whether you have sent me the pictures you mentioned in your other letters? Well, if you have, I have not rec’d them. I would like to have a picture of you in slacks, “Darling.” Or don’t you have them? In case you do, don’t forget to a picture with them and send it to me. [sic] However, I’m very pleased to get the pictures you send and will always ask for more. So your having trouble about your pup? Do you intend to get rid of it? [Page 5] I’ve always liked dogs and we sure will have one when we are married so you need not worry about that. Someday, I’m going to get that break you mentioned from the Army and go home but �when it shall be, I wouldn’t know but if you keep on hoping and praying for me “Sweets” it won’t be long. I’ve often thought of the last time I saw you, too “Darling” so we’re both in the same boat but far apart. I’m glad to hear you are still working and don’t forget about the first million I wrote about months back? Ha! Ha! I got a lovely card from Helen yesterday. It was a Get Well [Page 6] card and I wish you could see it. She’s the only one in the family that writes to me regularly. I’m still waiting and hoping for your packages to arrive and if they don’t reach me I shall be very disappointed not getting some more of your swell cookies. Remember the time you and Roy made that banana cake? I shall never forget that either. I just sit back and grin when I think of it. What did you think of that Donkey game you played with Helen when you visited my folks? You didn’t mention it in your letters? I can imagine what the outcome of it was. Ha! Ha! So, Gloria is still breaking a lot of fellows’ hearts. Wonder how many soldiers and sailors she’ll have before she finds the right one. How is your mother and Dad? Don’t forget to give them a hello for me and that I asked about them? Well Darling I shall close with all my love to you. Write real soon, won’t you? Yours forever With Lots of Hugs & Kisses, Joe {Signature accent mark} PS. Enclosing a request and don’t forget the cookies. [Page 7 - Request] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa Co. K, Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant APO 514-A c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. August 11, 1944 Postmaster: I request my girlfriend to send me a package not to exceed (5) pounds of the following articles. Cookies, bottle of hair oil, double edge razor blades, tooth brush, tooth powder, shaving brush and candy. Yours truly, S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa �[Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “K,” Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. 514-A c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 514 AUG 14 1944 A.P.O. U.S. POSTAGE 6¢ VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 10087 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_1944-08-11 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 1944-08-11 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 11, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 11, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 14, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sending along his latest hospital address and a request to the Postmaster allowing Anges to send him a package of personal care items. He also continues their discussion on wedding plans and the selection of their Best Man and Maid of Honor. As a side note, Joe accidentally dates this letter as "1942" instead of "1944," which he later mentions in his letter, dated August 28, 1944, and suggests thoughts of Agnes were the cause of his absent-mindedness. 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/2fdabb8641f12ba01ae4665e5c78a7a2.pdf ee74042f1663d51af849cae7a1c2a235 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5b36ecd7e1316ba197bba25328694fd4.pdf 57c8e45c3989321011c7c4afee822621 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-08-12] [Page 1 - front] Sicily August 12, 1943 Hello “Sweets,” Thought to drop you another letter, letting you know that I’m still safe and well. I still miss you and think of you in my spare moments. How are you making out with your new job. Do you still like it? I guess by the time you get this letter your folks will be in Grand Rapids. I’m still surprised of hearing about my brother getting married. I got a letter the other day from my oldest brother saying that one of my older sisters [Page 1 - back] and the youngest one are in the hospital and have had an operation. Boy! What unexpected events which seem to happen. How is everyone over there? How is Eileen and her folks? When and if you see them, don’t forget to give them my regards? Today is my fourth day back with the Company. We are now having a rest. Sicily has plenty of wine, citrus fruits, watermelons, and plenty of sunshine. It really gets hot here and it is very mountainous. I just received a package my mother sent me with [Page 2 - front] a pocket book [sic] and some hard candy. Well, at present it hits the spot. I had asked for a pocket book for I sure did need it. I can put a lot of pictures in it also. The regimental band just drove in and now we’ll have a little jazz music to brighten us up a bit. What are the most popular songs and bands back now days? The last one I got a chance to hear was “When the Lights gone on again All over the World.” [sic] From what I hear my brother Ollie has been inducted into the Army. Well, I only [Page 2 - back] can wish him luck and hope he stays out of what I had gone through. Haven’t anything else to write, so I shall close “Sweets.” Write real soon. Yours always With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] AMERICAN RED CROSS Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) �Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL [“SERVICE” missing due to top right corner of envelope being torn] AUG 18 1943 A.P.O. 1 Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. PASSED BY 11147 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/. 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 1943-08-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 12, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 12, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 18, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from Sicily and describes his impression while residing there including the warm weather, mountainous landscapes, and an abundanace of sunshine. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Sicily (Italy) Music--1940-1950 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/f08804870b3323268b87c8faca88f74c.pdf 3d4d55e397130b72dfc3d7ca1185a2ee PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b187b5fd8045b2ed538c0db18cafa844.pdf e08238ee6d6c9516d7f0bcf5128572b7 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-08-14] [Page 1] England August 14, 1944. Hello Precious, Writing today before to many days pass for you may think I have forgotten you. [sic] Well, “Darling” my thoughts are always of you so I shan’t forget and you keep going deeper and deeper in my heart. Some day you’re liable to wiggle to much [sic] and make it stop beating. Ha! Ha! What do you think of that? I still miss you very much “Darling” and wish I could be with you again. I’d hold you so tight in my arms [Page 2] that you’d think it was a vice. Maybe you ought to get an armour suit for protection before I get back. Ha! Ha! Or do you think you can stand my squeeze? I could stand yours right now and all of the kisses you may want to give me that I miss so much. I have had no mail from you in the last few days but expect them to get here soon. I haven’t heard from Helen or Johnny in a long while either. I’m still day dreaming of our future “Darling” and just can’t waite [sic] to get back to you so we can piece our plans together. [Page 3] Isn’t that going to be swell? I’m going to send you some money in a few days to keep for me. That’s so I won’t have to write to Helen for it when I get back and spending my furlough with a swell girl like you. Well, Sugar, what have you been doing today since it was your day off. Sleeping, as usual, I guess? Ha! Ha! I’m still coming along fine and feeling as good as ever “Sweets” so you need not worry about me trying to hide something from you. I was just thinking that I haven’t spent many summer days with you [Page 4] and how I wished that I were there with you now so we could go swimming or taking a walk somewhere in the country for some fresh air. I’d love that wouldn’t you? I’m enclosing another clipping of “Sad Sack” and I sure will want to see that scrapbook of yours when I get back. If I didn’t ask for a nail-file in that request I sent you don’t forget to get one for me. Will close, with all my love to you. Yours forever, With Loads of Hugs & Kisses, Joe {Signature accent mark} �[Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “K,” Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. 514-A c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 514 AUG 25 1944 A.P.O. VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 10087 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_1944-08-14 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 1944-08-14 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 14, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 14, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 25, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after a few days have passed, daydreaming about spending their summer days together while going swimming and taking walks in the countryside. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters 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/9c82b875c36860c432b44cf93fd8b08c.pdf 7ba7443ed44d9d01219361ae6206a456 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e3f4bec5849cc7ebab3e3935e1d5ed1b.pdf 8aefabff14a3eb73093230c40e32b918 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-08-15] [Page 1 - front] Sicily August 15, 1943 Hello Sweets, Today is Sunday and nothing much to do, so I’m back again by writing. I’m still safe and well hope you are the same. [sic] How are your folks? Have they moved to Grand Rapids as yet? I still miss you as much as ever “Honey,” and hope some day soon that we can be together again. I guess the kids are all excited about moving too. Well, they will have to make new friends. I haven’t received any mail in four days now and that is very unusual. [Page 1 - back] I always keep saying, well I get a couple letters today. [sic] Went to the church services this morning and hear a good sermon. We had a movie last night called Eyes in the Night, with Edward Arnold. It sure was a good picture and if you get the chance don’t hesitate to see it. Today is a very nice day and I’ve already though of being there with you. Don’t forget when you have some other pictures taken, to send them on to me. I haven’t seen Roy as yet and don’t know when I shall. We’ll see each other sometime [Page 2 - front] though. How long do you plan to work where you are now? I wish you luck to get a good job in Grand Rapids. Still wondering of what you are going to do with that first million. Don’t keep me in suspense and tell me? Still doubtful, Eh! “Sweets.” I don’t blame you, but it makes my morale go down. How do I know, well my dear, I hear your thoughts? Oh! You forgot about that didn’t you. Next time, think when I’m not around. Ha! Ha! Well Sugar, I haven’t much to write so I shall close [Page 2 - back] and will be anxiously waiting to hear from you soon. Yours always With Loads of Love & Kisses Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Give your folks my regards. Sending a Italian Lira [sic] worth 1 cent in our money. [Envelope front] Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 �c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY [“POSTAL SERVICE” missing due to top right corner of envelope being torn] 1 [?] AUG 1[?] 1943 A.P.O. [?] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. PASSED BY 11147 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Robert Ostwald [?] 1st Lt. Inf. � 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/. 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 1943-08-15 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 15, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 15, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 1943. In the letter, Joe writes on a Sunday in Sicily hoping that Agnes is safe and well back in the United States and wishes her luck in finding a good job upon her move to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also discusses his recent activities including attending a church service and watching a film called "Eyes in the Night." 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 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/67bd00444037cfa42ec5c016057fc2a6.pdf bfa072f7b5941895c0423f31570b613d PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/427623eba4301e42c60a7fcb33dadb9d.pdf 2d24101a186e0d9f9bd4c9f144bcbbf2 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-08-18] [Page 1] England August 18, 1944. Dearest “Darling,” I was very pleased to get your three letters and the pictures which I thought are wonderful. I have one complaint though because I didn’t like the way you had your hair done up. Otherwise “Darling” you’re as beautiful as ever and how I wish I could hold you tight in my arms again. Gee! That would be swell, for I could tell you how much I’ve missed you and in between get all of those [Page 2] kisses I am so patiently waiting for. Gosh! I wish you could squeeze me right now for I could stand two years worth. [sic] While you are doing that I might be awful tempted to bite your ears. Do you think that you could stand some of it? If not I’ll do it anyhow. Ha! Ha! I guess we shan’t ever get any rest, will we “Darling”? But it’s going to be wonderful to be together again and I’d give anything to be with you right now. I think of you hundreds of times in one day and with you wiggling deep down in [Page 3] no other girl will ever take your place. So from day to day I just keep you with me wherever I go. It’s going to be grand when we can talk about our future plans and when we do, we’ll go to some quiet place where no one will bother us. I wish I could have been with you when you were eating that watermelon. I haven’t had any in so long that I don’t know what they taste like anymore. What a meanie you are not to even offer me a piece of it. You have grown and changed a lot comparing these recent pictures with your [Page 4] old ones I have “Sugar.” If you keep on growing taller I’ll look like a “miget” [sic] when I go walking with you. You seem to be very tall in your high heeled shoes. Oh! Well I’ll make a pair of stilts and grow with you. Ha! Ha! I must say that everyone has changed and grown. I didn’t even recognize Beasie Junior or Richard. Wish I could take some pictures of myself to send to you but that’s impossible and hope you will not think I’m neglecting you? I have sent two money orders of 180 dollars to keep for me in my last letter and I hope you will [Page 5] receive them. I shall send you some more later on till I think we have enough to have our wedding. If we were only together to plan it, how happy it would make us be. Wouldn’t it? Well “Darling” if you keep praying for me your prayers will be answered and we sure will trust in the �Lord and bring our problems to Him. He’ll help us greatly in whatever we shall ask. My prayers have been answered not once but as many times as I’ve asked. So you needn’t worry none of my not returning for I shall. I’m still waiting for your other package “Precious” for I’m a mighty hungry man. Do [Page 6] you think you can satisfy this stomach of mine? I think you can because you’ve made some swell cookies and I really like them but not as much as I do you. You should see my bed right now. I’ve got all your pictures lined up, V-mail, envelopes and letters scattered all over it. I did this just so I could reach for anything I had in mind. Ain’t I awful? You will see that purple heart I’ve sent my mother “Darling.” She’s only keeping it for me while I’m away. On that picture of you and Alice sitting together, I can see your ring very clearly and it’s [Page 7] beautiful. I just can’t waite [sic] to put it on your finger myself and I shall be thrilled when I do. So, I’d better hurry home oughtn’t I? I just got another letter from you dated Aug. 9th and a letter from Helen. It sure does bring up my morale when it comes in regular. So you and Gloria can paint. Well you’ve got a swell job and don’t forget to keep in practice so you can paint our home someday. When you do, I’m going to sit in the shade and watch. Ha! Ha! I wouldn’t mind if you would come over here so I could put my arms around you. But you won’t, so we’ll [Page 8] both have to waite. [sic] Yes, Ollie and Janice are very fortunate and I envy them. I just can’t waite till I get back, so we can get married also and be as happy as a lot of other people. In my next letter I shall write another request and all of the packages will reach me same day. Shall close for now and write real soon. Always yours, With Oceans of Love, “Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Surprising myself again by writing a longer letter. Ha! Ha! {Hand-drawn symbols for hugs and kisses} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “K,” Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. 514-A c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. �{Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 514 AUG 20 1944 A.P.O. VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 10087 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_1944-08-18 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 1944-08-18 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 18, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 18, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 20, 1944. In the letter, Joe surprises himself by writing eight pages to Agnes, covering various topics such as their wedding plans, his impressions of the photographs she sent to him and how she has changed since he's been stationed overseas. 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/d876c122b97a3d310afd06915f02374a.pdf 5cfdbf455047bdb2e481e4f2191528e0 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2d5719b1f0a344097dae5667a2e54d05.pdf 3baaf47a21d273d87e799f2ff8a08706 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-08-20] [Page 1 - front] Sicily August 20, 1943 Hello Sweets, Rec’d your letter of July 24 and was glad to hear from you. It’s the first letter I received in 6 days. I’m fine as usual “Sweets” and hope you are the same. Was glad to hear that you got the German picture I sent. We are back to the rear now and when this campaign is over God only knows where we will go next. How are your folks, these days? Probably busy packing. Haven’t seen Roy as yet but will look him up when I get the chance. He’s got some [Page 1 - back] of my pictures that I let him keep for me. We are in an almond orchard [?] and I’ve eaten almonds so much that they ought to be coming out of my ears. I hope by now that you have received all of the mail I sent you in the past month. I am to be cited for the work I had done in this invasion. What do you think of that? I did my job and am well satisfied. Yes, it has been a long time “Sweets,” since we’ve seen each other but some day, we shall be together. I miss you very much “Sweets” and think of you often. How is Gloria [Page 2 - front] making out since her boy friend went away? Or did she forget him already? Ha! Ha! As for the package you mentioned in your letter, if you did send it, I have not received it as yet. Don’t forget to send me that picture I wanted. It wasn’t a coincidence about your mother and I agreeing about the picture, for it is a good one. I haven’t heard from Helen or home and am anxiously waiting to hear more about my two other sisters who are in the hospital. It is quite hot out today and right now big drops of sweat are rolling down my [Page 2 - back] face and back. Well “Sweets,” I shall close for this time. Write real soon. Yours always With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 �c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL [“SERVICE” missing due to top right corner of envelope being torn] AUG 24 1943 A.P.O. 1 Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. PASSED BY 11147 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Robert Ostwald [?] 1st Lt. Inf. � 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/. 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 1943-08-20 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 20, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 20, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 24, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from an almond orchard in Sicily and hopes to hear more from his family regarding his two sisters who are in the hospital. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Sicily (Italy) Orchards Almond industry--Italy 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/4430a4bfc496a0a5c4852d71fc55b21e.pdf 0db9d856a89f8076eee3926199163d1f PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/acf6b737a93c237523889667a456a880.pdf 678225a3afdce2b223c1b318825a02cf PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-08-20] [Page 1] England August 20, 1944. My Dearest “Darling,” Rec’d your lovely letter of Aug. 11th and was very pleased and happy to hear from you again. I miss you as much as ever “Precious” and love you more as the days go by. My only hope is to be with you again and that’s going to be grand. I sure do miss your kisses and shall be happy to get them once again. I am so pleased that you are willing to live wherever my work maybe and love you more for such on understanding. We shall make it as close to your folks as possible. I still intend [Page 2] to learn that trade I’ve written to you about “Darling” and it will be something I can depend on in our future. I figure that I can complete it in about 8 months but it shall not hinder us being together because there is a school at Detroit or there may be one in Grand Rapids. I’ve often thought of going to some nice place as you mentioned too “Darling.” I’d rather spend our honeymoon in Michigan where there is a lake close by. I don’t want to travel too far because I would miss a lot of time being with you. I always did want to go to Holland, Mich. Is there a lake there? It isn’t too [Page 3] far away, either. There is another wonderful place about eighteen miles from where Helen lives and I’ve swam in that lake many times. However “Darling” if you have a place in mind, don’t forget to mention it in your next letter. I’d like to take you to Niagara Falls and Washington D.C. There wonderful places [sic] and I know you will enjoy the sights. Or we could go to Gettysburg, PA. If my furlough is long enough it would be swell going to one or two of these places after spending a few days as you say near a lake away from noise and where everything is so peaceful [text strikethrough] and [Page 4] we really can enjoy our “Honeymoon.” I’m well satisfied “Darling” to have a small wedding and it will be much better. So both of us agree, am I right? Gee!! “Honey” I wish I were there to talk our plans over, for I could say much more, for in a letter I can’t fill it all in. If we keep planning now by mail, we sure can have a lot done and then polish off some of it to make our plans perfect. Don’t you think so? Well, “Sugar” I shall close and will write again real soon. Always yours, With Oceans of Love, “Joe” �{Signature accent mark} P.S. {Hand-drawn symbols of hugs and kisses, including the words “Me” and “You” with arrows pointing and the message “Hard ones, at that.”} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. K, Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. 514-A c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 514 AUG 23 1944 A.P.O. VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 10087 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. 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_1944-08-20 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 1944-08-20 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 20, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 20, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 23, 1944. In the letter, Joe expresses his appreciation for Agnes and her willingness to live wherever his work may take them upon returning back home to the United States, emphasizing his intentions to live as close to her family as possible. He also writes about his hopes for learning his new trade at school in Detroit or Grand Rapids and his dreams of their future honeymoon together. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Honeymoons 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/ad6cb2e1dc0ec7dbc5a285c7ac65867d.pdf 7c9a4285961e4d4e5e36ba45607cb10f PDF Text Text �������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/cc9d6204b9dbac00088eb88467ba15b4.pdf 563227e8b435e2f175efffd38d668e51 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1941-08-23] [Page 1] Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Fort Devens, Mass. August 23, 1941. Dear Agnes, I am very sorry for not writing to you sooner and hope that I am forgiven. I did not have the time to write while on the ship for we had a five day maneuver on land and different jobs on the ship when we got back. We got into Brooklyn, Friday the 15th and came to camp. The next day all of us got an eight day furlough and most of [Page 2] us went home. I just got back, so I thought I would write, while I have the time. I am prompt in answering my letters and do not delay them only when I haven’t the time. You are a very good writer and your letter was interesting. I was surprised to hear that you were from Michigan, too, so we did surprise each other. I enjoyed being home for it was the first time in three years. My folks were really surprised [Page 3] to see me, for, I didn’t let them know I was coming. Detroit didn’t change much, only for a few more buildings. I have 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Four sisters and two brothers are married. My youngest sister is 18 and my youngest brother is 21. In otherwords, our family has grown and most of us are away from home. My pictures should be here of the reprints I sent and I shall send you one in the [Page 4] next letter. I am however, still looking forward, in meeting, you, in person, soon. [sic] That’s if you would care to meet me. What have you been doing for excitement lately? Do you still go to Whalom? Roy, at present is home but he will be back Sunday nite. �I do not like the South although I have been down there quite a few times. The people, they are very hospitable but I [Page 5] still like the North the best. You probably will go back to school soon and I hope that we can keep our correspondence and friendship, without interfering with your work. I do not know how to dance very good, for my work and traveling has kept me away from it. I know, I am missing a lot fun and it’s my own fault. I usually go swimming and will miss it when colder [Page 6] weather comes. Will close hoping to hear from you real soon and I promise that your future letters will be answered without delay. As Ever, Your Friend Joe {signature accent mark} P.S. I hope you are not mad and write when you can. [Envelope front] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 359 Central Street Winchendon, Mass. [Envelope back] Joe Alexa Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Fort Devens, Mass � 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/. 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 1941-08-23 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 23, 1941 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 23, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry of Fort Devens, Massachusetts. In the letter, Joe expresses his surprise in learning Agnes is also from Michigan and writes about his family in Detroit. He also looks forward to the day when they finally meet and he hopes to continue their friendship and correspondence after Agnes returns to school. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Fort Devens (Mass.) Detroit (Mich.) 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