486 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2c8072a630b92676177386814c786777.pdf 2e90cda1b0991924f7c503f27cc3277b PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c8560ae1e88e9ec8c5a6e5d9fbe1ae7a.pdf e08314e912cfc4596767f1f178f95cce PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-15] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 18 JAN 1944 A.S.N. 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 15, 1944. (Date) Hello “Honey,” Everyone has gone out somewhere and I’m by my lonesome thinking of you. As, I set here memories of Saturday nites, with you, rush through my mind. [sic] I can bring back all of that in a few minutes but yet that was so long ago. I keep wishing that you were here just for a little while to give you a big hug. I still love very much “Darling” and miss you a plenty. Both of us will have to wait patiently for my return and it seems that at times I can hardly wait for that day to come. Don’t you? This reminds me of a song which was popular a while back. The song is “Wishing.” Remember it. This darn pen gets on my nerves at times so don’t criticize [?] the writing. Ha! Ha! Well “Precious” I shall close, thinking of you always. Please write real soon. Give my regards to your folks. Yours Always, With Lots of LOVE and KISSES “Joe” {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JAN 25 8 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-15 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-15 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 15, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 15, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 25, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes while reminiscing about their time together and reminding Agnes that they will need to be patient for his return back home to the United States. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-Mail 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/c5d727357704c5ffdae0776a44582142.pdf cac1a5c784e08f4f51aa85fa7b160f24 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/080aa5c56a05eb6225a931384aaf5f92.pdf ecede81900aa77b54beb135c6d31279e PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-16] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 18 JAN 1944 A.S.N. 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 16, 1944. (Date) Hello “Sweets,” Today is Sunday and what a pleasant day. Wish you were here to enjoy it with me. I hope by now that you got the 2 pictures I sent you. What do you think of them? I’m still waiting for the pictures you are going to send and I hope they are on the way. Well, “Darling” what have you been doing today? I haven’t done anything special except to think of you and that isn’t unusual with me. No mail came in but I should hear from you tomorrow. How do I know? Well, young lady, I have it all figured out. Ha! Ha! I still miss you as much as ever and hope it’s the same with you. I suppose your mother and Gloria were surprised to hear from me. Are you jealous? You shouldn’t be. Ha! Ha! Well “Sweets” I will close until tomorrow. Yours Always, With Loads of KISSES “Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Write as often as you can. �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JAN 25 8 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-16 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-16 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 16, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 16, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 25, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a pleasant Sunday overseas as he awaits another letter from her and the photographs she promised to send. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-Mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1eaf498cc4b4ab302a986398f5e7baae.pdf 1dfdfa6b2baf2b25a78a48e2d21ff9ff PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/20d617f08495ab55f4ab3fa4f5105964.pdf ade20e10fe744c9aeac18fb9028375fa PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-17] [Page 1] England January 17, 1944. {Stationary letterhead featuring the American flag and the words “ONE FLAG ONE COUNTRY} Hello “Darling,” Rec’d your letter and the picture you sent to me. It has made me very happy and I like the picture very much. If you were here now I’d give you the biggest hugs you ever got from me, not mentioning any of the kisses, I would shower you with. I’m also in suspence [sic] to get the other ones you mentioned also. I’m also glad to hear you liked the housecoat that I had Helen to get for me and send to you. You have changed a lot in comparison with the other pictures I have of you. Anyway “Darling” it makes me want to see you all the more and I’m not kidding. [Page 2] I’ll have to cut the picture some to get it in my pocket holder. This way, I’ll always have it on me, to look at when I’m feeling lonely and blue. I also hope that you got the pictures I sent but I don’t think I changed any or as much as you’d think. You’ve got me so nervous “Darling” sending that picture that I can hardly write. Now see what you have done to me? After, all “Sweets,” I’m entitled to look at your picture while writing for its been so darn long that I saw you last that at times I’m very impatient. What do you think of that? I couldn’t very well get inside of those hugs you sent so I’m kinda disappointed. Ha! Ha! [Page 3] Helen described the housecoat she got to me so I knew the color of it but was waiting to hear when you got it. I must have read your mind again dear when you thought of getting one. Ha! Ha! By the way, how tall are you now “Sweets”? If you have grown more than 5’8”, I’ll have to cut you down to be an inch shorter than me. Ha! Ha! Aint, I mean? I suppose the coat you have on in the picture is the new one you wrote about sometime ago. Where’s that pan-cake hat? Ha! Ha! Don’t mind me “Darling” I’m trying to be funny? I’m still waiting for your letter about visiting my folks and expect it to be here within a couple of days. Your boss was very kind to let you off early to catch that train. Tell him, I’ll buy [Page 4] him a cigar when I get back. Well “Sweets,” I will close for this time with all my Love to you. Write real soon and as often as you can. Yours always, With Loads of Love & Kisses �“Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. I’ve written quite a few V-mails to you and hope you get all of them. Give my regards to your folks. ()()()()()()()()()() The hugs are small but they’ll have to do till I get back. Ha! Ha! [Envelope front] 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 JAN 20 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 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_1944-01-17 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 1944-01-17 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 17, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 17, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 20, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England after receiving a new letter and photograph from her and notes how she has changed since he last saw her. 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/2bb6b016b33518f37ec03d00200bad3d.pdf ac99b55c43aeb933b110bc3bf14fc22a PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b8bfaad08c9ff69ed7ff3bfdcd825152.pdf d3bb90e13c0bdd6b462e3a0a94f993a6 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-01-19] [Page 1] Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Fort Devens, Mass. January 19, 1942 Dear Agnes, Arrived here from our trip early this morning. We were plenty tired and I don’t mean maybe. I had written you a letter while on the boat. Did you get it? Our mail was being censored coming in and going. We were not allowed to write anything about the trip or even how the weather was where we were. We went on a boat trip and made one boat landing and stayed in Port at Norfolk, Virginia till the 17th. The ship was a palace compared with the one we had in July and August. I don’t know why we didn’t stay [Page 2] there longer and I really did think that we wouldn’t come back to Ft. Devens. By the way you wrote, I thought sure that [sic] the snow was plentiful but it’s all gone. Instead it’s raining like the dickens out now. Did you get the pictures? If you didn’t, send me the receipt and I will go down to get them. I’ll try to come down this Saturday providing I am not on K.P. or special duty. My hair got into my eyes while on maneuvers, so I had it cut short. So, my curl is gone till my hair grows longer. Did I read your letter correctly for you stated you’re not bashful? I believe that! Ha! Ha! Well, if Gloria is going to have [Page 3] another boyfriend, she should practice holding hands with me on occasion to get used to it. Ha! Ha! Will close for I haven’t much to write. Don’t forget to send the receipt, providing you didn’t get the pictures. Give the folks my regards. �As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Write soon. [Envelope front] {Postmark} - partially illegible AYER MASS. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. [Envelope back] Pvt. Joe Olexa 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/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1942-01-19 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1942-01-19 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 19, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 19, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated January 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after returning back to Fort Devens from their boat trip and recent stay in Norfolk, Virginia, and discusses how he wrote to her aboard the boat and how the mail continues to be censored between them. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Fort Devens (Mass.) Postal service--Censorship 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/be759e876f1a73300e135c8717b7fed3.pdf a88d59538a6e1cc946cc97bc98d161de PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/38164755f60cdaa7a0da3c418de130c5.pdf ff1c03407a7e81e33b68089d3fa483ac PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-01-19] [Page 1] North Africa Jan. 19, 1943 In a “Fox Hole” Dear Agnes, I received your letter of Jan. 4 and was glad to hear from you. I also got a lot of your letters written in Oct. and Nove. Last but not the least, the telegram. I suppose and hope that you are getting what few letters I write from here. Don’t go a worrying for when I have the chance, I’ll write. I have not gotten your packages and I hope that they will catch up with me sometime. As a matter of fact, I haven’t gotten the packages my folks [Page 2] sent to me either. I’m well and safe as usual and hope that you are the same. Everything is coming along fine. How are your folks, the Walsh’s, and the rest of the family? Don’t forget to tell them I said, Hello. I also received a letter from my sister, Helen, and have answered it already. I also have written to my folks at home. Your Dad sure pulled a good one on me by getting a Master Sergeants rating. I think he did a lot of handshaking to get it. I’ll just have to plug along now as a buck sergeant [Page 3] for it’s a stiff climb to get up even with him. Just for meanness, I’ll work more. Ha! Ha! Roy isn’t with us and I haven’t seen him since we left England. Carolyn hasn’t written to me at all, so she just wanted to make some gossip. I still miss you, “Honey,” and think of you often. I’m not very affectionate in my letters now and hope you will understand. How is my girl “Beasie”? Don’t forget to tell her to write? What are you going to do with all that money you’re making? After a while you may turn into a penny-pincher. Ha! Ha! [Page 4] I don’t think that I’ll be able to answer all of your letters but will write when time permits. Don’t forget to send me some of your latest snapshots. I’ll be looking for them from now on. Well “sweets,” I shall close and write real soon. Yours, �With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Excuse the writing. [Envelope front] Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. U.S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE JAN 24 1943 P.M. A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. U.S.A. Robert Ostwald 2nd 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/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1943-01-19 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-01-19 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 19, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 19, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated January 24, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from inside a "fox hole" in North Africa and after receiving letters from her dating back to October. He also forewarns that he may not be able to answer each of her letters, but reassures that he will write to her whenever time permits. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Africa, North 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/be7e9c01b1234d1cd73f83d32ea71c70.pdf afccbcd1bb576250693c0f6f79888cff PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/49a7c2184b5b4f0c5234b5aaae08265f.pdf b28ab5757de1b12999a56787f562d2b4 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-19_01] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 [?] U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 20 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 19, 1944. (Date) Hello “Sweets,” Got you V-mail letter of Jan. 6 and was pleased to get it. [sic] I got a letter from Francis and wrote that she was very pleased to have met you and said she like you very much. All of my folks feel the same way and they all hope that you will go down there again sometime. They also liked Venna, so if you ever go to visit my folks, you’ll have to take her along again. Anyway “Darling,” I’m very pleased with everything and wished many times that I had been there too. I was very surprised to hear that my other sister from Buffalo was up home for a visit too. Did you meet her too? I see where I’ll have to write another V-mail. Shall close “Sweets” and start on the other one. Don’t forget young Lady that I still miss you, very much. Yours always With Love – “Joe” {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JAN 29 8:30 AM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-19_01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-19 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 19, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 19, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 29, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news that his family was pleased to meet her and encouraging her to visit again one day. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-Mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e33b578995b63271be250514563f704e.pdf 3f9a43fc43fe73265e77d6a950018a4a PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5f8cc73da680268c086f336435ba3ca0.pdf 2826cd60d420bb5d4207f9bb1a7e8715 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-19_02] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 [?] U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 20 [?] JAN 1944 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 19, 1944 (Date) Hello “Honey,” Here’s at man again so don’t get bored. [sic] I love you very much “Darling” and miss you as much as you do me. I wish, I could get that big hug and kiss, you, wrote about. I’d be very greedy, though and take a lot more. I also have looked at your picture and hope that I didn’t scare you to death. Ha! Ha! Helen guess your size for the housecoat so I hope it was right. I’m still waiting for the other pictures you are to send “Sweets” and hope they are on the way. I’ve written most every day so I’m no doing bad, if, I do say so. Why? I’ll let you guess. Ha! Ha! Well “Darling,” I shall close with all my love to you. Write real soon. Give your folks a Hello for me. Yours always With Lots of Love & Kisses “Joe” P.S. I’m still very pleased about everything. {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JAN 29 8:30 AM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-19_02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-19 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 19, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 19, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 29, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes an additional message to Agnes that day as he awaits the receipt of her photographs and misses her as much as ever. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-Mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b367ed1436efe4dbd0867b172568a82f.pdf 781da591e342862b70587898cb8007ba PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fe515902a7b31a87d306233957db64af.pdf c3a03f6dbe57db129cf75bd7f9026325 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-20] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 21 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 20, 1944. (Date) Hello “Dear,” Still thinking of you which isn’t unusual and it seems that I love you more each day. Got a letter from Helen today and everything is fine with her. I’ve got your picture in front of me, at present and I’m awfully tempted to give you a big hug. You look so “Sweet,” there. Well, “Darling” I’m beginning to quiet down from all of the excitement, I had from your recent letters and the one from home. Today has been a nice day although its muddy. I imagine its quite cold back there. Eh! How are your folks? Have you moved as yet? What is your home like? Did your mother get my letter? Where’s that lock of “hair”? If, I don’t get it soon, I’ll bite your ears, via-airmail. Can’t get into them hugs of yours as yet but I’m still trying. Ha! Ha! Shall close for now and write real soon. I’m on guard today isn’t that wonderful? Ha! Ha! Yours always With Lots of Love & Kisses “Joe” {Signature accent mark} �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 1 1:30 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-20 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 1944-01-20 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 20, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 20, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 1, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing how he loves her more with each passing day and how sweet she looks in the photograph she sent to him. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-Mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/80e6e34410eb4fa3677a2445db036118.pdf 8669d08fbf22349c78305703a156df18 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/762bcdd43b7a859403926de4f0c1ff45.pdf 4bc63852e02b5ee3641d244f4d785ad8 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-21] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} JAN 22 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 21, 1944. (Date) Hello “Sugar,” Didn’t get any mail today but here I am again. Today has been a swell day even though I was on guard. I thought of you most of the time and love you as much as ever. Did I tell you about going to a swimming school a while back? I passed an instructor’s course and now can teach swimming. If you want to learn how, come over anytime and I’ll make sure that all of my time will be spent with you? [sic] You might learn to swim and you may not. It all depends on me. Ha! Ha! Are you still taking your driving lessons? I’m still getting V-mails from my folks stating how much they enjoyed your visit. They also write about Venna and hope that the both of you will visit them again. I sure wish that I could visit you right now “Sweets.” I’ll have to write though. Will close “Darling,” for now and write real soon. Yours Always With Lots of Love & Kisses “Joe” {Signature accent mark} {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JAN 30 6 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-21 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-21 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 21, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 21, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 30, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe shares the good news that he passed a swimming instructor course and offers to teach Agnes to swim if only she would visit him overseas. He also writes about the V-mail letters he received from his parents and how much they enjoyed meeting Agnes. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Swimming Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4040f343a4d1c6a43bcdca3e0aa19220.pdf b253cbb220130bb4c5db7572372b3380 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/66a9afc03157e094de8bf4ef0fe28581.pdf 0dc64d496827b2c21f4cf21c7ba430bb PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-01-21] [Page 1] England Jan. 21, 1945 “My Darling,” Here I am late as usual but my thoughts of you are ever present and how I wish we were together again. I’m improving slowly and as I’ve written it will take time for my nerves to get settled again. However, it is nothing for you to worry about and I hope you won’t? [sic] I love you more each day “Darling” and my one desire is to be with you and hold you in my arms once again. It’s been ages since I did that last but I’ve [Page 2] imagined of holding you in my arms a million times. I’d like so much to be able to talk over our future plans together and until I do return, we shall have to be as patient as we’ve always been. I’ve made some souvenirs for you which I intend to send you as soon as I can. I’m not going to tell you what it is. Just like me to be a meanie, but it will make you think of me more, guessing what it will be. Ha! Ha! Well, “Darling” I have not as yet rec’d any of your back letters which I miss very [Page 3] much but I have hopes of getting them soon. Right now, I wouldn’t like nothing better than to bite your ears and pull your hair. It would suit me to a T. Ha! Ha! I always think of the swell times we spent together and they never fade. It is a beautiful day out today being clear and cold with the ground covered with a little snow which makes it wonderful. I went to church this morning and heard a very good sermon. Wished you were here to go with me. Well, “Sweets,” what have you been doing lately? Thinking of [Page 4] me, I hope? How is the work? Are you still working hard? I’m still anxious to get the answers to my questions I’ve asked before in my other letters and hope some of them are in my back mail. How are your folks and the baby? Don’t forget to give them my best regards. You know Darling, I could recuperate better if I were sent home, but the Army don’t think so. Some guys are fortunate to get these furloughs to recuperate back home but when I shall be that lucky is beyond me. Maybe two and a half years isn’t long enough. Will close Sweets with all my love to you and write real soon. Yours Always - With Loads of Hugs – “Joe.” � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-01-21 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-01-21 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 21, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 21, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while back in England, where his health is slowly improving and his nervous system is in need of healing. He notes that the absence of her letters has affected his morale and how a furlough back home would help him recuperate after two and a half years spent overseas. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Church services Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f9c8467c532ed7b504c65d32f5599dbb.pdf 74f6879ee4723147cc82befe75077c9a PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/91fd8931cfe70d01f5e82185b40c5a32.pdf 2433da37575ec5e93400185d5be8d7d4 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-23_01] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 24 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 23, 1944. (Date) Hello “Precious,” Today is Sunday and the sun did shine for a while but now it is raining. Went to church in town this morning and enjoyed the services very much. Got a letter from Helen tonite [sic] and everything is fine with her. She wrote about the Christmas and New Year they had. I thought a lot of you today, “Darling” and wished many times that we could have been together, so I could squeeze you and tell you how much “I love you.” Have you sent me the popular songs that were on Hit parade? I hope you will sometime “dear,” if you didn’t. I don’t know any of the new song and to tell the truth, I haven’t heard them. [sic] No radio, is the reason. “Darling,” you don’t know how much I miss you and I’m very anxious to see you again. It’s been so long hasn’t it? Will have to close now “Sweets,” with all my Love to you. Yours always With Lots of Love & Kisses “Joe” {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 1 1:30 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-23_01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-23 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 23, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 23, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 1, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a rainy Sunday and shares his news for the day including a recent visit to church for their Sunday service and hearing from his sister Helen about her holidays back home. He also inquires about the popular songs from the Hit parade, which he misses hearing without a radio while stationed overseas. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Hit parade (Radio program) 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/ba754751130f1a73bb2577ea73c14cac.pdf 9ad1aa49a181b8729c5e7aa34385994d PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/81ae99fc9ec94420b967a9abdaa0179d.pdf cbaf2d2e4f8276e65c9a12c732bdd46e PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-23_02] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 24 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 23, 1944. (Date) Hello Darling, It has been raining all day today and is it ever muddy. I’m on Charge of Quarters today and run enough to tire a horse. Got one of your old letters dated Dec. 16th tonite. [sic] I love you more than ever, “Sweets” and think of you all of the time. I sure do remember the Saturday nites we had together and wish that I was with you right now. But I guess it will be sometime in the late future. I had a few things to write about before I started writing but forgot what it was. That’s just like me, ain’t it? Have your folks moved into your new home as yet? Don’t forget to give them my regards? Well “Darling,” I must admit my brains is running out [sic] so I shall close with all my Love to You. Yours Always With Lots of Love & Kisses “Joe” P.S. Write real soon. �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JAN 29 11:30 AM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-23_02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-23 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 23, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 23, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 29, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes on another rainy day while he is in "Charge of Quarters" and reminisces about the Saturday nights they once spent together. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8aabbf41aeed9d39185e5118da668bbc.pdf e4030077a425e3b8da234be80a943070 PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/67389d24a04d01e9a13adbbca9179199.pdf a850e28ef782cb2fe171a03ac4378c21 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-24] [Page 1 - front] England January 24, 1944. Hello Darling, Rec’d two of your letters today dated Jan. 3rd and 11th and the pictures you sent which were swell. It does seem strange to get mail late and then recent letters. I’m still very pleased that you did enjoy yourself with my folks. Their always like that anyway. [sic] So, Ollie tried to pull something on you, didn’t he? I wouldn’t put it past him to try something as a joke. I also think the world of your folks and I’m not kidding any. I also hope to meet the rest of your relatives providing, I get back home again. Sometimes, I’m over anxious too. I shan’t keep you in suspence [sic] any longer “Darling” of what my mother told you. I’m glad that you did write to me about it. I did so want to tell you about [Page 1 - back] my being engaged once but didn’t want to have to write it out. What I did intend to do was to tell you about it when I got back in person. I haven’t hid anything from you and was glad my mother told you about it. This of course was only a minor detail of what I do intend to discuss with you when I get back. I believe you know what the other part is going to be from your letters and mine. Well to start off with I was engaged to be married in nineteen-forty but the girl I went with then broke the engagement and that’s the last I saw or heard of her. She is the least of my thoughts and my only interest is you. I love you as much as ever Darling, and I hope that I haven’t hurt your feelings toward me. I thought that it would be much better to tell you in person about the broken engagement, which is the truth. I hope you believe me. I want you to trust me as much as I do you but if I caused you any harm, I hope [Page 2 - front] that you will “forgive” me. It is quite hard for me to write the questions you may have in mind and wish that I could be there to answer all of your questions but I can’t and hope you never doubt me. You have not hurt my feelings towards you, and I’m very pleased you wrote about it to me. I know you will not be able to forget about it in a hurry or what your folks may think of it but I want you to have faith in me. If you should doubt of what I have written to you it would make me feel very bad and yet, I wouldn’t blame you. I hope that we can plan the future together, if not, my thoughts will be of you and will say you’ve been swell, and true to me. I don’t intend to make it a fish story and you haven’t played second fiddle, for anyone, because I’m in Love with you and you only. But that is for you to decide and you only. I want you to think it over “thoroughly” and give me your answer. I shall patiently wait for your answer although I will be in suspense. Anyway I [Page 2 - back] �want you to be free from your doubts of me. I think the world of you, “Darling” and am waiting for this mess to be over so I can go home and prove it. I don’t care if the whole world would hear me tell you these words, “I LOVE YOU.” Just think of the song, “I don’t want to Set the World on fire” which is only little of my thoughts of you. [sic] Well, “Sweets,” I’ll change the subject for I do not want to bore you. I got a V-mail from Helen and one from my brother Johnny. They also stated that they wanted to meet you and I hope you will. I had a big filling fall out of one of my molars last nite [sic] and it sure did ache. I went to the Dentist this morning and had it redrilled and filled again. It has rained some today also and it is still very muddy out. I suppose it’s quite cold out there where you are? I’d like to know the names of your Aunt and Cousin. You didn’t mention it in your letter. Did you thank your cousins for me, for sending me Christmas cards? If you didn’t young Lady, I’m liable to nip your nose providing [Page 3 - front] I could reach you. I’d think though that I’d get greedy and give you all the hugs I wrote about. How are your folks and don’t forget to give them my regards and Hello? “Darling” have you told them about my broken engagement? I’d like you to tell them, also for they should know, too. Did your mother and Gloria get the letters I sent them? Well “Darling,” how are you making out at work? I’m still waiting for your lip-stick kisses at the close of your letters, for I do want to know what it tastes like. Ha! Ha! Ain’t I awful. Will close for this time “Sweets” and will patiently wait for you to answer real soon. I still would like that lock of your beautiful hair. Would you part with just a tiny bit of it for me. I’m still very pleased that you mentioned what my mother told you and Remember “Darling,” I still love you. [sic] Yours always With Lots of Love & Kisses Joe {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o PM, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army Free {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 JAN 26 1944 �A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 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_1944-01-24 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 1944-01-24 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 24, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 24, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated January 26, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes multiple pages to Agnes from England related to her recent visit with his parents and the news of his prior 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/b48fb3a179ad6c4a58161ba1aeb949eb.pdf c9a9dbfa43375f36f5dc1b20181a297c PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c3ac9ba6ec9e6633cb9be1553c9ad104.pdf 088536ef564b13ddbaf828cde10d7c02 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-25] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 26 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 25, 1944. (Date) Hello “Sugar,” Have written you a letter explaining why I neglected to tell [text strikethrough] you of what my mother told you. I hope that when you get this letter that you will understand. I also got the two pictures and they were swell. Your “Dad” still looks like a regular go getter. Ha! Ha! I still love you as much as ever “Darling” and think of you an awful lot. Well what have you been doing lately? Have you seen any new picture shows? I haven’t been to a movie in a long time myself. I wish I could get a furlough to go home? [sic] Boy!! I’d make a bee-line for home then on up to see you. But then, I’ll have to write, won’t I? Did you hear from my folks since you got back? I didn’t hear from Ollie as yet. He’s lazy. Will close for this time Sweets and write real soon. Give my regards to everyone. Yours Always With Lots of Love & Kisses “Joe” {Signature accent mark} �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 3 8:30 AM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-25 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-25 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 25, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 25, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 3, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to notify Agnes of the previous letter he sent discussing his prior engagement and to share his happiness in receiving her photographs. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f9de3971fd42a99220b904cc0fcb8039.pdf ea22fa554dce041780bf49fc91bd6585 PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5894f1587b5b2d8868a64b4df7e949c3.pdf 6334551715dd2811f0c66cccc98d0e68 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-01-26] [Page 1] Fort Devens, Mass. Co. “L,” 26th Infantry January 26, 1942 Dear Agnes, Got back to Camp O.K. last nite and very sleepy. [sic] Since I told you what I knew it will be kinda hard to write. Today, we had rifle exercise, close order drill, a lecture on gas and instructions on the machine gun and mortar. Tomorrow, we are going on an all day hike with a full field pack. I guess us boys will feel tired when we get back. Roy is feeling quite spry at present for he’s lying on a bunk, singing his blues away. Last nite [sic] coming home he had the [Page 2] blues and tries to tell me he isn’t going to Carolyn’s anymore. It’s the same old story for me. I forgot to thank your father for the ride to Fitchburg, so you can thank him for me. I’m getting absent-minded now days. [sic] I got a letter from my brother who is at college and now he’s studying hard to pass some of his mid-year exams so you’re not the only one. Claypool don’t believe me [sic] about him writing to you and getting acquainted. Now ain’t that something. I liked the frame your dad made for the big picture I gave you. Well, I must admit, I wish I could make them myself. This Saturday is pay-day and I’ll be flooded with money until I [Page 3] make an appointment to have my teeth fixed. I shall try to get down there by six o’clock Saturday nite [sic] but I’m going to do some shopping first. Gloria forgot to hold hands with me last night, so tell her I’m going to wait until next week. She better not blush either. Ha! Ha! Well I shall close for I’ve run out of news. Write soon. �I’ll bet your mid-year marks will be low. I hope you get 0. Ha! Ha! As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Roy’s gone crazy singing here trying to make me miserable while writing. [Page 4] Don’t forget to give me the news of myself when you write for someone knows more about me than I do myself. [sic] This letter isn’t the one I had written Sunday. [Envelope front] {Postmark} - partially illegible AYER JAN [?] 11 AM 1942 MASS. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. [Envelope back] P.F.C. Joe Olexa 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/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1942-01-26 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 1942-01-26 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 26, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 26, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated January 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after returning back to camp at Fort Devens and shares the military exercises he had completed that day, in addition to the all-day hike planned for their training activity the following day. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence 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/506e92fa2aec02d509cb79b919a0a010.pdf c0a4f6bcd1e5fb9303d9d2024369c69f PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7e07b3fc2b5dc8b2a4a210fe9ef97db8.pdf d9c5a3d6fceb4770ae26847db10fba26 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-26_01] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 28 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 26, 1944. (Date) Hello “Darling,” Got your two latest letters dated Jan. 12th and 15th and was very pleased to hear from you. This darn pen doesn’t hold ink so don’t blame me for it. Well “Darling,” don’t worry about making good imprint kisses and just send them. I’m thrilled with your kisses “Sweets” and wish I were there now to get some. I love you more and more all of the time and miss you more than I could write. Sometimes I just can’t seem to waite [sic] for my returning and being together again. That was thoughtful of your mother to want to put me to work. What is that word [?] any way? Ha! Ha! From your description of your folks’ new home it must be swell and I hope to see it sometime soon. Is your mother and Gloria going to answer my letters? If not I’m going to get awful mad. Well, “Darling” will close and start another V-mail. Yours always, With Lots of Love “Joe” P.S. Write real soon. �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 6 9 AM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-26_01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-26 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 26, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 26, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 6, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe describes his appreciation of Agnes' affection and the lipstick imprints he hopes she will include in her letters. He also writes about his eagerness to return home to see her and how he hopes to visit her parents' new home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Lipstick Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f8ee379e793dd7baf0bc247b1154cf9f.pdf 2d68f4394dccaa65ad7ae7f620debf25 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f3d7827d494abc33229f8fd29769e9c3.pdf be64b471339d041576a4936ab4546780 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-26_02] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Miss Agnes Van Der Weidie 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 28 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 26, 1944. (Date) Hello “Precious,” Here I am again so don’t faint. Ha! Ha! I guess I did spoil Junior and Elaine but I didn’t think they would remember. Did you find a fountain pen to send “Sweets.” [sic] This is the third one so far and I’m getting mad. I don’t know who I will visit first when I get back but it will work out O.K. I’m saving all of my kisses for you, “Darling” and it adds more each day. I’m only giving them to two Sweethearts. One is you and the other one is my mother. Ain’t I generous? I have not heard from Ollie yet but I guess, I will later on. I need writing paper and envelopes very bad so hurry “Darling” and send some if you can. Maybe, then I could write you a nice long letter in between to tell you how much I love you and miss you. If not a V-mail will have to do!! Ha! Ha! Will close until tomorrow. Give my regards to your folks for me. I read your letters over from time to time and sometimes think they may disappear. Ha! Ha! Yours always, With Lots of Kisses “Joe” �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 6 9 AM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-26_02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-26 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 26, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 26, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 6, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes his second message to Agnes on that day and shares that he is need of writing paper, envelopes, and a new fountain pen so that he can write another long letter to her in addition to his regular V-Mail messages. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-Mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1ecb246a4c3139398894ee4bf6d71176.pdf 210447fb7618997bd22dad99a4d3d59b PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/631bc27e2009cded27ae3218d96f2fb0.pdf 9a8c0c5cfdf1eec0e1df6cab8e22a044 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-27] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 29 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 27, 1944. (Date) Hello Sugar, Just got back from a show and thought I would write my daily V-mail. The picture was an old one called “The man who wouldn’t die” with Lloyd Nolan. It’s pretty good. Most of the fellows are in bed, so it’s quite peaceful. When it’s like this, I think of you and wish I could hug you and pull your curls. Ain’t I awful, “Darling”? I like to do that especially when you take pains in fixing your hair. I’m not to blame, though for you made me, this way. [sic] Ha! Ha! I love you more than ever “Darling” and waite [sic] for your letters to come. I’m just waiting for the day when you and I can be together again. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other and at times I’m very impatient. Aren’t you? Are you getting my letters from 1832? I have written a lot to that address. Well “Sweets,” I will close and remember, this Lug [?] on this side, loves you more than what he can write. [sic] Yours Always, With Lots of Love and Kisses “Joe” �P.S. Where’s that curl?!!! {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 9 9:30 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-27 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 1944-01-27 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 27, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 27, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 9, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes his daily V-mail to Agnes during a peaceful time at night after seeing the film "The Man Who Wouldn't Die" staring Lloyd Nolan. He also inquires if she has received his letters that were previously addressed to 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. instead of her new address at 1913 Berkley in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Nolan, Lloyd 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/29e21db2ab8e358a4906b613d5434225.pdf f9db53b082e1693be2d933bf457504b2 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6eeea1bccebebd7fe344fd0ba9eb2ca2.pdf 24336e6053e5b4e731b983602d318eb6 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-28] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 29 JAN 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 28, 1944. (Date) Hello “Darling,” I’m very tired tonite [sic] for some reason but I’ll write anyhow. Didn’t get any mail from you today but hope to tomorrow. I still love you “Darling” and will always miss you, till I get back. How are your folks? Don’t forget to give, them, my regards? [sic] This letter a day business is getting me down for when the end of the month rolls around I have nothing to write. Its just like me, isn’t it? Well “Sweets,” how is your work? Are you getting along O.K. with it? I still haven’t received any letter from Ollie as yet. Boy, what a lazy, lug? Isn’t he? I couldn’t set still if I had letters to answer and didn’t do it. If, I don’t get them kisses you promised me soon Young Lady, I’ll stop writing. Ha! Ha! Will close “Gorgeous” and write real, real soon. Yours always, With Loads of Love and Kisses “Joe” {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 9 9:30 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-28 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-01-28 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 28, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 28, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 9, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes while feeling tired in the evening and notes how writing everyday leaves him with nothing more to write except the constants of how much he loves and misses her. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3744cf1fb5f5769ed2a5a6c9c6890a2c.pdf 9be47fb5441755c7f76e6f4c319c8cdc PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4f945ae8c24f82c671318b34dbbbc4e2.pdf ad514e7ff5b036dc1cde57e32de3c827 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-01-29] [Page 1 - front] North Africa Jan. 29, 1943 Dear Agnes, I was most certainly surprised to get your packages and their contents last nite. [sic] Everything got her in good shape, so you don’t have to worry anymore. My morale came up a 100% and if you were here, I’d give you a big bear hug. I still miss you as much as ever and someday I’ll be back again. I’m very tickled and grateful in getting the packages you sent to me. They are the only ones I got so far and I hope to get the ones from the folks soon. I also got your two V-mail letters dated Dec. 21 & 22. I’m fine and well as [Page 1 - back] usual and hope you are the same “sweets.” How are you folks and the Walsh’s, nowdays? [sic] Don’t forget to give them my regards and a hello. I finally did hear from Ollie and I nearly had a fit. It was the first time since I left the Gap. Maybe, by now, the Army may have him a drilling. Ha! Ha! Roy is not with us so I wouldn’t know where he is. The last I saw of him was in England. Hope you got my other letters and don’t forget to send me some pictures of yourself. It won’t be long now till I have in six months overseas. How time does fly. [Page 2 - front] I’d like to tell you where we are and what we are doing, but for military reasons I can’t. I’m not going around the U.S.O. Clubs, etc., either. I forgot to mention that I got a lot of gum from my brother at college. I want you to thank Mary G. for the gift she sent. I’ll sure have a lot of use for the other things that you sent me. Helen is back on the farm and the way she writes, it must be swell for her. How’s my little gal “Beasie.” Haven’t heard from her in a long while. She don’t even tell me about school or her work. I’m still mad at Gloria, yet. Ha! Ha! Is there much snow in Ash. this year? [Page 2 - back] I’ll bet there’s a lot of sliding [sic] and skiing going on there right now. Well, “Honey,” I haven’t anything more to write so I shall close and write real soon. Yours, With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} �P.S. Thanks for the 2 packages and I shall remember it till I get back to the States. Remember to send me those pictures and I hope they are on the way already. [Envelope front] Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. U.S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE FEB 11 1943 P.M. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. U.S.A. PASSED BY BASE 1107 US ARMY EXAMINER Robert Ostwald 2nd 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/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1943-01-29 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 1943-01-29 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 29, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 29, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated February 11, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon receiving her packages the previous night, sharing his gratitude for the great boost in morale and the V-mails she wrote to him back in December. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Africa, North V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/52d37bf4157c1d2cf443db3462900876.pdf 143f9a20e1670f4164f7217643ac31f6 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/085e6ed8be371ae7b5a43d88998cfb24.pdf 45846a9ed23b5bb9e1f1ef6f619f9c80 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-29] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 1 FEB 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 29, 1944. (Date) Hello “Sweets,” Here it is Saturday nite [sic] and nothing much to do. I’d sure like to be there with you but my thoughts are anyway. I did my weekly wash this afternoon and now I’m laying around and passing time. I didn’t get any mail tonite [sic] either so I don’t know what to write. I’ve re-read a few letters of yours that I managed to save to read when I don’t hear from you. I think that I’ve answered your questions or most of them. I plan to go to church in town again tomorrow. Remember when I used to go with you? I also, often think of the times we were together and as usual wish to be with you. I have not heard from or seen Roy in ages and was wondering how he is getting along. Do you hear from Carolyn? Well, “Darling,” I will have to close again with all of my love for you. Yours always, With Loads of Kisses “Joe” �P.S. Write real soon. {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 10 2:30 AM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-29 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 1944-01-29 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 29, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 29, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 10, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a Saturday night while wishing they were together and reminiscing about their previous times going to church together in anticipation for the service in town the following morning. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Church services Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c2599d584d30ea9faf9b92e49065a5e1.pdf aea9fdc2c11ffba653d4915a043e10db PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5be1ddf56fc0fff356e29a910a455263.pdf 8594609237338181e655e0ee53275dcd PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-01-03] [Page 1] January 3, 1943 North Africa Dear Agnes, Rec’d your V-mail letter dated Nove. 16th and was glad to hear from you. I’m fine and well as usual and hope you are the same. I suppose by now that you know that I am in North Africa. My folks sure were surprised to get my letter stating that I am here. How is your Dad making out with drilling the boys at College? I sure chuckled some about him giving me instructions for a promotion. You can tell him, I may be one of his superiors someday and then give him a lot of orders. Ha! Ha! How is the rest of the family getting along? [Page 2] I received a couple of letters from home and one from Helen while she was visiting at home. Has Ollie written to you? Ha! Ha! I’ll bet not. I’ve been overseas 5 months now and to me, it really seems like it was yesterday. Well “Honey,” I shall close and in the meantime be thinking of you. Write real soon. Yours, With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. I still miss you and think of you often. [Envelope front] Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. U.S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE JAN 7 A.M. 1943 A.P.O. �Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. U.S.A. PASSED BY US 11102 ARMY EXAMINER Robert Ostwald 2nd 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/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1943-01-03 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 1943-01-03 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 3, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 3, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated January 7, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa, noting his family's surprise in hearing that news, and his own feelings after five months of being stationed overseas. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Africa, North 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/fd2c8f7f73f73518b616b42e22065571.pdf ce5040be10585c069200c1db7ddbdd6d PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/07af5b3a775e135af8cc242a2fe60713.pdf 0cf254d992ced913b81f37cd140f31ea PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-30] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 2 FEB 1944 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Jan. 30, 1944. (Date) Hello “Darling,” Went to church again today and enjoyed it very much. I’m fine as usual and hope you are the same. I love you as much as ever “Darling” and still miss you. Didn’t get any mail again today, so I hope to get some tomorrow. How is everything in general with you “Sweets”? Did you get another raise in pay? How is Venna and the rest getting along? I haven’t done much today but to sleep some when I got back from church. If, I don’t hear from someone soon, I won’t know or have anything to write. I managed to write once a day since the 8th of Jan. and hope you get all of my mail. Well “Darling” I can’t think of anything else to write so I shall close. Write real soon. Yours always, With Lots of Love “Joe” P.S. Where’s them imprints you promised? �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FEB 9 [?] PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-01-30 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 1944-01-30 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 30, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 30, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 9, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes with the news for the day including how he attended the church service in town and how he had managed to write once a day since the 8th of January. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a8994b7da9c2ebedc1aa039bb0a76b3d.pdf 1d4c039d50900be05a578d32233d52c9 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/12e874965692be19cf2e0a0c52f8230e.pdf 3ce45ac607e410f6adadb2593fec1231 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-01-05] [Page 1] Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. #1 Fort Devens, Mass. January 5, 1942 Dear Agnes, Got back to camp O.K. and very sleepy at that. The rumor is that we are going to leave Thursday. If I get the chance, I will come up but I cannot promise. Carolyn’s mother has the impression that you made me stay at your house and wouldn’t let me visit them. How do you like that? Roy must have talked quite a lot and I could kick his teeth in. Well, how did you make out with your Oral topic? I’ll bet a quarter you didn’t go to [Page 2] school today. Is that nice!! Our address has changed again from the one I gave you, so I’ll write the new one at the end of this letter. I am sending you the dollar, so when you get the pictures you can send them to my home. Now, don’t write a flattering letter to my brother or I’ll get pretty mad. Ha! Ha! We are having the usual training to brush up on what we had forgotten and I must say that I know most of it. [Maybe I’m bragging] Boy, Roy sure tries to make himself big around Carolyn’s, but here its a different story. It sure makes me laugh. Did you get enough sleep Sunday nite [sic]? If you didn’t, [Page 3] it’s your own fault. I’m pretty tired myself at present and I’m going to bed early tonite [sic]. Believe it or not. Well, I shall close although this is a short letter, yet I haven’t much to write. Give the folks my regards and tell them, I think they’re tops. So long and write soon. �As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Don’t lose that receipt. Address Pvt. Joe Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. #1 Fort Devens, Mass. [Envelope front] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. [Envelope back] Pvt. Joe Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. #1 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/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1942-01-05 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 1942-01-05 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 5, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 5, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated January 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after returning back to camp at Fort Devens, providing her with his latest address and discussing his confidence in their usual training activities. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence 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