490 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a8c1cd5549c74948fcf1d8e74f71cd00.pdf 4bfd5f1b2378d182cb5378f282ce84c7 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d6a7ed2b8ad74620dd6d5df0c2e0bcf9.pdf e2ad7eedd855a9fa1bae9f67e17c3c08 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-05-22] [Page 1] North Africa May 22, 1943. Dear Agnes, Just a few lines to let you know that I’m thinking of you and often. I’ve still got my fingers crossed of going back to the states for a rest. Things don’t look so good on the subject but I’ve got my hopes. Well, Honey, what have you been doing? I have been to Oran and expect to go again. I’m trying to get you a good souvenir but as yet I’ve had no luck. We aren’t doing much but resting at present and [Page 2] what’s in store for us to do is a military secret, even I don’t know. I have sent you a small German picture in my other letter. Hope you get it. I saw a couple of movies so far. One is The Great Mrs. Holliday and the other I can’t remember the name. Don Ameche and Joan Bennet starred in it. I go over to see Roy now and then for it isn’t very far from here. He’s kinda lazy about coming over to see me though. I guess he is going [?] today. [Page 3] I’m undecided as yet whether to go or not. We got paid yesterday so there’s going to be a lot of doggies in town. How are your folks and the rest? Don’t forget to give them my cheerie “hello.” You’ll have to excuse the pencil for I was just too lazy to fill my pen. Ain’t I awful? I got two Vmails from my brother Johnny. I hear from him quite often now. I expect to hear from home soon and may at mail call this morning. [Page 4] Well “sweets,” I haven’t much more to write about so I shall close. Write real soon. Yours With Lots of Love Joe {signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. U. S. Army �{Postmark} U.S. ARMY [ “POSTAL SERVICE” missing due to top right corner of envelope being torn] Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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 1943-05-22 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 22, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 22, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and discusses the most recent movies he has seen including "The Amazing Mrs. Holliday" and another starring Don Ameche and Joan Bennett. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Africa, North Motion pictures--1940-1950 Ameche, Don Bennett, Joan, 1910-1990 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/ad349c2469dbe44fd4a35c57617fdc5b.pdf 0dc49788e0df6924e031d962ca183a7a PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f1bb1471ba7c36e049fc8687484d7213.pdf 45a915ed3b123ab8b42b6284423a2430 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-23] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA Co. “L,” 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Fort Benning, Georgia May 23, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter today and writing again even though I had written yesterday. So, my young lady was getting mad because she didn’t hear from me on the exact day. “That’s somethin.” [?] Ha Ha! I don’t know where you got the idea I have it pretty soft. I have to do a lot besides having a squad of 11 men. When I was on Charge of Quarters it was easy but that’s only for a day. While I’m on maneuvers I’ll be a lucky man to have a little of time to write. [sic] Anyway, you think I have loads of time to write so I won’t explain. It probably will be quite a long while before we will be able to get a furlough, but when we do I’ll try to be the first one. I probably won’t stick my nose out of camp, except on maneuvers, while we are here. If I did want to go it will be an awful long walk and at that [Page 2] I’m not that anxious. Young lady if you feel like going out, you can and after all, it’s none of my business. I don’t want you to feel that way, “sweetness,” for I’m just another guy. I don’t want you to feel hurt, either. I should be jealous but I’m not and blame it to my nature. I don’t hold no grudge against it, at any time. [sic] Lots of things in the Army happens to men, while we are at war and I don’t want to see you being sorrow[ful] for something that will be hard to forget. [sic] I’m still as mean as ever, ain’t I? I’m going to get mad at Gloria again if she don’t hurry up and write to me. Wait till I get my hands on the soldier who through [sic] his address to her? Ha! Ha! Anyway, she’s pretty lazy for writing letters so I won’t worry. Ha! Ha! �Have you decided to take a furlough to come here to see me, yet? “I’ll bet ya don’t come.” Ha! Ha! I’m going swimming after I write this letter. We have a lake about a mile and a half from here. Joseph is a little better on your letter heading but “Joe is the best.” Ha! Ha! [Page 3] {Stationary letterhead} CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA The ground is mighty hard to sleep on since we aren’t used to this hilly country. I sleep on 3 hills at a time. In the morning, I call a doctor to get me out of the “kinks.” Ha! Ha! Wish you’d send your bed down, but you’re too hard hearted to do that. Ha! Ha! How is your mother’s garden? Has she gotten everything planted? I’ll be around after the work is all done and everything ready to eat. Ha! Ha! I didn’t see much of Roy lately, but when he comes around, I’ll give him your regards. Your curly-cues, “Sweetness,” are terrible, but a little more of practice will do the trick. [sic] Ha! Ha! I got some Sunday School stories from Torrie’s [?] sister and if you hadn’t told me she was going to send them it would of made me curious. [sic] [Page 4] Did you hear from my brother yet? I told you he was lazy. Ha! Ha! I’m glad that I’m not that lazy. I didn’t buy any writing paper as yet, so I’m around borrowing it, till we can get some. [sic] Well, “Sugar,” I shall close and don’t forget to write real soon. Sincerely Yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} {with hand drawn arrow pointing to it with the word “Perfect”} P.S. You owe me a lot of mail now young lady. Don’t you? [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Fort Benning, Georgia �{Postmark} COLUMBUS, G.A. MAY 23 8:30 PM 1942 FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-23 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1942-05-23 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 23, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 23, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated May 23, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while reasuring her of his responsibilities at Fort Benning, including being on Charge of Quarters and maneuvers when he has little time to write, and his down time spent swimming at a nearby lake. He also writes of the furlough he hopes to be able to take and his encouragement over Agnes taking one of her own. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Fort Benning (Ga.) Furloughs Military maneuvers Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/035ab2fa7cd97075eabae127214e8d8a.pdf f8497fbfec6b237733fc972cc47617a6 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3db5bbb270ee45f7e5274f5e36c8fece.pdf c1f1d2748050d9c3ae10b72ce7cc33d9 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-05-24] [Page 1] North Africa May 24, 1943. Hello Sweets, Here I am again with another batch of scribbling. I haven’t rec’d any mail at all for four days now. We are now starting on our drills and so forth, so now we’ll be busy. I still haven’t lost hope of going home so don’t forget to keep your fingers crossed. I got the Easter egg my sister Helen sent to me. I must admit it sure did taste good. I plan to write later on and let her know I got it. Ray came over to see me yesterday and [Page 2] I nearly fell over from surprise. We went to the show which was held in the field. The name of it was “The Sea Hawk.” The nite [sic] before I was fortunate enough to see two pictures. The first one was “The Flying Tigers” and the second “A Major and a Minor.” They all were swell pictures. How is the weather over there? We sure do sweat here. I’d hate to think of the coming months. The mosquitoes bother us at nite and they buzz like dive bombers. So it isn’t so bad? I just wrote to my folks [Page 3] and I hope to receive some mail from them soon. What have you been doing which may be of interest lately? I still miss you as much as ever. I hope that when we do get back that we go to Devens. Don’t you? I hear that the WAAC’s are stationed there now. How is your dad making out with the Home Guard? I suppose he is wondering how I lived through this campaign. Well I did and I sure thank the Lord for his protection. I had many a narrow shaves and I don’t like [Page 4] to boast. Well “Honey,” I shall close and don’t forget to give my regards to everyone. How’s my gal Beasie? I’ll sure get mad at her if she don’t hurry up and write. Write real soon. Yours With Lots of Love Joe {Signature Accent Mark} �P.S. Don’t forget about the pictures I asked for. [Envelope front] Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 MAY 27 1943 A.P.O. U.S. POSTAGE 6¢ VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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 1943-05-24 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 24, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 24, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 27, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and discusses the most recent movies he has seen including ''The Flying Tigers" and "The Major and the Minor." He also expresses gratitude for living through his current campaign overseas and his hope to return to Fort Devens in the United States. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Africa, North Motion pictures--1940-1950 Flying Tigers (Motion picture) 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/45ba10a672130b92b4bbdc49d8a24bf3.pdf 6a52b153767b3944879e680a2e203194 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a3ce156f3ac71e69bebe9313c39a4726.pdf 91c6994e8ca212185f21c08fa933f62f PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-24] [Page 1] England May 24, 1944. Hello “Sugar,” Haven’t much to do at present so I decided to write you another letter. You are always in my thoughts “Darling” and at times, I wish that I were with you to tell you how much I’ve missed you. What a grand day it will be when it comes? Especially when I can be with you and tell you how much “I love you.” I am still very happy to be engaged to you “Darling” and can hardly waite [sic] for the day when we can make all of our plans come true. If you were here with me now I’d squeeze you [Page 2] with all of my might and knip [sic] that nose of yours, just to be a tease. I’d also pull out some of your curls, to have you make them up again. We shall not get any rest as you say, but “Darling,” it will be worth it. Anyway, I’ve got to make up a lot of lost time so I don’t think you would mind or would you? Ha! Ha! It’s swell to think that someday you’ll be my wife and that we shall always be happy, sharing our lives together. Both of us aren’t perfect but we shall get used to each other’s ways then we shall be, won’t we, “Sweets”? I’m anxious to get your answers to my questions I’ve asked you [Page 3] in my other letters and hope those letters get here soon. When I hear from you each time, I think of the days we spent together and it makes me want to be with you. I can’t tell you how much I love you, but I sure can feel it and everything tingles inside of me. I got a letter from Helen today and everything is fine with her. She expects to go up home for my mother and father’s wedding anniversary. I hope that she will be able to see you too when she is there. I suppose you are looking for the rings you like and I shall be very anxious to see them till that time comes. I haven’t rec’d your letter stating that [Page 4] you got the money but Helen said she sent it to you. Just another month and it will be 2 years since I saw you last and it seems like ten. Each day that goes by brings me close to you and that I shall be able to hold you in my arms again. Shall close for this time “Sweets” with loads of hugs and kisses. Yours Always, With All my Love, Joe {Signature accent mark} �{Hand-drawn symbols representing hugs and kisses} PS. If you can send me some blue ink in one of you packages, do so, for I haven’t much ink left? [Envelope front] AFTER 5 DAYS RETURN TO S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 172 MAY 26 1944 A.P.O. VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-24 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 1944-05-24 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 24, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 24, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 26, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England as he is approaching his two year mark of being overseas. He is happily engaged to Agnes, dreaming of the day when they can make their future plans come true, and anxiously awaiting news of the wedding rings she has picked out for the two of them back home in the United States. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Wedding rings Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/07b5e7bc32e2e5126f732d11b5292ba5.pdf 22afe78804e55bef25367dddf5d9d6b8 PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9dc0ef79d7048289baf8c74a884f3ff9.pdf 90ae0dd4985e80166bcf5254cb3361e7 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-26] [Page 1] England May 26, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Rec’d your letter of May 16th and was very pleased to hear you have the rings and I shall always be very anxious to see them. I know I shall like them from your description, so you need not worry none “Darling.” The only disappointing thing now is that I’m not there to put it on your finger and get a sweet kiss from you. I think of you always Darling and love you more as time goes by. I miss you too and the touch of your tender lips pressed closed to mine. Someday I shall be [Page 2] able to do this and squeeze you like I use [sic] to making up all of the lost precious moments being with you. I am very happy to have someone like you, to love, knowing that someday you’ll be my wife and sharing our lives together. I can’t half express how I feel but when I get back “Darling” I shall be able to show you. I did figure the rings would run a little over the amount I sent because of the tax and was very pleased that you told me about it. I doubt nothing of what you write “Darling” and nothing shall spoil our happiness with the both of us feeling the same [Page 3] way. Although this war may keep us apart our thoughts of each other will bring us close together until we shall be and what a grand day that is going to be for us. I want you to be happy and contented always because you mean everything to me. Then some day we shall have a little home of our own and build a small world within it to enjoy. We have so much to plan and do that I can hardly waite [sic] to return and be with you again to complete them. I know the Lord will bless us and help us plan our future and serving him faithfully always. I pray for you every nite [sic] Darling [Page 4] knowing that the Lord will keep you safe for me. The Lord has been with me always and in my hardships of the past, comforting and protecting me from harm. I thank Him for being over here teaching me the way He wants me to live. Not by the dark days of the past, but that of kindness, true faith and serving Him always. In the future days to come, I may have many more hardships but I shall take them in stride knowing that the Lord will always be with me. I look for bright future days with all of the happiness He wants you and I to have. I never cease thanking Him for all He has done and given me and may I ever be a faithful and [Page 5] �loyal Christian soldier in His great and mighty army. I’m not a perfect Christian but I shall be with His divine help. I got a package from Helen today with candy cookies and popcorn and was it ever good. I’m anxious to get your package too “Darling” and the cookies if you’ve made some. Don’t worry about me not liking them because you’ve made them for me. I was just teasing in my other letters and I shall be patient and never want you to be discouraged. I’m still very excited about you having the rings and if you were here with me now, I’d want to hold you in my arms and tell you [Page 6] how much I’m in love. Well if you don’t want me to send you that extra money for the rings I’ll have to think of a way to make that up. Do you have any suggestions? Ha! Ha! Sometime in the future I plan to send you the money for a wedding gown or would you want to waite [sic] till I get back? I’ve got one thousand and fifty dollars including my war bonds saved and I shall keep saving, so that we can have a pretty good start when we are married. I know that you plan to save too and its swell for I want you to have everything you deserve. I saw a “Jeep” today with Gloria’s name on [Page 7] it and was wondering if she turned into one and joined the army. I wouldn’t doubt it none. Ha! Ha! How are your folks? Did you mother get my letter? Don’t forget to give them my regards and that I asked about them. No, “Darling,” I don’t think you’re a showoff by wearing your ring because it’s grand being engaged to you and if anyone envies you, it will please me more. I shall remember to button up that dress or if it is worn out you shall some other one I can button. [sic] What do you think of that? I still haven’t heard from home and I’m very anxious to hear from them. I shall write another letter to my folks tomorrow. [Page 8] I’m surprising myself finding out that I’m on my eighth page. I need a pat on the back. Ha! Ha! I’ve enjoyed your kisses very much “Darling” and even though I can’t send you any, my thoughts are of you getting them, when I bring yours to my lips. Well “Darling” I shall close with all my love to you. Bye “Darling” until I hear from you again. Yours forever, With Loads of hugs and kisses {symbols} “Joe” {Signature accent mark} PS. Have you taken any pictures lately? I haven’t re-read this letter, so don’t forget to excuse the mistakes, will you? �[Envelope front] AFTER 5 DAYS RETURN TO S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE [?] [Postmark partially missing due to stamp removal from top right corner] VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-26 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 1944-05-26 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 26, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 26, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa May 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with excitement after receiving the good news of their wedding rings, wishing he was there to propose to her in person, and holding onto his faith to keep him strong while they are apart. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Wedding rings Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3852f1941bfde98f85ddfd815d8a1320.pdf f87762acf4bb55897921e836a8195053 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a6fa283f62569345b0942e2e6fb1d7db.pdf 9926560c0f7381fc779e14625d755d89 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-27] [Page 1] England May 27, 1944. Hello “Darling,” My thoughts, were of you, all day, today [sic] and how I wished that you could have been here with me. “Darling,” I miss you very, very much and still longing for the day when I shall be with you again. I don’t think that I shall ever let up holding you so close to me. I’m going to shower you with all of the kisses I’ve saved and then chew on your ears a little, just to be a meanie. When that day comes I shall be very tickled and at that [Page 2] I shall not mind. Ha! Ha! You’ve got me this way young lady, so you ought to know what you are in for. Ha! Ha! I thought of a thousand things today all about us and how happy we will be. “Darling” my love for you keeps piling up and if I don’t get to see you soon I’m liable to bust. Won’t that be awful? I’m very happy and contended being engaged to you “Darling’ and shall patiently waite [sic] to get that big engagement kiss I am looking forward to. I’ve re-read your last letter so much about getting the rings that I think I can recite it by heart. Every day that goes by [Page 3] I keep saying, Hope I get a letter from Agnes. [sic] Of course there are days that I’m disappointed but when I do get one it makes up for the days I didn’t get them. Well “Darling” what have you been doing today? Thinking about us? I hope so and if you didn’t, I’ll dig your ribs till you do. I’d like to do it right now because I’m in the mood to tease. Can you stand a little of it? I can! Ha! Ha! Ain’t I awful but remember “Darling,” I’ve been away so long that I just can’t help it. I’m only giving you a small detail of how much I’ve missed you and just waite [sic] till I shall be able to do it. Ha! Ha! [Page 4] I can hardly waite for the day when we can go to so lonely spot [sic] and piece together our future and the happiness we plan to share together. Oh! “Happy Day” when it shall come true!! Don’t you think so? Well “Darling,” I shall close with loads of hugs and kisses from me, for you. Yours forever With Oceans of Love, Joe {Signature accent mark} �PS. I am very anxious to see and wear the ring you got for me. Here’s another clipping for that scrapbook you plan to have. [Envelope front] AFTER 5 DAYS RETURN TO S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE [?] [Postmark partially missing due to stamp removal from top right corner] VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-27 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 1944-05-27 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 27, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 27, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa May 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in England, full of excitement regarding their engagement and the news that Agnes successfully picked out their wedding rings. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Wedding rings Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b36251cbee3bb5df6e32496cf6918a9b.pdf abdeea434de8d1d6c81ff454443cab08 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1987aa78e08f9a461facfcb3ad62a6b2.pdf 83c59fbcf1463cbf180c68c3d01fa909 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-29] [Page 1] England May 29, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Still thinking of you and wondering what you may be doing at this moment. I love you as much as ever “Darling,” and miss you terribly. I can hardly waite [sic] to hold you in my arms again and squeeze you a little to satisfy a little of my desire of being with you again. I just got in from a softball game which we lost although it was a good game. I got pretty sweaty and dirty, so I took a nice shower. Went to church yesterday as usual and we had a swell [Page 2] time singing Hymn’s. I also went to the movie last night and saw a very good picture called “Journey for Margaret”. If you haven’t seen it, make sure you do, if it comes your way. Well “Darling” you shall always be the girl of my dreams and the more I think of you, the deeper you wiggle inside of me. If that keeps up, I shall never have any rest but it will be worthwhile loving a swell girl such as you. Someday I shall be able to tell you this and what a day that will be for the both of us. Gee!! “Darling” I wish I could [Page 3] be with you right now. I’m in the mood right now to chew a little on your ears and knip [sic] your nose. Could you stand a little of my teasing? Hope so because I’ve just knipped [sic] your nose whether you know it or not. Oh!! Happy day when I can knip that real nose of yours. Ain’t I a meanie, though? How are your folks? Don’t forget to give them my best regards, will you? I’m still very anxious to see the rings and in my mind, I can see you wearing them. I still keep taking you with me whenever I go in thoughts and hug every moment I can. [Page 4] I can’t help day dreaming [sic] so I shan’t avoid it especially when it’s about you. You’re to blame for that “Darling,” but I enjoy it an awful lot. Have you heard from my folks as yet? I hope so for I keep telling them to write to you when they’re not busy. I can’t express my feelings about you “Darling” in writing but I shall be able to show you when I get back and that we are together again. Well “Darling,” I shall close and in the mean-time [sic], I shall think about us. Yours forever With Loads of Love, Joe {Signature accent mark} PS. What do you think of this clipping?!!! Ha! Ha! �[Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE MAY 23 [?] 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-29 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 1944-05-29 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 29, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 29, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa May 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after returning indoors from a softball game, reminiscing about the church service and movie he attended the day before entitled "Journey for Margaret." He also writes that Agnes is the girl of his dreams and how he looks forward to the happy day when they are together again. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Motion pictures--1940-1950 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/92461dc21b601b73ed2d1e1a29b37d59.pdf 0add0d165cf860d300da861d440cca52 PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/738f2d99fea961c3dafa554f76286ea0.pdf fb6a180e74025bad474f89e3ed6f983f PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-05-31] [Page 1] England May 31, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Last nite [sic], I received one of your long-expected letters and the picture you sent. You don’t know “Darling” how greatly relieved I am to get this wonderful letter. I love your picture “Darling” and it makes you as lovely as I always thought you to be. Gosh! Sweets it’s wonderful to have all the blues vanish into thin air. If I had you here with me now “Darling,” I’d never stop squeezing you. My thoughts are always of you “Sweets” and I do hope that [Page 2] we will be together again for good. Gee! Honey I’ve been so lonesome for you in the past that at times I could almost cry. Just like a baby, ain’t I but never the less true. [sic] “Darling” when we are married, I want to make you as happy as you’ve made me since I’ve been away. God has gifted me with a wonderful girl and I shall always love you. I know too “Sweets” that it was been just as hard or harder for you when this war separated us. But it hasn’t broken down our love for each other and it never will. [Page 3] I never cease thinking of the day when I shall return to you and more since the war in Europe is over. Golly!! I could hold you ever so tight in my arms till they hurt. I wouldn’t mind either because I’d be the happiest man in the world. I’ve proposed to you so many times that I stopped counting. Maybe when I do get that opportunity, I won’t be able to speak. Anyway, I’ll try hard and I’ve always looked forward in being able to put the ring on your finger. The day we are married I will be a fortunate man to have a lovely wife as [Page 4] you. No matter what problems shall arise, we shall see it through and enjoying the happiness of sharing our lives in the days to come. We also have a lot of plans that we need to talk about and how I wish that we could do it now. But it’s best to waite [sic] till we are together. I am still waiting for my name to appear on shipping orders, but it will be a little while yet. As I’ve written before, I have 126 points and hope that I will go home by air. Gosh!! “Darling” we have so much lost time to make up and it’s going [Page 5] to be wonderful. Isn’t it going to be nice to fall asleep in each other’s arms? At least I won’t have to squeeze an old pillow all nite [sic] making believe it’s you. Ha! Ha! I was sorry to hear you rec’d some of yours back and it has happened to a lot of people. I went to the movie last nite and �saw “Impatient Years.” It was a swell picture. I didn’t see the picture, “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Will have to keep it in mind. Yes, it is a great relief for these people over here to know they won’t be bombed anymore. It even seems odd to [Page 6] me to see the lights on the streets and in the houses. Did you see any of the pictures about the Germans Concentration Camps? They are horrifying but true. If we didn’t get into the war when we did, America would have had the same fate. The people back home are mighty fortunate but do not realize it. The weather here in England is very changeable. It rains, shines, clouds and so forth every day. No, I haven’t heard from Roy or seen him since he got married. I don’t think he ever will write. I hope it didn’t scare you too [Page 7] much “Darling” when you saw the Japanese money. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sent it to you. I don’t believe my buddy will be back for our wedding, so I shall have to rely on Amen, Johnny, or Ollie to be the best man. I’m disappointed though not having Andy. How are your folks these days? Don’t forget to give them my best wishes? How is Gloria making out with her boyfriends? Gee! “Honey,” I only hope that I will be home for one of the summer months. We never did spend one together did we? [Page 8] Well, “Precious” I must close for we have an inspection in 15 minutes. Sending all my love and it was wonderful to get one of your lovely letters. “Bye!” Always, Your Future Husband Joe {Hand-drawn symbols representing hugs and kisses and the words “you” and “me”) P.S. Enclosing a clipping. I enjoyed it. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 551 �JUN 1 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-05-31 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 1945-05-31 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 31, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 31, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated June 1, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving one of her "long-expected letters" and a photograph with great relief. He writes of his great love for Agnes, despite the war that separated them, and how he never stops thinking of the day when he will return home to her now that the war in Europe is finally over. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Motion pictures--1940-1950 Concentration camps 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/c6de3df58e95801c79ea3090739d81e7.pdf b4cf3282c18432a701334711421c32ba PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6dfba9df5c7dd417ccf9f1b74b254d7e.pdf 62d415f75503bc1b3376cd68b50016f4 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-04] [Page 1] England May 4, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Thought of you all day today which isn’t unusual and thought, I’d write to the best girl I have back in the States. Well “Darling,” have you been thinking of us? If you didn’t, you’re still a meanie? Ha! Ha! I still miss you as much as ever, someday we’ll be together and then I shall be able to tell you all about it. I’m just in the mood to be a tease and if I were there now, I’d put all of my threats to good use. Ha! Ha! I got a letter from Ollie’s girlfriend today. She writes interesting letters, too, even if I haven’t met her personally. She also states that she would like to meet you too. Hope she will someday. Ollie sent her [Page 2] some flowers for Easter and I’ll wring his neck if he forgot to send you the ones I told him too. I’m still waiting patiently for your answer of getting engaged and the one from your folks. I’m very happy and contented just to write and ask to be engaged but would be, more so, if I were there. Hope it has made you as happy as it did me? I still haven’t seen Roy, so I don’t know how he is. Seems to me that he ought to look me up once in a while. Don’t you? I guess my folks are pretty well settled in our new home and hope they will remember to write. How are your folks? Don’t forget to mention that I asked about them, will you? Has Elaine answered my letter? [Page 3] If she did, I haven’t received it as yet. Have you heard from Helen lately? Hope you did. Have you had any luck in finding another pen to send me? I know they’re hard to get, so, don’t feel bad, if you can’t find one. [sic] I love you as much as ever and more everyday “Sweets.” If I stay away much longer, I’m liable to bust with all of it I have stored up, being away from you. That’s bad, ain’t it. Ha! Ha! How is Venna these days? Did she get back to Grand Rapids? I sure do wish you could visit me like she did with her husband. It will be swell though if you could when I’m around there again. I just keep marking the months away over here and they seem like years since I saw you last. What a happy day it will be when [Page 4] we shall be together again. It’s something I look forward to always. We’ll have to be patient though, won’t we? Sometimes I get disgusted and peeved but when I do that, I take out all your pictures and look at them. They really are a big morale builder, for me too. Well “Darling,” I will close for this time with [all] of my love to you. Yours always, With Plenty of ( )’s & x’s �Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. May God bless you and keep you safe for me. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army Free {Signature accent mark} {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 172 MAY 6 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � 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_1944-05-04 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-05-04 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 4, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 4, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 6, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes as he continues to wait patiently for Agnes' answer to his engagement proposal, explaining how much he misses her and how each month that passes by feels like another year they have spent apart from one another. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bd64338b9ba2eee25a1003c246ed119d.pdf a7656af8c625cf130c91e20777fe601c PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bcda8226b5cd3c45f66629b04a588075.pdf d0cfcab99e996b1ab83bd22f26761c7d PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-05-04] [Page 1] England May 4, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Rec’d your lovely letter of Apr. 24th and was very pleased to get it. It’s been almost 3 weeks that I have waited to get it and I must admit my morale was pretty low. I also got three V-mails from Ollie which is surprising. It sure is a relief to know you got all of the money I sent. Now I can destroy the receipts. I also got some very old letters that were sent to me when I was wounded last July. My thoughts are always of you “Darling” and how grand it will be when I shall be with you again. It’s been ages but I shall make up for last time. Ha! Ha! I love you more and more each day. Gosh!! I wish I could squeeze you right now. I could stand a lot of it myself, right now. How about you? Ha! Ha! Very teasing, ain’t I? [sic] [Page 2] I’m still patiently waiting for the go to pack up for my furlough and when it does come I might faint. Ha! Ha! I’ve written three long letters to you last week and I hope you rec’d them already. I’m coming along fine but pretty busy and I shall try to write to you at least twice a week. If I can write more I shall do it. I really miss your letters when I don’t get them and at times it seems as if someone heavy is sitting on my morale. Yes, it was a great shock and surprise to hear of President Roosevelt’s death and at first I didn’t believe it. There was big parade over here the day he was buried. His name will go down in History of Being the Best Leader of all time. The little dog I wrote to you about is gone now and I wish I could have kept him. I’m going [Page 3] to have a nice Fox Terrier or a Cocker Spaniel someday. They’re smart and I like them. I’m glad to know that the papers are putting the pictures of all the things that went on in the Concentration Camps in Germany. Maybe the people will now sit up and take notice. The Germans are Monsters not Human Beings and the German women are just as bad. Whatever the Allies do to them after this is over, will be too good for them. I have no sympathy for them at all. The war news is very good and when this was in Europe is over, we shall show the Japs that we mean business, to live like Human Beings. Helen writes that Gaylord is in Camp Wheeler. Hope he makes the best of the new life he will lead. I wish him luck. Well, “Darling” what have you been doing lately? Working hard as ever I suppose and thinking of me? Gosh!! “Sweets” what [Page 4] are we going to do the first day I arrive? I believe I’ll squeeze you to death then back to life. Think you can stand it? I can. Ha! Ha! How are the folks these days? Don’t forget to give them a Hello for me, will you? Well, I must close for now and write real soon. �Loads of Love & Kisses, Your Future Husband “Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Enclosed is some Japanese invasion money my Buddy sent me. [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 551 MAY 6 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1945-05-04 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-05-04 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 4, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 4, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 6, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her first letter in nearly three weeks in addition to old letters from the time he spent wounded in the hospital. He also writes further on President Roosevelt's death and his experience overseas during that time, while also sharing his thoughts on Germany and concentration camps during the war. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945 Concentration camps 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/095e100da3cab0d4cafa7f257c27c6de.pdf a320b39d46e122cecf3822c360d98985 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9cb4eee96a6c692e26c473d077f79069.pdf cc739dc37085fd3b24f6ad9aa662ce6f PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-05] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} AMERICA FOREVER Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida May, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d your second letter but the package hasn’t arrived as yet. Maybe it became invisible on the way. Ha! Ha! I received a letter today from my brother at college and just got through answering it. So, you don’t like the flattery? My, most women do in a long run. [sic] O.K. no more flattery from me, since you women disapprove of it. I’m shipping that surprise package with this letter. Watch out, when you [Page 2] open it, for there may be a rattle snake in it. How’s my little Chick a dee, Gloria, getting along nowdays. [sic] Well, I’m still mad at her for not writing. Roy just yelled to give his regards to all of you. Claypool is back from the Bakeries School. [?] His only regret is that he starved while being there. He’s got a lot of pictures of these southern belles and they’re all good looking. He gave me a big build up to one of them without me knowing it and she wants to meet me. Well, I haven’t the time since my invisible beach is in progress. [Page 3] I ran out of my other writing paper so, I’ll use the few sheets I have left that you sent me. I guess you must have spring-fever. The stamps of your last two letters were upside-down and on one the date April 29, 1941. What next? So, you found my misspelled word. I just did that to see if you were looking for something like that. Now, young lady, you’ve got a war started, so watch your spelling. I’ve even misspelled Corporal in my last letter. Leave it to the women to find something wrong. The time the snowstorm up there in Mass. about the 1st of April was �[Page 4] caused by me sneezing like the blazes when I had my cold. Your name is engraved on the back of your bracelet or did you find that out. I ought to get a big hug for that gift but since you are so hard hearted, I’ll overlook it. Ha! Ha! Will close and write when you can. As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Don’t forget to give the folks my regards. Will you. [sic] Also, to go swimming when I get there. {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida U.S. Army {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING MAY 5 11 AM 1942 FLA. FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-05 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 1942-05-05 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 5, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 5, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 5, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after nearly running out of writing paper and fill sher in on the latest news, such as the letter he received from his brother at college and the special engraving on the bracelet he sent her. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) 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/c5cd45f2a2213a07cbcf4d5b75e6850a.pdf b85d1f528dc36f56eab621f014b1b6e7 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/471d7748285dc181568bdb9dcec74a24.pdf 86b31be41b9fd1ec3aafbe8a82d6b156 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-07] [Page 1] England May 7, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Rec’d your two letters dated April 25th and 28th. It has made me very happy “Darling” to hear that you accepted my proposal. It didn’t take them very long to reach me, either, and I was surprised to hear my letters reached you in so little a time. You’re [sic] folks are swell, “Darling,” and there is none better. I couldn’t half express my appreciation either and they’re tops. I love you as much as always “Sweets” and just longing for the day when we can be together and what a grand day it will be. I hope that I can make you as happy as I want you to be and live an enjoyable life together no matter what we [Page 2] have to face in our future. I was very much pleased too that you want a plain wedding ring. To me, they look much nicer. We have so much to plan together that I don’t know how to begin. I’d much rather be there to plan everything with you but it may be much easier for us if we started now and polish it off carefully when I get back. Don’t you think so? It’s swell, to be engaged to you “Darling” and I wish I could prove it right now. The more I write of our engagement and future plans, everything tingles inside making me wish I could squeeze you with all of my might. I won’t be that mean for I may break more than one rib. Ha! Ha! [Page 3] I shall be very patient with you “Darling” and when we get used to each other’s ways, nothing will stand in our way to be happy and contented. My ring size is eleven (11) and believe me “Sweets” I shall always remember it, because it’s from a swell girl like you. What kind of a wedding would you like to have? This will be one of our important plans to figure out now. Don’t you think so? We can’t plan the exact day of the wedding, as yet, till I return but if you have an idea let me know. I got a V-mail from Helen also and she’s still very anxious to meet you. I’m going to tell her to send you the money for the rings. I know my folks will approve of our engagement for they always mention something of you in their letters. So you needn’t worry about [Page 4] that “Sweets.” Ollie was down there with his girl-friend. [sic] By the way they write, they had a swell time together. I only wish that I could be with you too “Darling” and they’re lucky! I went to the church services today and of all people I saw Roy. I told him that we were engaged but he didn’t believe it. I told him of what you wrote and he said that he told Carolyn to tell them what you had written to me. Beats me why they want it to go out that way. I’m going over for his wedding picture this afternoon and will send it to you. Will close for this time and don’t forget to �give my best regards to your mother and Dad. Will send a request for the cookies tomorrow when I write. Yours forever, With Loads of hugs and kisses {symbols} Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Write real soon, won’t you? [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 172 MAY 8 1944 A.P.O. U.S. POSTAGE 6¢ VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 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_1944-05-07 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 1944-05-07 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 7, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 7, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 8, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with great excitement after receiving her letter accepting his engagement proposal, dreaming of their future wedding and life together. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Weddings--Planning Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/24e038224d8dc9ee47917ef983fb252c.pdf 513c45635094fbe48804cf25928b7094 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9ff44f29c4ddbeb305f5a8e2cb129be1.pdf 6f735829f192a5b64d60f2dd48a8f7ac PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-08] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} U.S. ARMY Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. May 8, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d your two letters and was glad to here from you. [sic] I suppose you [text strikethrough] {were} really got a surprise when you opened that package. How do you like it? If the bracelet and locket tarnish then I’ll know that I got a jipping. [sic] I sure was surprised to get that note from Gloria. In fact, it was the shortest letter I ever did get. Must be that she’s awful lazy not to write more. Today, we had a parade and for the rest of the day, we got ready for tomorrow’s inspection. We just got thru [sic] cleaning and scrubbing our tent floor. Right now, we could eat from [text strikethrough] it. Well, it finally happened. My brother Ollie wrote to me and [Page 2] I nearly took a fit from fright to get it. [sic] Yes, I am graduated from doing K.P. or work on details. I [text strikethrough] now have to take charge of quarters, be in charge of work details and last of all be corporal on guard duty. So, Roy is in Australia, boy I sure had to laugh at that. Where did you get the fancy writing paper? It is nice. I’m nearly out of writing material myself and will get some tomorrow. From your statement of being afraid of water, I’ve come to the conclusion that when I get there, I’ll have to go swimming by myself. That’s going to make me mad. You state that you don’t get mad at me. Well, I’m not writing anything but doing a little thinking. Can you remember the incidents? Ha! Ha! My brother Ollie said he hadn’t heard from you but admitted he owed you a letter. [Page 3] {Stationary letterhead} �U.S. ARMY Young lady, you’re still trying to flatter me and I will be just as mean as you are and not believe it to get even. Ha! Ha! Incidentally, Roy is still the same old “Larkinvar” [?] and don’t know what to do. [sic] I told him about you stating I was the best chubby soldier in the Army, and he said you were getting silly. What do you think of that? I don’t know where you find a lot to write in your letters. I can’t and at that you tell me about my short letters. We are cutting cards in the platoon to see who goes on furlough. Two from each platoon can go, just as soon as the others get back. Most of the boys want to go in June, just the same as I, so don’t forget to keep your fingers crossed. I’ll try for it in the first week of June. [Page 4] I see where you aren’t putting the curly-cue under your name. [sic] Did you get disgusted trying to make a good one? Ha! Ha! It rained today and we are sure glad it did. Anyway, it’s cool and the dust has settled, so that we won’t eat it for a day or so. Well, I shall close and don’t forget to keep your fingers crossed. Give the folks my hello. As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. I’ve still got 2 books of stamps, so I’m sending you one of them. [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida U.S. Army {Postmark} �CAMP BLANDING MAY 9 3 PM 1942 FLA. FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-08 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1942-05-08 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 8, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 8, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 9, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her letters and shares his excitement over Agnes receiving the gifts he sent her and his potential upcoming furlough, in addition to the day's events including a parade and preparing for inspection. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) Furloughs 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/5a918e444eb4e2b27044f4389c966131.pdf 75a4470e2e16f6e9bece9f2513fb9755 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ed30267bb8172d0fd5a39962ef1f1d47.pdf 285e4ddb4da923c981d43a6dabcc0c19 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-08] [Page 1] England May 8, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Here I am again today and my thoughts were of you since it’s been lovely out. Anyway, it’s one thing that I can’t forget because you keep wiggling deeper and deeper inside of me. I still miss you as much as ever “Sweets” and love you more as the days go by. I sure would like to chew on your ears right now and that would suit me to a “T.” Got another V-mail from Helen stating that she has heard from you and sends her congratulations to the both of us. Well, “Sweets” what have you been up to today? Out window shopping? You should be because it’s your [Page 2] day off. Went to the movies last night to see Thunder Bird which was pretty good. Movies are a great past time for me, since I’m so far away from you and young lady when I do see you again, you’ll never have any rest. Ain’t I awful mean? You’d better let me in on some of your secrets pretty soon oughtn’t you? I gave you most of mine and if you don’t I knip [sic] that Dutch nose of yours till you do. Scared any? Ha! Ha! I have not rec’d your mother’s letter as yet but expect it any day now. You can bet your boots that I’m a very happy and fortunate man of your folks approval and being engaged to a swell girl like you. I saw Roy again last nite and expect to get that picture he promised me when [Page 3] he comes over to see me. I guess he still hasn’t gotten over the surprise I gave him yesterday. I shall send another request for the cookies today and here’s hoping you have some on the way from my last request. Or haven’t you rec’d that letter I sent in as yet. Helen will send you the amount of money I mentioned and if the rings run over that amount, I’ll have Helen send you the balance. I’m sending a few more clippings that I’ve enjoyed and hope they amuse you too. Well how are your folks? Don’t forget to give them my best regards, will you? How is Venna? Is she back from visiting her husband? If I don’t get any letters from you soon, I’m afraid that I [Page 4] shall run out of things to write so I’ve got my fingers crossed and hope to get some soon. Well, “Darling” I shall close for this time and write real soon. Yours forever, With Loads of Love, Joe {Signature accent mark} �[Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 172 MAY 10 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-08 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-05-08 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 8, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 8, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 10, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while thinking of her on a lovely day in England, sharing the news of his sister Helen's excitement over their engagement and her willingness to help them purchase their wedding rings. He also writes of his most recent visit to the movie theater to see the film "Thunder Bird" and how going to the movies is a great pastime for him while he is so far away from Agnes. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Motion pictures--1940-1950 Weddings--Planning Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9275a672d2de8ad65d9c6acb7d74ef65.pdf 96bdb95c071a9b463cd6ec370541ae9d PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/16299981b134d8dc471101c1db409620.pdf a900d8482fca540f24953f97d55381ef PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-01] [Page 1] Somewhere in Germany [text strikethrough] {Oct.} Nove. 1, 1944. “My Dearest Darling,” Rec’d your letter of October 18th and was so pleased to hear from you again. My thoughts are always of you “Darling” and I get so lonesome for you when I do that, I could reach out and pull you into my arms. I believe when I get back that I’ll just squeeze you to death. Ain’t I terrible. If we could only be together for a while to piece our future, it would be grand. I have nothing much to offer you, but we can work from the bottom up, living an enjoyable life together. Don’t you think so? You bet, I can remember the weekends I used to spend with you and they were wonderful. My only disappointment now is that we are so far apart, but when I return, we shall be happy. I’ve still got my fingers crossed on getting your packages and I’m pretty hungry right now. Those swell cookies you make will do the trick in drowning out this appetite of mine. I shan’t worry none because I know you’ll be a wonderful cook and a very good wife. Gee! I’m a fortunate man. I’m not the best in the world “Darling” and hope to make you very happy. I just can’t [Page 2] wait to start our little home, can you? When I go to that School [sic], I sure will finish it as soon as I can, because I’ve been away from you so long and don’t want to do it again. Gee! Sweets, I could stand some of your hugs right now or at any time. I ain’t got no room for anyone else except you, so I’ll just have to be patient and hope I shan’t bust before I can give all of my love to you. It’s going to be swell to bite your ears and pull your curls once again because I’ve missed you so much. Hope you can stand it because I can. Ha! Ha! I’m very anxious to be able to put the engagement ring on your finger and say “Darling, will you marry me?” I think it’s going to be swell, don’t you? Well, “Precious” I will close and write real soon. Give my regards to your folks for me. Yours Always With Plenty of Hugs “Joe” {Signature accent mark} PS. Would you send me some Air-Mail stamps in one of your letters? If not, all of my letters will go on a banana boat and that won’t do, will it. Ha! Ha! I had to borrow this envelope. [Envelope front] �S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 NOV 6 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20637 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-01 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 1, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 1, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 6, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in Germany and shares his feelings regarding their future together, dreaming of the day he can put a ring on her finger and properly propose to the woman that he loves so dearly. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Wedding rings Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4472052d9456a1d1eb2068178e5c554e.pdf 6121491d1c03e50d9ca02640b8f54dae PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a95c874a3c85b31dcb029d34de81faa0.pdf 65e02898ccf0169ce1342653ea372b97 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-10] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. From Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. New York, N.Y. Nove. 10, 1943 (Date) Hello Darling, Rec’d two of your letters dated the last of September and was very pleased to hear from you. I’m fine as usual “Sweets” and hope you are the same. I still miss you as much as ever and keep thinking of you all of the time. I am not in Sicily anymore and when we are allowed to tell you where we are, then I shall do so. So you are a busy girl from what you have written. Well don’t forget I still love you. I hope by now that you got the package I sent. I have not as yet received the one you sent to me. I also heard from Helen. Will close “Sweets.” Write soon. Yours always With Lots of Love Joe P.S. My regards to the folks. {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] �WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DEC 5 8 PM 1943 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_1943-11-10 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-11-10 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 10, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 10, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 5, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes to express his gratitude upon receiving two of her letters and to share the news that he is no longer stationed in Sicily. 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/6a9019996e71f04a852c3877efe36fb5.pdf 0c0ebe3fd9ccdae64ab30aabe6d1cec7 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/04cc63336934fe68aba0a16b730d4495.pdf c6742838b8db686f046369db181473a6 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-11] [Page 1] Nove. 11, 1943. Hello Darling, Rec’d some more of your mail and I’m very pleased to get them. I read them so much I think at times I may read the words right off of the paper. Ha! Ha! [sic] I sure did get a lot of mail from everyone and all I’ve got to do know [sic] is to answer them. I have written to my brother Ollie about asking you down to meet my folks and I hope “Sweets” that you will go to see them. Don’t think you will be a stranger for we don’t know of any and I know that you will enjoy the visit. Helen has written to say she got the hankies I sent her so I’m taking it for granted [?] that you rec’d [Page 2] the ones I sent you. I did intend to send you a Bedspread [sic] “Sweets” but I couldn’t get a box or paper for one. I hope that you will believe me and maybe some other time I may get a chance to get one for you. I haven’t forgotten you for one moment, “Sweets” and love you as much as ever. Did you get that job you wrote about? Do you like it? Yes, I had to print your address large for there was a complaint stating that addresses were hard to read when written small. I have seen Roy off and on and he’s about the same. He sends his regards to you. Don’t worry about the girls out here because they [Page 3] don’t understand our lingo. No you didn’t tell me about your new coat and I’d like to see it providing it isn’t worn out by the time I get back. Ha! Ha! How are your folks these days? You haven’t mentioned anything about them. Don’t forget to give them a Hello for me? I still have that lock of hair you sent me before I left the states and I carry it in my wallet with your pictures. I’d like another lock of your hair because this one I do have is kinda soiled and has seen some hard use. One lock of hair won’t be noticeable and it will make this soldier very contented. Ha! Ha! I want to get you something for X-mas [Page 4] real bad but I can’t go shopping like people do in the states. I’m going to try hard to get you something and it may be late. I haven’t forgotten you at all and I sure did kick myself around and felt bad because I couldn’t and didn’t send you anything for your birthday, X-mas and your graduation. I shall though. Well “Darling” I shall close and write real soon. I still miss you and think of you all of the time. Yours Always, With Lots of Love & Kisses Joe �{Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 NOV 13 1943 A.P.O. U.S. POSTAGE 6¢ VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Michigan. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-11_01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-11-11 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 11, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 11, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 13, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving letters from her and his family, covering subjects such as Agnes' potential visit to meet his family and his special request for another lock of her hair. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Hair--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/ad4c29473ed061c6edeaaf2dc1f5be9f.pdf 057fbd176483227e9c7b58ad12ac2541 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/820c35de90d4e2325a7f65da768b29bf.pdf e94346b9dfd46cbedda0fea299951b4e PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-11_02] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. P. Ostwald [?] To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. From 12016893 Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. New York, N.Y. Nove. 11, 1943 (Date) Hello Deariest [sic], Writing again today and will try to write as often as I can. I hope that you won’t be too busy and forget to write to me. Remember, young lady that I love you more and more each day. I’m still hoping for the day when we shall be together and hope it will be soon. Then my dear you will know whether I’m talking through my hat or mean it. I often wished that you were near so that I could give you a big hug. What do you think of that? I’m still waiting patiently for the pictures you said that you were going to send, so don’t forget to hurry a little before the patience [?] wears off. Ha! Ha! Will close “Darling” and write real soon. Give my regards to your folks and the rest. Yours Always With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DEC 5 8 PM 1943 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_1943-11-11_02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-11-11 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 11, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 11, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 5, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes telling her of his love and affection for her and how he is patiently awaiting the new photographs she is planning to send 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/28358b5aa192810f58fb34d6351ced76.pdf c670f4534a92f705e19a9a138f521755 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2db856d702eb7c2fa20ad56465108cf8.pdf 97fbdb7f0d57639847ddb483ac16a170 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-12] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] No. 632130 {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. From Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. New York, N.Y. Nove. 12, 1943 (Date) Hello Honey, Got some more of your mail which is quite old. No wonder I didn’t hear from you. The mail must have taken a long time to get to me. If you intend to do what you said about that million you were going to save, it has made me happy. Don’t get me wrong “Sweets,” it’s not the money? Ha! Ha! I still miss you and love you as much as ever. If I were to answer all of the mail I got in the past two days, I probably would be writing for a week straight. When I get some envelopes I’m going to let you know what I want you to send me. Right now I have no envelopes or paper. Just V-mails. I hope that you got the 3 small packages I sent you. Well “Darling” I will close and write real soon. “Yours Always” “With Lots of Love” Joe P.S. Give my regards to your folks. �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE NO. 1 NOV 23 8:30 PM 1943 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_1943-11-12 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 1943-11-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 12, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 12, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 23, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes after receiving a few of her letters from an earlier time and informs her that the mail is being delayed after receiving her letters all at once. 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/613c12c58830ee7be3739a7f55096c65.pdf 46e323beab6f5aefc80d342eaa7ba241 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/50bf666c3cdffd49e5773c1e38b99f94.pdf 6abf7377391fdb3f7ba597ea429e8533 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-13] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. New York, N.Y. Nove. 13, 1943. (Date) Hello Sweets, Haven’t rec’d that package you sent in Sept. as yet. I got 4 packages so far from the folks and I’m disappointed about you package of not reaching me. [sic] I’m making good progress in answering my mail and the Censor sure must have a lot of letters to read. I’d hate to have his job. I’m still anxious to hear whether you got the three small packages I sent on to you. I rec’d a good wedding picture of my brother and his wife. She’s really pretty. From her letter she also has a good personality. Well “Darling” I still miss you and love you as much as ever. Wish I could take up that invitation of yours to give you that big hug, but “Uncle Sammy” won’t let me. I have not seen Roy lately so I don’t know how he is. I shall try to write once a day and your mail box will be chuck full. Will close for this time Sweets and write soon. Yours Always With Lots of Love & Kisses Joe P.S. Give my regards to the folks. {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DEC 5 10:30 AM 1943 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_1943-11-13_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 1943-11-13 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 13, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 13, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 5, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes to let her know he hasn't received the package she sent and wonders if she received the three small packages he sent to her with love. 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/ecdd6733c48b3133c909094b0d52786d.pdf 055383322006cec4c5c61c3bea741da4 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/99a83c07cd033dfc9e71311ad0b47669.pdf e6a90edbf5985e2ba4820073f8d4f3e9 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-13_02] [Page 1] Nove. 13, 1943. Hello Darling, I have written you one V-mail already today but writing for I managed to borrow some paper and an envelope. I also got your letter dated Oct. 20. I guess by now that you are used to the work you are doing. Don’t work too hard or collect wooden nickels. Ha! Ha! I said before in one of my letters that I would let you know what I needed. Well, I hope what I am asking for will not be too much trouble for you. I’d like an inexpensive fountain pen set and some assorted hard candy. The pen I did have broke down on [Page 2] me. I was going to have my folks send me it but since you wanted to send me something, I’ll have you get it for me. I still love you as much as ever and that’s putting it mildly. I hope that you have some more pictures of yourself to send me. Anyway in every letter, I say to myself, I hope there’s a picture in it. No Soap [?], though, but I’m not discouraged and still waite [sic] patiently for them. I’m still anxious to hear whether you got the souvenirs I sent you. I know Helen got some of hers and I sent yours the same time. I’m still getting a lot of mail and it’s really swell to [Page 3] set down and read them. Imagine if I did get back I’d sure have a time in figuring who to visit and how long to stay. Well, I shan’t worry about that now for I don’t know when I shall be able to go home. Just a few more days and I’ll have 3 years in the Army. It’s going on 16 months too that I’ve been overseas. From that time on I’ll be a Remainee till the war ends. If I live through this I plan to go to a Deisel school in Chicago. I wanted to go there before I got into the Army. Anyway I always did like to stick my hands in grease working on big motors. After that is done, you can guess the rest. Ha! Ha! Ain’t I mean. [Page 4] I was just thinking that it has been ages since your mother wrote to me. I wonder if she couldn’t drop me a line or two just to keep [?] her arm in good condition. Ha! Ha! Don’t forget to give them a hello for me. Will close “Darling” and write real soon. Yours Always, With Lots of Love & Kisses Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Take this note and the postmarked envelope to show the Postmaster. �[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 {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 NOV 16 1943 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1832 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Michigan. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-13_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 1943-11-13 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 13, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 13, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 16, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes for the second time that day hoping she will send more pictures of herself and reflecting on his time as he approaches the three year mark of being in the Army and sixteen months of being overseas. 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/0e6911484df99db69cc7f70d44073540.pdf fc6b0ee81958727d95aa7b2a6db89434 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ff645648786295ebc55709779c78d722.pdf ff4a32a09c94d241a0a3162a544486ba PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-13] [Page 1] Germany Nove. 13, 1944. “My Dearest Darling,” Rec’d your latest letter of Oct. 31st and was pleased to hear from you. I also got that card you sent from Grand Haven. It sure was sent around and everywhere was a different address it was mailed to. I got paid and have sent you $125 dollars so you can expect it within two or three weeks. I shall send more till you’ve got five hundred dollars. This money is what I save here and Helen gets the rest and puts it in the bank for me. I’m sending you two Belgium notes and a history sheet about our outfit. I plan to send one to Helen, too. Well, “Darling” I’m still in good health as usual and hope you are the same. I still miss you very much and love you more and more as time goes by. I waite [sic] for the day when we shall be together again. I’ll be the happiest man in the world and having a swell girl like you. We have so much to look forward to and I just can’t be patient enough to have a little home of our own. I got a V-mail from Helen also and everything is fine out her way. All she writes about now is about you planning to visit her which she hopes will be real soon. I was glad to hear your mother is improving and of all things you didn’t mention whether the baby was a boy or a girl or even its name. You’re slipping, young lady. Ha! Ha! Well, when I get married, I’d like to have two boys and one girl, of course “Darling” that is for you to decide also. But we still can make our plans, can’t we? I have not as yet rec’d any of your [Page 2] packages “Darling” and I sure hope to get them sometime soon. I sure could go for some of your swell cookies right now, but I’ll have to starve till the cookies arrive. Did you go down to visit Helen? I still would like to know whether or not you got the money I sent to you from the hospital. I hope to get a bushel of mail from you too “Darling” because it’s good for my morale. I don’t want much, do I? Well, “Precious” I will close hoping to hear from you again soon. Yours forever, With Loads of Hugs & Kisses, “Joe” {Signature accent mark} PS. This pen isn’t so hot and I can’t write good with it. When do I write good is better. Ha! Ha! [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. �{Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 NOV 16 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20638 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-11-13 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-13 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 13, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 13, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 16, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news that he received the card she sent from Grand Haven, Michigan and hopes to receive a "bushel of mail" from her to continue improving his morale. He also discusses his dream for future children and well-wishes for Agnes' mother and new baby sibling. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0527f340479a9e6a826120b08dcd2dbc.pdf 5d9c5d038b96db48e7f294f325962c74 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/20a0e99472a4985e21d5f317e607932a.pdf d5c8e65d08a8aad9212a10f4a9b66c79 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-14] [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. Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. Nove. 14, 1943. (Date) Hello Honey, Got two of your latest letters again today and was pleased to hear that you got one of my packages. I’ve been eating too much candy lately and if I don’t stop, I’ll probably will break with pimples. [sic] Went to church this morning and heard a good sermon. Glad to hear that you like your work. My sister Frances works in one too. Those souvenirs you have were carved and shaped out with only a file and I was lucky then to get that. [sic] I put a lot of work in them. I still [text strikethrough] love you as much as ever and think of you often. Will let you know when I get your packages and I hope they get here. Well, “Sweets” I shall close. Give my regards to your folks. Write real, real soon. Yours Always With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] �WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} NEW YORK, N.Y. NOV 23 5-PM 1943 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX � 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_1943-11-14 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-11-14 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 14, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 14, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 23, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to let Agnes know he was pleased to receive two of her letters and the news that she received one of his packages containing souvenirs. 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/7f6a54a3b6bf09c44a03eb848905df02.pdf ad60976956d8c73659404c993343ba33 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a9992f92c2ae1d18244dc9ad199e6754.pdf 01e454ff4c0b62938bdeae9d16417b79 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-11-15] [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} 21 NOV 1943 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. Nove. 15, 1943. (Date) Hello Honey, Got one of your letters dated Oct. 16. I’m spoiled too for I wanted to get to [sic] much mail for just one day. Ha! Ha! I liked the poem very much which was a good one and interesting. I try to answer your questions “Darling” and probably did forget to answer some of them. I shan’t forget to answer your questions, so you can ask all the questions your little “heart” desires and I promise you’ll get results. I still miss you “Sweets” and keep hoping for a break to come so I can get home to see you. I could squeeze you to death but I shan’t be that mean. I’m curious to know what you wanted to write to me about but didn’t. What is it? You certainly did worry about that physical examination. I think somebody fed you a big line. Ha! Ha! I’ve managed to write oftener “Sweets,” so you ought to give me just a tiny bit of credit. Or won’t you? “Meanie!!” Will close “Darling” and remember I love you a little more each day. Write real soon. 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 DEC 5 3 PM 1943 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_1943-11-15 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 1943-11-15 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 15, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 15, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 5, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes while hoping for a break to return home and see 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