Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 30, 1942
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 30, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 30, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while anticipating his Army division's next move and reassures her that he will write as soon as he arrives at their new location.
Olexa, Joseph P.
Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
In Copyright
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 27, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 27, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 28, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sending his well-wishes to her after being sick and the possibilities regarding their corresponding with each other's siblings in the future.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 25, 1942
Love letters
Motion pictures--1940-1950
Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 25, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while having an exceptionally good day while thinking of her and discusses various subjects such as the recent movie he saw called, "Sweater Girl," and how he thinks his brother is trying to steal her away from him.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 24, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 24, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 25, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes reassuring her of his eagerness to write and his hopes of her understanding the delays in communication. He also writes of his busy week including doing Guard Duty and being put on Charge of Quarters.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 22, 1942
Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Pa.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 22, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 23, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing how he thinks of her often, especially when on Guard Duty, and how thinking he will be able to see her again soon helps to keep up his morale.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 20, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 20, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 21, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing how it is difficult for him to write long letters when writing each day or upon receiving multiple letters all at once, but he reassures her that he is thinking of her often and wishing they could spend the weekend together. He also writes that he will be on Guard Duty the next day and how he spent the day doing laundry and preparing his uniform among other activities.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 19, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 19, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 20, 1942. In the letter, Joe affectionately writes to Agnes upon receiving a letter and souvenir from her, sharing how she is always on his mind, and his hopes for receiving a pass or a furlough so they can be together again. He also reassures her of his intentions of taking her home to meet his family one day and the big bear hug he will offer upon reuniting.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 18, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 18, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 20, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes lovingly to Agnes of how she remains in his thoughts and how he hopes to be together again, despite him being so far away.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 17, 1942
Furloughs
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 17, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 18, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving three of her latest letters and notes how the heavy flow of mail through New York has an affect on their communication, in addition to his hopes in receiving a furlough so he can get the chance to see her again.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 28, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 28, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes discussing potential arrangements for her to travel to visit him and stay in the nearby Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, while still holding onto hope for his own upcoming furlough.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 12, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 12, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 13 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her most recent letter and pictures and fills her in on his latest news, including the movie he saw that afternoon. He also writes to prepare and reassure her for the weeks ahead when he may not be able to write as often.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 11, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 11, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after a week of hard training and also a week since they were together again at her family home in Massachusetts.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 7, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 7, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes hoping to learn how she's been since they last saw each other and his hopes for the Army to continue their special train routes so he can visit again one day.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 6, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 6, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 7, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after a whirlwind visit together for a few hours and shares the details of his return back to camp in Pennsylvania.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 25, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 25, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 26, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her latest letter and package, discussing how he will give her a big bear hug upon receiving his furlough someday and how no military information is to be given out moving forward.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 24, 1942
Fort Devens (Mass.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 24, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 24, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes ahead of having a "blackout" at the military reservation that evening and discusses various subjects including his hopes for a furlough and how it would be a miracle to return to Fort Devens.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 19, 1942
Military maneuvers
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 19, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 20, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon arriving in Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in Pennsylvania and discusses how his letters will be censored from then on, in addition to the cooler temperatures up north. He continues to write about his hopes for a furlough and the convenient travel options out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 14, 1942
Fort Benning (Ga.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 14, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 15, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her letters and experiencing a delay in his response due to military maneuvers. He also writes about his upcoming move and hopes of receiving a furlough, and the open-air show that he hopes to attend that evening.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 7, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 7, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 8, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her latest letter and dreaming that it would arrive that day. He also writes about his experience on Guard Duty, the health benefits of Army training, and the recent movie he saw starring Spencer Tracy. Please note, a portion of this letter contains language that is harmful and offensive and should be viewed with awareness and racial and cultural sensitivity.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 6, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 6, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 6, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes during a rare moment of spare time ahead of being on Guard Duty at Fort Benning. He also writes about their training activities and vaccinations, in addition to inquiring about her family and their wellbeing.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 23, 1942
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.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 22, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 22, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated May 24, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon arriving at Fort Benning and shares that they will be staying there for five weeks, in a location so remote that the nearest town is 17 miles away.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 16, 1942
Camp Blanding (Fla.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 16, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 17, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while worrying about her letters seeming downhearted on his behalf and encourages her to not worry about the future. He also writes of their upcoming move to Fort Benning, Georgia for a few months and encourages her to take a furlough to visit him at his new location.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 14, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 14, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 14, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while on "Charge of Quarters" and hopes that she still has her fingers crossed regarding his potential furlough in June. He also writes of the 44 new men that joined their company and the Sergeants relocating due to new outfits being made, in anticipation for their being sent into action in the upcoming weeks.