Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 19, 1944
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
Love letters
Motion pictures--1940-1950
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 19, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 22, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing his latest news including going to see a double feature at the movie theater downtown and receiving birthday mail from his family back home in the United States.
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, March 15, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 15, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 17, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her lovely birthday card including a new photograph and a lock of her hair. He continues to describe his great affection for her and how her letters boost his morale while stationed overseas in England.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 8, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 8, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 11, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England expressing his love for her and his good mood in knowing she is waiting for him back home in Michigan.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 7, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 7, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 9, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes of his excitement in receiving three of Agnes' letters that day, wishing they could have been together for his birthday, and sharing the news that his siblings plan to visit her in Grand Rapids.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 5, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 5, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 7, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England on the day before his birthday, sharing how much he wishes they could be together and the latest news on their friend Roy's wedding.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 4, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 4, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 7, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes many pages to Agnes sharing his most recent news including how happy he was to finally receive her letter dated February 14th, in addition to the package of writing supplies she sent to him. He also updates her on the most recent double feature he saw including the films "The Squeaker" and "Sunset Serenade."
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 27, 1944
Church services
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 27, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 1, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England as he approaches his 25th birthday, 7 years her elder, and missing her as much as ever while stationed overseas.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 25, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 25, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 26, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news of his parents' new house and their upcoming move, in addition to the news of their friend Roy's upcoming wedding in England.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 23, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 23, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 28, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in England and discusses the photos from her visit with his family in Michigan, noticing how tall she looks in comparison with his short stature.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 22, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 22, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 26, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after seeing the film "Seven Sweethearts," which is set in Holland, Michigan and shares how he wishes they were able to see it together.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 20, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 20, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 24, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a beautiful Sunday in England and wishes they were together sharing their stories in person.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 19, 1944
Valentine’s Day
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 19, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 24, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England after receiving her Valentine in the mail in addition to letters from his siblings expressing their hopes to meet her one day.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 18, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 18, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa February 29, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while feeling under the weather with a head cold in England and shares the good news that he had been appointed to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 17, 1944
Lipstick
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 17, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 21, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in England and with an upcoming birthday, which he hopes to not spend in a foxhole. He also mentions his appreciation for the lipstick kisses Agnes includes with her letters and how his sister, Helen, is looking forward to meeting her someday.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 16, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 16, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 18, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England inquiring about the new photograph he sent and notifying her of the package of souvenirs he sent back home to Michigan.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 14, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 14, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 17, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a special Valentine's Day letter to Agnes asking her to be his "Darling Valentine" and imagining their future homecoming together.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 13, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 13, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 15, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes with great affection for Agnes after receiving all of her most recent letters on one day and shares his pride for her good work ethic back home.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 12, 1944
Souvenir
England
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 12, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 15, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with a feeling of romance in the air after receiving three V-mails and two letters from her and while enjoying a peaceful Saturday overseas. He also writes of his dreams of returning home and sweeping Agnes off her feet in Grand Rapids, in addition to his plans to send her souvenirs from England.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 10, 1944
Sea wolf (Motion picture)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 10, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 15, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England sharing how he recently saw the film "The Sea Wolf" for the second time and asking her to be his Valentine in anticipation for St. Valentine's Day. Joe also opens up to her about his experience overseas losing friends and how his faith has gotten him through many hard times.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 9, 1944
V-mail
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 9, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 19, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the titles of movies he had recently seen and how he hopes she will write to him with a list of popular songs while he is overseas without a radio.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 8, 1944
V-Mail
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 8, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 18, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Anges while awaiting another letter from her, sharing how he wrote her a long letter the previous night and how he loves her as much as all the stars in the sky.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 7, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 7, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 10, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes many pages to Agnes from England sharing how he has been overseas for 18 months and 5 days and is heavyhearted about the time they have been apart. He also writes about her being his birthday wish for the following month and how he wishes she could be with him on his special day.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 2, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 2, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 11, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving a message from her the previous day, inquiring about how her family are doing and how he hopes to hear from her soon.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 30, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 30, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated February 9, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes with the news for the day including how he attended the church service in town and how he had managed to write once a day since the 8th of January.