1 24 297 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/583c848951739fd51f878926f9e91234.pdf b5d31bd63eb6670b3923bc06bf0deade PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/55ac1cc9624e4f268d0e746a15368d16.pdf b9747b79f298dc3f3538f9f96bc44f89 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-10-24] [Page 1] [Card front] SHHH! Our new Baby’s Asleep! [Page 2] Sometimes we’ll tip-toe ‘round the house Just as quiet as a mouse But then we start to feel so proud We can’t help bragging long and LOUD Because it’s a Boy name Paul Delano who arrived Oct. 20th weighing 9 lbs 4 ½ oz. Mr and Mrs B. Van Der Weide [Envelope front] 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS OCT 24 12 PM 1944 MICH. S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. Both Gen. Hosp. APO#652 12-3-44 � 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_Agnes_1944-10-24 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-10-24 Title A name given to the resource Birth announcement from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, October 24, 1944 Description An account of the resource Birth announcement and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated October 24, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated October 24, 1944. In the card, Agnes announces the birth of her baby brother named Paul who arrived on October 20th, 1944. 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/503f2ac37cb03193bb4e3304e4e23153.pdf 7b05e22c1ef3a7dc25ec7296d37e06dd PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/13ce6182b8bef3c210683f3ddf148b33.pdf a5ca076c61f47523d9c3d55fe160dbf5 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-08-17] [Page 1] August 17, 1944 My dear Joe, Didn’t receive any mail from you today, but am writing to let you know that everything is fine, except that I’m terribly lonesome for you. Sometimes I don’t know to do with myself when I get so lonesome. I think of you all the time sweets and miss you so much. Gloria has gone roller skating with Venna tonight. I can’t roller skate very good so I didn’t go. Can you rink skate at all! I’m going to the beach at Grand Haven this weekend. A couple gals from the store are vacationing down there for a weekend and some of the rest are going to stay with them for the weekend. Elaine and Beatrice and a couple of other girls are sleeping in the {red lipstick imprint} [Page 2] backyard in a tent. Its rainproof, so it won’t be so bad if it rains. Someone asked me today if I got a new bracelet, so “darling” you can see what good care I have taken [text strikethrough] {care} of it. Its over two years ago that you gave it to me. Tomorrow is Friday, a busy day at the store, and I really hate to think of it, if it’s going to be hot. I still love you very much “darling” and pray we shall be together soon, and for good. I shall close and may God Bless you always. Yours always With Lots of Love and Kisses, Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] After five days return to 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. �{Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS AUG 18 2 PM 1944 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “K,” Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 514-A [?] c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. � 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_Agnes_1944-08-17 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-08-17 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, August 17, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated August 17, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated August 18, 1944. In the letter, Agnes expresses how lonesome she becomes when she hasn't heard from Joe, while focusing on weekend plans spent with girlfriends at the beach in Grand Haven, Michigan and her love for the bracelet he gave her years ago. 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/d22d27967274f78cbd102b079739d7ea.pdf 1d4cd5ba5a18674f630e824c91059ef5 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b6b73c314f0956d0af5fca28eb22a8c6.pdf c42e584ff6cc438b5e636833a9d92a7c PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-08-27] [Page 1] August 27, 1944 My dearest Darling, Received a couple of your letters yesterday, and the one with the money orders in. The money is already safe and sound in the bank. I put it in with my little bank account. I’m so glad you got the pictures because I sent those quite a while back. Evidentally you didn’t get the picture I sent of myself with the pup. I sent that one before I did the others. On that picture I’ve got my hair fixed the way you like it “darling.” This other way is so nice and cool in the summer. Did you get the card I sent you from Grand Haven? I could tell your morale went up when you got those pictures and letters because you sounded so happy in your letter. I can always tell by your letters what kind of mood you’re in. {red lipstick imprint} [Page 2] I sure will give you two years’ worth of hugs and kisses when you get back. I sure do miss them ever so much and I keep looking forward to your coming home for good. We’ll eat watermelon and do all the things we’ve always wanted to do. There’s [sic] so many places we could go, and I know we shall be very, very happy. I love you so much “darling.” It will be a grand day when we’re married, and we shall be able to share our lives for life. Won’t it? We’ve got so much to look forward to. When I see you, I think I’ll fall into your arms and stay there forever. I wonder just how we’ll act when the day really comes. What do you think of Paris being liberated. [sic] Isn’t it great? We just heard a broadcast from there, and we could hear the people yelling and there was some shooting yet. Yours always With Loads of Love Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] After five days return to �1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS AUG 28 2 PM 1944 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “K,” Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 514-A [?] c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. � 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_Agnes_1944-08-27 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-08-27 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, August 27, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated August 27, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated August 28, 1944. In the letter, Agnes expresses her happiness in knowing Joe received her photographs, her affection for him and an eagerness for their marriage someday. She closes her letter mentioning Paris' liberation from Nazi occupation while inquiring about Joe's thoughts on the major world event. 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/46dca7aea119e4775a692999d85ba865.pdf 260e11a0c0e0ab1f159fa6f00d7763ea PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5e99bc9b63755183d5d89ad5d48a7181.pdf 2d946136657417fbfd974dc23667fb7a PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-12-12] [Page 1] December 12, 1944 My dearest Darling, I haven’t heard from you for sometime and again I’m worried. I hope I get some mail soon. This suspence drives me crazy. I’m writing this small because it’s the last piece of paper I’ve got “darling,” but I wanted to get out a few lines tonight. I still think of you all the time “honey” and miss you very, very much. I still love you with all my heart and happy days when you’re home again to stay. We sure will have to make up for lost time. And I hope everything will go quite smoothly for us. [Page 2] I think two boys and a girl will be nice for us “sweets,” but I like the way you said in your letter “and of course a girl.” I’d be awfully disappointed if I didn’t have a girl. I hope our first child is a boy, and I want him to look just like you. I sent you a birth announcement darling but evidentally you didn’t get it. The baby is a boy and his name is Paul. I also received the 125.00 you sent and put it in the bank. I’ll tell you again I also got the $180 you sent while you were in the hospital. I shall have to close “sweets” and write soon. With all my Love Agnes {signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS DEC 13 8:30 PM 1944 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL �S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. 130th Gen. Hosp. APO #652 JAN 2 - 1945 � 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_Agnes_1944-12-12 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-12-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, December 12, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated December 12, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated December 13, 1944. In the letter, Agnes tells Joe how much she misses and loves him and dreams of their future children. 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/cdfe52aa19cbf72420dcd0e1c7013dbf.pdf 0854752cfc7c04ef4b8622d1c53c0a6c PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/57c23f9059e6bbcd92751070a8fe21cf.pdf 6044bfa556757721afa16ae8765b57fe PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-12-03] [Page 1] December 3, 1944 My dearest Darling, Here I am again, and I hope you got all the mail I sent to you while I was at Helen’s. Oh! darling I had a terrible trip home. I had to stand up on the bus 50 miles from Conewango to Buffalo. I rode into Buffalo with Roger, Betty and Dorothy. Roger’s train left at 11:30 P.M. and then I had to wait until 4:05 in the morning for mine. I almost went nuts. Then when I did get on the train it was so crowded it was terrible. Ray was glad when we pulled into Grand Rapids. I had a grand time while I was at Helen’s though. She is a wonderful sister Joe, and she has a heart of gold. Gaylord is a lucky fellow and he doesn’t half appreciate what she does for him. [Page 2] Of course “darling” this is just between you and me. She’s a grand cook and she makes so many different kinds of dishes and everything she does is grand. We get along swell. I also made a hit with Miles and I think he likes me a lot. Gaylord took me around and showed me the country. All in all “darling” I was treated swell. I didn’t meet Janice until the last day. I didn’t like her at first because I thought she was tough and loud but then after I got to know her better I like her a lot. She was real sweet to me. Ollie makes me sick at times. He thinks he knows everything and has such a big mouth. I’m glad you’re going to be my [Page 3] husband “darling.” I think your the sweetest person on this earth “sweets”, and I love you with all my heart. I miss you so terribly, and how I wish you were here now. I met Jenna [?] last nite and when I met her she had already had seven shots. She was in pretty good condition though so I took her home, and we had a lot of fun… Well, “darling” I think I shall close for this time, and write as often as you can. God bless you always. Yours forever With all my Love Agnes �{signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS DEC 7 3 PM 1944 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. 130th Gen. Hosp. APO #652 � 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_Agnes_1944-12-03 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-12-03 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, December 3, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated December 3, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated December 7, 1944. In the letter, Agnes describes her trip from Conewango Valley back to Grand Rapids, Michigan with family and friends and expresses appreciation for Joe as her future husband. 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/6eb47be5e6911f4579cc101f4f6a93d9.pdf 1bb1d85a054bdbfbc793e3b0e3206736 PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/328f42f68b4f3aa42782fb075cbfa4a3.pdf cc5666bb91ab35c1a59da38a5271352f PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1945-02-11] [Page 1] February 11, 1945 My dearest Darling, Received your latest letter of Jan. 21st, and must say it was very welcome. It was almost two weeks since I had one. I sure do miss your letters, and appreciate it when I do get one. I think of you very much “darling” and sure do miss you very much too. I’m looking forward to the day when you’ll be home again to stay. We’ll just have to be patient like we have been in the past, even if it is hard. I just got through making out my income tax, and I’m glad that’s over. [Page 2] You sure do enjoy keeping me in suspence, don’t you “darling.” I think you’re a big tease. I’m just wondering what that souvenir is. I got a 12 page letter from Helen yesterday. Can you imagine that? I enjoy getting her letters. I agree with you “sweets” that you’d be a lot better off if you were sent home, but if you had to go back again, it would be a lot worse. Don’t you think so? Remember darling, that all things work out for the best to those who love God. When I get discouraged and blue, I always think of that. [Page 3] I get so lonesome and depressed at times that I don’t know what to do with myself. But I always think there’s better days coming. I hope someday we can have a new little home of our own, and furnish it just the way we want it. I know this will all take time and money, but if we’re careful I think we’ll be able to do it. If we were together there’s so many things we could plan and talk about. Jenna’s [?] husband is home this week. He hasn’t been home for a year, even if he is in this country. [Page 4] She would live with him, but her mother is ill most of the time, so she takes care of her. If you came back to the states and were stationed out here somewhere, would you want me to live with you? A lot of girls do it now. �I shall close for this time “darling” and write soon and as often as you can. Yours forever With all my Love Agnes P.S. The family are all fine, and send their love. [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS FEB 13 3:30 PM 1945 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 63 c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. [Envelope back] {Postmark} U.S. ARMY 1 BPO 7 MCH CONTROL SECTION � 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_Agnes_1945-02-11 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-02-11 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, February 11, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated February 11, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated February 13, 1945. In the letter, Agnes discusses her happiness over receiving Joe's latest letter and how much she looks forward to the day when he finally returns home and they can build their life together. 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/e5100e72f2f71719bdf63b2598fcb000.pdf 02789c906db9da4abae982f4525f0b49 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e1960555fd2060a9109028fa885bd0e5.pdf 1964cc4ead76cade0294f7d5f49a997c PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1945-02-22] [Page 1] February 22, 1945 My Darling, Received your letter of the 9th and must say I was very pleased to get it. I sure do appreciate your letters, especially when they’re so few and far between. I thought you sounded quite cheerful in this last V-mail, and I was quite encouraged. I’m anxiously waiting to get the package you sent and I’m wondering what’s in it. I know you just love to keep me guessing don’t you? Yes, darling I did visit Helen and I had a grand time. To think I wrote to you everyday while I was there and you didn’t get any of my letters just about makes me sick. [Page 2] I’m still praying for your safety “darling” and I hope the Lord will send you home to me soon. It seems as if you’ve just got to come home soon. Don’t you think so? Oh! darling I’m so anxious for you to see my cedar chest. I had my order in for quite awhile and I finally got mine. It’s walnut and sure is very pretty. Dad says it’s made good and has a good finish. I paid for it out of your money $40.00. I did this because you wanted me to have one, and you’ll have a lot of use out of it someday too. I got it on Valentine’s Day so I can {red lipstick imprint} [Page 3] call it a valentine from you. I always think of you “darling” and not a day goes by that I fail to. I still love you with all my heart, and miss you just as much. Oh! happy day when you’re home again to stay. I got a letter from Janice the other day, and by the way she writes, I guess they are coming here for Easter. I hope so, and I wish you were going to be here too. Well “sweets” I shall close for this time and write real soon and often. Yours always With all my Love Agnes {red lipstick imprint} �[Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS FEB 23 2 PM 1945 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Army Hospital A.P.O. – 63 c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY 1 BPO 13 MCH POSTAL SERVICE CONTROL SECTION � 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_Agnes_1945-02-22 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-02-22 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, February 22, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated February 22, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated February 23, 1945. In the letter, Agnes writes how she is eagerly awaiting the gift package Joe sent to her and how sorry she was regarding her previous letters being undelivered during her time away with Helen. 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/359e5d2b375a0be6dbb9355cb1e29c65.pdf 9b4c24094dad1373b3356394179d1d7d PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2ecb0cd734b01fce6a36230940b928ac.pdf 7fe0a258fb0d9b29e0973aa8eef4d0c1 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1945-01-18] [Page 1] January 18, 1945 My dearest Darling, Received a letter and V-mail from you, and its nice hearing from you. Now that I’ve got your address again, I’ll be able to write. I’m glad to hear you are coming along fine, and I hope you continue to feel better. I imagine if you didn’t get any of my letters you don’t know I spent my vacation at Helen’s house. I had a grand time there, and it was a nice trip, [Page 2] even if I was all alone. I also got the money you sent just before you went to the hospital. I can’t help but worry about you “darling” because I love you so much, and if anything ever happened to you, I think I’d die!! I keep thinking about our future, and of all the things we’ve got to look forward to. I sure do miss your hugs and kisses, and how swell it will be to get them again. Its been a long [Page 3] time, hasn’t it “darling.” Sometimes I just sit and wonder how much longer its going to be. I wish you could see Dad’s pipe, he’s smoking it now, and some fellows in the shop painting it about three or four different colors. They do that to everyone’s pipe that they find laying around. Its really cute. I bought some nice plaid material for a skirt today and it came to over 5.00 just for material. A ready made [Page 4] skirt costs at least 8.99. Isn’t that terrible. Its almost time to file income tax again and what a headache that is. I liked that picture you sent of me and Masie. Its really very nice. Everything is going fine for me at the store, “darling” and I still enjoy my work. I do get sick of people grumbling about rationing and shortages though. �I shall close “sweets” and write as often as you can. With all my Love Your future wife Agnes {signature accent mark} [Envelope front] 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS JAN 19 3 PM 1945 MICH. S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 63 c/o P.M. N. Y., N. Y. No Record 4152 H. P. A.P.O. #63 [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. � 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_Agnes_1945-01-18 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-01-18 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, January 18, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated January 18, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated January 19, 1945. In the letter, Agnes is relieved to hear from Joe again and describes what he may have missed in her other letters such as her vacation at Helen's and the money she received from him. 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/7a036d3ebc4692a991056c6daae0132c.pdf 6cf292e43ab27809525aa825c8fa1dc7 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/843007e13f3096aac3fd69611d1ef79d.pdf 62f91815cab98965d9d74c384535f4c4 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1945-01-24] [Page 1] January 24, 1945 My dearest Darling, {red lipstick imprint} Received your letter of Jan. 15th and I sure was tickled to get it. Your writing is still so nice “darling.” Especially when you write with ink. I got a letter from Janice yesterday and one from Helen today. Everything is fine in Detroit. I feel so sorry for Helen because Gaylord has to go to the Army. I really think it will do “Gay” good though, because he’ll appreciate Helen a lot more. I guess he appreciates her but he just doesn’t show it. So many people tell me I’m going to be disappointed [Page 2] after I’m married awhile because I expect so much. By that I mean, I think marriage is wonderful, and if two people are really in love everything goes smoothly for them. I suppose I have a lot to learn, but I know you’ll make a grand husband for me, and we’ll understand each other. I sure hope they let you come soon, at least that’s what I’m praying for. I’m sure your nervous condition will be alright soon “darling.” When you get blue just think about our future, and all the [Page 3] things we’ve got to look forward to. We took some pictures up at Helen’s and I look terrible on them, just like I do on all the other pictures your folks take. Just when I want them to come out good they never do. I sure could stand some hugging and squeezing now so I’ll let you all you want when you get here. I’ll shower you with all the kisses I’ve got in me. All stored up for you to. I love you with all my heart “sweets” and miss you so much. Some {red lipstick imprint} [Page 4] �times I get so lonesome I could scream, and that’s bad. I’m getting so sick of movies! Movies! Movies! That’s about all there is for a decent girl to do. The last picture I saw was “Hollywood Canteen” and that’s the best one I’ve seen for a long time. I shall close for this time “darling,” and write as often as you can. Yours always With all my Love, Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS JAN 25 [?] PM 1945 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 63 c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. No Record 4152 H. P. A.P.O. #63 � 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_Agnes_1945-01-24 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-01-24 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, January 24, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated January 24, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated January 25, 1945. In the letter, Agnes expresses her feelings on marriage and her hopes for her future with Joe, while consoling him on his nervous condition and reassuring him that there are brighter days ahead for the couple. 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/cbf12131bf98dc3aa87eb5dacf3f9bcb.pdf 67e51a26146e36e1fc932f8321933f6a PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6af1e5494e953269c3199f2c1ed8dde1.pdf b12e8832b3e6bdda7ee990f8619c4155 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1945-01-30] [Page 1] January 30, 1945 My dearest Darling, I haven’t received any mail yet this week, but I’m patiently waiting. Yesterday was my day off, and I didn’t get any and was I ever disappointed. I was almost too blue to go downtown with Mom, but I did though. I bought some material for a couple spring dresses, a blouse and 3 pairs of slacks. Now I’m almost broke again. I’ve got an income tax bill coming up too. They took almost $5.00 a week out of my pay last year, and now I still have to pay $35.00. The people back home are earning good money in this war, but they’re [Page 2] paying it out too. Socks that I paid 10 cents a pair for before the war I pay 50 cents for now. Gloria and Beatrice have gone to a basketball game outside of town tonight, and it’s snowing hard and below zero. Nothing stops those two. Honestly, “darling” you’ll be so surprised when you see the kids. They’ve grown and changed so. I’ve even changed I guess. I’ve been trying to take pictures every Sunday and Monday, the only two days I get a chance, but the sun is never out. Mother said she wrote you a letter today. I’m glad she did. She sure likes the pin she got from you {red lipstick imprint} [Page 3] for Christmas. The baby has got quite a bad cold, and I hate to see him sick. I still love you as much as ever sweets and think of you all the time. I sure will thank God the day you step food in this house! I’ll be so happy, I’m afraid I’ll cry. I’m getting so I don’t know what to do with myself and the suspense is getting me down. There are millions more just like us though. I shall close “darling” and write soon and often. With all my Love Your future wife Agnes �{red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS FEB 1 4:30 PM 1945 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 63 c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. No Record 4152 H. P. A.P.O. #63 � 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_Agnes_1945-01-30 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-01-30 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, January 30, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated January 30, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated February 1, 1945. In the letter, Agnes updates Joe on how her family are doing as she awaits another letter from him that winter. 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/a840a7bbaf69387ebf1ce1ca60bb2bd9.pdf 8fc4ec3f30acd6634d70ec99ae3a1bc5 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9333d051cfa88a241001e6172e35b934.pdf c3a4794faac60fad76833543c6c0e98a PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-07-04] [Page 1] July 4, 1944 Hello Darling, Received a letter from you written June 14th, and I must say it was a relief getting it. I’m so happy that you are safe and sound, and I’m praying that you still are at this time. Alice arrived here Sunday from Mass. and we sure are having a swell time. We went to the movies a couple of times, and today we went to the beaches at Grand Haven and Holland. We took some pictures, and I’m going to send you some, as soon as I get them. Even if they aren’t much good, I’ll send them to you. We were going to the amusement park, but we were dead tired so we changed our minds. I guess we’ll go tomorrow night instead. Gloria and Junior are going back with her, and they’re going to stay there a couple weeks. I would like to go back for a visit sometime, but I figured we might be able to go together sometime when you get home. {red lipstick imprint} Alice told Carolyn that we were [Page 2] engaged, and Carolyn and her mother laughed, and said they didn’t believe it. What do you think of it? I bet Carolyn is pretty jealous. A girl that works in the store with me, has a brother who just came home from the South Pacific. He has a 30 day furlough and got married last Saturday. It only took 3 days for their blood tests and license. Of course he had his blood test in the Army. I don’t think we’ll have to worry about waiting so long in case you don’t get a long furlough. Anyway, we can think about it as time goes along. I still love you very, very much “darling” and I’m getting so anxious to see you, I’m ready to burst. Well, I shall close for this time and write soon. With all my love, Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] After five days return to 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} �GRAND RAPIDS JUL 5 2 PM 1944 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. DET. OF. PAT. U.S. Army HOSP. PLANT [?] #4187 APO #152 8-9-44 [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. CONTROL SECTION {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 BPO 12 NOV 1944 � 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_Agnes_1944-07-04 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-07-04 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, July 4, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated July 4, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated July 5, 1944. In the letter, Agnes describes her relief in receiving a letter from Joe and tells him about her summer adventures going to the movies and the beaches of Grand Haven and Holland, Michigan. 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/43f4da5b5307a5040e14ba441499c3e9.pdf 4b939fc56f8c02b2555531b194e55bf4 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d046731a8d69e8285188c8ff1db623af.pdf 3c2b27ed6999f6c848e6807c080caf71 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-06-27] [Page 1] June 27, 1944 Hello Darling Have been thinking of you a lot today, so thought I’d drop you a few lines again. Its [sic] terribly hot here tonight, it was 99 degrees all day, and that sure is hot weather to work in. I stood it though, although it made me dizzy a couple of times. The weather here is so different than in Mass. I just got through taking a bath, so I’m cooled off a little. “Darling”, I’m so anxious to hear from you and get some of your latest letters. The suspence [sic] is really getting me down. I’m praying that you are safe, and I’m sure the Lord will answer my prayers. I made some cookies for you, and am sending the box tomorrow morning. I don’t know if you’ll like the cookies or not, but remember “sweets” I’m just learning. I found you a fountain pen, and also hope that is alright. The watch and gum [?] is from Ollie as I told you before. I wanted to send you a can of pineapple, but it {red lipstick imprint} [Page 2] made the box overweight. I went to a girl’s house for dinner today. I work with her in the store. I sure had some nice Chop suey. Do you like Chop suey sweets. I hope you do, because I love it. Alice, from Mass. Is coming out here to visit me for a week. She should be here for this Sunday. I’m very anxious to see her again. I wish you were coming home to see me “darling”. I love you very much “darling” and my love for you grows deeper and deeper everyday way down in. I think about you constantly when I’m working, and whatever I’m doing. I got a letter from Ollie, and he kidded me about living on a farm after (you and I) we’re married. He knows I hate farms. Well, “darling,” I shall have to close for this time, and write soon. {red lipstick imprint} Yours forever With all my Love Agnes {signature accent mark} [Envelope front] �After five days return to 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS JUN 28 5 PM 1944 MICH. S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. DET. OF. PAT. U.S. Army HOSP. PLANT [?] #4187 APO #152 8-24-44 [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. CONTROL SECTION {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 BPO 30 OCT 1944 � 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_Agnes_1944-06-27 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-06-27 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, June 27, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated June 27, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated June 28, 1944. In the letter, Agnes describes the hot weather conditions she is experiencing while anxiously awaiting to hear from Joe and details the gifts she will be sending him on the following day. 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/fb034fcf0ca4ef40e190fc86b177df2e.pdf 299148485d3bfc9ddfab119bc73e6667 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/55546846aa4f69aa48935d3dafc68c0e.pdf 724c81c924297d3f2a70d0621b298510 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1945-03-13] [Page 1] March 13, 1945 My dearest Darling: Received your V-mail of Mar. 4, and sure was glad to hear from you again. I sure hope the letters keep coming like they used too, and you’ll feel more like writing. Do you think you’re going to like your new assignment? Its such a relief to me to know you’re not going back to the front again. I still love you with all my heart “darling” and miss you very much. I’m praying that you’ll soon get a furlough and come home to me. I sure do like the picture you sent me “sweets” and I keep looking at it all the time. I want to thank {red lipstick imprint} [Page 2] you again for the souveners in case you don’t get some of my letters. Spring is almost here again. How time does fly! Do you ever hear anything of Ray? I haven’t heard anything about him for ages. Alice wrote and told me Carolyn’s brother is getting married. He’s marrying a girl from Maine. I don’t think Carolyn’s got a boyfriend. I wonder if she believes yet that we’re engaged. I shall have to close “sweets” because this is the last of my paper. All my Love Your future wife Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS �MAR 14 3 PM 1945 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) [?] A.P.O. – [?] c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. � 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_Agnes_1945-03-13 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-03-13 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, March 13, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated March 13, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated March 14, 1945. In the letter, Agnes expresses her relief over Joe's new assignment away from the front lines and hopes he will receive a furlough to return home once again. 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/f043caf7986a9e312463b848095221cc.pdf 3153fc76f0d1db3be2a4560f3c7fc349 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/41efa8ffa4685408f98f5e6d4ec4ab55.pdf 92786ab404824c7082599ade05aec963 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1945-03-08] [Page 1] March 8, 1945 My dearest Darling: I either don’t hear from you at all, or everything comes at once. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I got your picture. I’m so please with it “honey” that I can hardly tell you in words. I’ve got it in front of my now, and I wish I could take you right out of the picture into my arms. Wouldn’t that be heavenly though. I sure do think you’re looking good, and as far as I can see you haven’t changed one bit. My folks think its swell too. So much for the picture. I also got the souveners you sent me, and I sure was tickled. I think they’re darling, and to think you made [Page 2] them with your own hands. Last but not least I got the valentines and they sure are sweet. I’m so pleased with them. I hope you got the one I sent you. Don’t think I forgot about your birthday “darling” but it’s going to be a little late. I’ll tell you I had my picture taken for you, just like I did last year, and for some reason or other (paper shortage) it takes a long time to get them made. However, I think you’ll be pleased when you get it. A new furniture store opened downtown and its open every night this week for inspection. Mother, Dad, my girlfriend and myself [Page 3] went down to look tonight. Oh! “darling” it just puts me in the fever to buy furniture. I wish we were furnishing our home already, don’t you? We could have so much fun. Anyway we’ve got something to look forward to. My mother and I are redecorating my bedroom. I painted the ceiling all by myself. Do you believe me. Its sure going to look different. I hope you’re going to like my cedar chest “darling.” I’m pretty sure you will though. {red lipstick imprint} Mother got her letter from you, and she was very pleased. I didn’t get mine though, as yet. I sure hope [Page 4] and pray you get that 30 day furlough. Keep on trying for it and don’t give up. �I’m sending you a couple snapshots and hope you like them. This will give you an idea what my fur coat looks like. I shall close until later. Your future wife All my Love Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS MAR 9 7 PM 1945 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4152 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 63 c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. � 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_Agnes_1945-03-08 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945-03-08 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, March 8, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated March 8, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated March 9, 1945. In the letter, Agnes expresses her excitement over receiving the care package from Joe including a treasured photograph of him, handmade souvenirs, and valentines. She also writes that she is looking forward to his birthday and dreams of the day when they can furnish their future home together. 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/0667b0ace1aab184639bba2abc2e82d4.pdf e735772824876e3605e7440fb9a8bc1c PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7f334bc14777bd69a188ca9ce32cc9f4.pdf eb57ced1cdb96e34b2ec04929b9e2aa0 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-11-12] [Page 1] November 12, 1944 My dearest Darling, Received two of your letters written October 28th and 30th. I was so pleased to get those nice letters “honey”. It was two weeks since I had heard from you, and it was quite a relief to get those letters. I’m getting all ready to go visit Helen and Gaylord next week. I’m leaving here Sunday November 19th. I’m rather anxious to go, and it sure is grand to have a week’s vacation with pay. I don’t like to travel alone so well though [Page 2] because I get lonesome. When I went to Detroit the last time I just sat and daydreamed about you and myself and our future. I imagine I’ll do the same thing this time. Darling! I love you with all my heart and miss you so very, very much. I pray for your safety and may God always bless you and keep you close to me, even if we are separated and so far apart. The Lord knows all our needs, and I know if {red lipstick imprint} [Page 3] we trust him, we shall be very happy. I’m anxiously waiting to get that package you sent me. It was sweet of you to send me those things darling. I’m sorry you haven’t got the package with the watch and pen in. I sent it to the address you have now. Just a few days after I mailed it, I got your letter saying you were in the hospital. Evidently it got lost somewhere! I got the $180 you sent “honey”. It only took a [Page 4] short while to get here. You must not get all my letters because I wrote it in several letters. You asked for the address of that fellow who sent me the bracelet. I finally came across it. (Sgt. George Parker 6905924) 93 Station Compliment [?] Squadron A.P.O. – 635 c/o P.M. [?] N.Y. N.Y. �I shall have to close “darling” and write as often as you can. Yours always With all my Love Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS NOV 14 4:30 PM 1944 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. 130th Gen. Hosp. APO#652 12-4-44 [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. � 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_Agnes_1944-11-12 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, November 12, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated November 12, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated November 14, 1944. In the letter, Agnes talks about her upcoming week's paid vacation to visit Helen and Gaylord, comparing it with her last trip to Detroit, Michigan where she daydreamed of her future with Joe. 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/0e27941e48a257ff7b9879773d90215f.pdf c8f17d9f9a1eaac7b4ce75da925dfa66 PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/427e96bc8416f26e79a68642ba839b21.pdf d99374636a0f83e150c852086473c153 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-11-14] [Page 1] November 14, 1944 My dearest Darling, Didn’t receive any mail from you this week, but nevertheless here I am writing. I’ve got your picture in front of me, and I know that will give me some inspiration. “Darling,” I just wish you were here right now, so I could squeeze you, and give you all the kisses I promised. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it. I sure like to be loved, and I miss it very much. I can remember so well the first time you kissed [Page 2] me. It was on New Year’s Eve, and you were the first fellow who ever kissed me. You could probably tell that ha! ha! Last nite I bought my train ticket to go visit Helen. I’m leaving this Saturday nite November 18th. I’m so excited I can hardly wait. I think I told you that I don’t have to have my tonsils out, but I’m getting four shots for colds [?]. I had the last one yesterday. {red lipstick imprint} You’ll have to excuse this terrible scribbling, [Page 3] “darling”, but I’m so tired, and I’m writing this in bed, so I’m sure you’ll understand. I bought a pair of new brown slacks last night. They’re 100% wool, and that’s something that’s hard to get. They cost me $9.00. Isn’t that terrible!! I bought a pair of pajamas that cost $4.00. Honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen, if these prices don’t go down pretty soon. Of course wages are high too. I love you with all [Page 4] my heart “sweets” and I long for the day when we shall be together for good. I pray for your safety every day, and may God richly bless you and bring you home soon. I pray that this terrible war will end soon. �I shall close “darling” and write soon and often as you can. Yours always With all my Love Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} P.S. I’m sending a snapshot my cousin took of me last spring. Its different than the other one I sent you. [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS NOV 15 3 PM 1944 MICH. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. # 1 c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. 130th Gen. Hosp. APO#652 12-4-44 [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY 1 BPO 17 MCH POSTAL SERVICE CONTROL SECTION � 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_Agnes_1944-11-14 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-14 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, November 14, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated November 14, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated November 15, 1944. In the letter, Agnes expresses her affection for Joe and reminisces about their first kiss on New Year's Eve. She also mentions her recent purchases including a train ticket to visit Helen and new clothes, while hoping the war will end and bring Joe back home soon. 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/e0246ac8b469e2ecd1c7edcd741fa1bf.pdf c96e23fa80cb7de7b2e5043e505d224a PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c1a6ec79900fd17dbad8b73c8dfe6f5a.pdf 12f58ee752bb971006204eb5168aaeaa PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-11-20] [Page 1] Conewango Valley November 20, 1944 My dearest Darling, As you can see I arrived here safely, and I’m planing on spending the whole week here. Helen and Gaylord met me at the station in Buffalo yesterday, and then we went to Johnny and Lillian’s [?], and had dinner there. I like it out here in the country a lot but don’t know for sure if I’d like it here all the time. I sure do miss you [Page 2] “sweets” and what I would do to have you here with me. I love you with all my heart, and wait patiently for the day when we shall be together for good. I’m going to squeeze you with all my might and I don’t think I’ll ever let you out of my sight. I got two lonely letters from you written Nov. 1st and 2nd. I sure was tickled to get those just before I left. {red lipstick imprint} I’m going to try and [Page 3] send you some stamps tomorrow. I have to get them first thought. I hope you get the package I sent with the stationary in it. I’ll tell you again “sweets” I got the money you sent me. You probably know that by now though. Gaylord’s brother Roger is home, and his girlfriend is staying over to Ennis’s [?] too. How I envy them “darling” I just wish that was you and I. But I’m happy for them just the same. Ollie and Janice will [Page 4] probably be here for Thanksgiving. �The ground was covered with snow this morning. The first snow we’ve had. Well “darling” its almost time for the mailman to be here, so I shall close with all my love to the best fellow, who’s the grandest soldier in the Army. All my Love Your future wife Agnes {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} CONEWANGO V. NOV 20 1944 P.M. VIA AIR MAIL S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 c/o P.M. New York, N. Y. 130th Gen. Hosp. APO#652 12-3-44 � 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_Agnes_1944-11-20 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-20 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, November 20, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated November 20, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated November 20, 1944. In the letter, Agnes writes of her journey taking the train to Buffalo, New York, and spending the week in Conewango Valley with Helen and Gaylord while experiencing their first snow fall for the year. 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/b665807702861354749b332dc3c81d5c.pdf a7ed6cab4cd4560262154df3c7eb4115 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/376f27ce32d5a2616acbc66fd32d67f4.pdf be66d20d58cf55c7afc4ac80c1b2b65c PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-11-22] [Page 1] November 22, 1944 My dearest Darling, I sure do miss your letters this week and I hope if I get any, my mother will send them to me. Last night Gaylord, Helen and I went to Jamestown to the movies, and saw the picture “Doughgirls.” It wasn’t a bad picture, but it was terribly crazy. We’re going to Jamestown again today shopping, and Roger and Dorothy are going along too. Just think tomorrow is Thanksgiving again, and [Page 2] this is your third Thanksgiving overseas. We’ll be thinking of you anyway “Darling”. Even if you aren’t here. At least I know I will. I love you with all my heart “sweets” and still miss you very, very much. I just hope and pray that you’ll be home very soon, and that this terrible war will be over too. We’ve got so much to look forward to, and plan on I know we shall be {red lipstick imprint} [Page 3] very happy once we have adjusted ourselves to each other. Yesterday afternoon Roger and Gaylord took us all around the country looking for turkeys. Every farmhouse we went to they didn’t have any, but I saw the country anyway. We’re going to get one today though. I’m wondering if your ears are ringing at all because we’re always talking about you. Gaylord’s always kidding me, but [Page 4] it doesn’t bother me anymore. He told me about the time you stayed at Ennis’s [?] and cut wood. He also told me what a good worker you are, but he didn’t have to tell me that. I shall have to close “darling” and write as often as you can. Yours always �With all my love Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} � 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_Agnes_1944-11-22 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-11-22 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, November 22, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated November 22, 1944. In the letter, Agnes describes her adventures with Helen and Gaylord in New York, going to the movies and exploring the countryside in search of turkeys while looking ahead to Joe's third Thanksgiving 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/ce5357c014253f8fd3e389096e952023.pdf 0611880a29e329ba77cfb2a5299e385c PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c2f27e6a7f363992660d2d398affe0c4.pdf 2b63078c6d63929ea23cd55ee8898a5a PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-10-23] [Page 1] October 23, 1944 My dearest Darling, A lot has happened around here since I wrote to you last. Mother had a nice baby boy Friday afternoon. They are both doing fine. I just wish you could see the baby. Its the sweetest thing. The nurse shows it to us through a window. Dad is so proud. Honestly, everyone says you would think it was his 1st! I went downtown tonight and bought a fur coat. Its beaver dark brown. I haven’t got it home yet because I haven’t got it all paid for. Boy does it look nice. I’ll be glad when you can see it, and I hope you’ll like it. I paid $1.20 for it, {red lipstick imprint} [Page 2] including the tax and all. I went to the movies the other night and saw Mrs. Steffinson. It was a pretty good picture. Have you seen it? By the way have you ran into Roy since you’ve been back with the outfit? I wonder how he is. I never hear anything about Carolyn, and it don’t bother me any either. I still miss you very, very much “darling” and I love you with all my heart. I hope and pray this war will be over soon, and we’ll be happily married and live a normal life like other people do. I shall close sweets and write soon. With all my Love, Agnes P.S. Thanks for the German money. {red lipstick imprint} � 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_Agnes_1944-10-23 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-10-23 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, October 23, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated October 23, 1944. In the letter, Agnes shares her family's good news of the birth of her baby brother, along with her excitement for a new fur coat and a recent trip to the movie theater. 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/0bc03260bfe04620d49c87dba7936606.pdf f058c915c434824e43d9702d766ce58b PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/86b045f366a3a0b8f4426e8e0de225ca.pdf e187faba0104287d8847461bd7a5f006 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Agnes_1944-10-24_02] [Page 1] October 24th, 1944 My dearest Darling, I haven’t had any mail yet this week, but here I am again “darling.” I never have much news for you because I don’t do much of anything. One thing I can always tell you how much I miss you and love you. I am patiently waiting for the day to come when we shall be together again, and for good. Oh! “Darling” we’ve got so much to look forward to. Our love for each other never growing old. I imagine it will take a little time at first to get adjusted and to get used to each other. I know I have changed some in the past two years, and I imagine you have too. Its quite different around the house without Mom, but we’re managing, and pretty good at that. I’m anxious for the baby to come home though, so I can cuddle it. {red lipstick imprint} [Page 2] Boy! Am I ever getting razzed for buying a fur coat. They kidded me all day about it in the store. They seem to be just as tickled as I am. The butcher made me eat a raw oyster today, and honestly I felt so queer. I never saw such a crazy bunch. Of course I’m just as bad. I can still get those laughing fits. Remember that one night when you were tell me crazy things the boys did in the barracks. We both laughed so hard. I often think of that. So Punchy still with your outfit. You never mention him anymore. I shall close for this time sweets, and write soon. Yours always With all my Love Agnes {signature accent mark} {red lipstick imprint} [Envelope front] 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids 9, Mich. {Postmark} GRAND RAPIDS OCT 25 �3 PM 1944 MICH. S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. #1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. [Envelope back] S.W.A.K. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY 1 BPO 17 MCH POSTAL SERVICE CONTROL SECTION � 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_Agnes_1944-10-24_02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Van Der Weide, Agnes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-10-24 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, October 24, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated October 24, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated October 25, 1944. In the letter, Agnes confides that she never has a lot to say in her letters and focuses her writing on how she will never tire of telling Joe what he means to her. She also describes what it has been like at home while her mom is away in the hospital and the response she received regarding her new fur coat. 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/c405aedc31de334a697f6fa6962be373.pdf c2717077ccd37e4d02129bb13859f9be PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/11501d8bc06a511c41eda867aea8384a.pdf 3ed3e5100a39a5538d63c96f8be4f560 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-11] [Page 1] England April 11, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Rec’d two of your letters last nite [sic] dated March 18th and 31st. It was swell to hear from you again. I’m fine as usual and love you as much as ever. Miss you, too and plenty. I’d be very happy and contented, “Darling” if you were here to squeeze me, like you said you would. Why, don’t you? I’ve enjoyed your kisses very much, “Sweets” and their [sic] swell, especially when they come from you. I sure do remember the last time I kissed you and I miss them very much now. You’re to blame young lady and just waite [sic] till I get back. I’ll get even then. Ha! Ha! [Page 2] As long as you daydream of us, “Darling,” I’m well pleased and I do the same often. It’s grand to think of it, isn’t it “Sweets.” I could squeeze you ever so much right now and bite your ears. That!! would be swell! [sic] Ha! Ha! Did you visit my folks or did some of them visit you? I hope they visited you? My! I’m disappointed in you for falling to sleep holding my picture. Next time you do that, “Sweets,” I’m going to jump right out of the picture and knip [sic] your nose. I’ll even jump in and out of your dreams, just to be mean and haunt you. What do you think of that? Worried?!!! Ha! Ha! You will be! Have you tried to make some cookies for me yet? You haven’t, well young lady, you’d better get busy and [Page 3] make some. So, Gloria’s going to work in the store? I see where I’ll apply for another secretary job and take care of all the money she makes. I quit being your secretary because you never sent me anything to balance the monthly budget. Ha! Ha! Has your mother written to me lately? If she hasn’t, I’m still boycotting her. Is Elaine going to answer my letter? Well, tell her to hurry up and write. How’s your dad these days? Don’t forget to tell him that I was asking about him, will you? Today is a very nice day, wish you were here to spend it with me. It wouldn’t cost you much, except for a broken rib, from me squeezing you. Ha! Ha! Would it be worth it? Did you wear your Easter Suit? This Sunday “Sweets,” I want you to [Page 4] wear it because I’m going to take you for a stroll. That’s going to be swell, then I will be able to see it. My thoughts are always of you “Darling” and I can hardly waite [sic] for the day we shall see each other again. Well, I shall have to close hoping to hear from you soon. Yours forever, With Loads of Love & Kisses Joe �{Signature accent mark} PS. Getting back to my usual short letters, ain’t I? Awful isn’t? Ha! Ha! Sending another clipping of “Sad Sack.” [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. U. S. Army Free {Signature accent mark} {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 APR 11 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-11 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-04-11 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 11, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 11, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 11, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes expressing his love for her and inquiring about whether she gathered with his family for Easter back home in Michigan. 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/7f609b8deb88cd4f91ae5d666c3833c6.pdf 841a31441ae737a51002763374d09354 PDF Text Text ���������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/046d52efcd23bb10bbbde0fbab9b275b.pdf eb7f294ff2b497b2e47d66818b445a09 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-04-13] [Page 1] Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. April 13, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d both of your letters and was surprised to get two. Yesterday, some of us boys were invited to attend church in Jacksonville and naturally I went too. We were invited out to dinner by some of the people there and I must say I had a very enjoyable time. Coming back at nite [sic] it was very chilly and now I have a beautiful head cold. I’ve had a nagging headache all day and just about blew Camp Blanding off of the map sneezing. I don’t feel so well at present [Page 2] but in good spirits. Tomorrow we are going on an 18-mile hike and staying [text strikethrough] out there for a 3-day problem. So, I decided to write since we came in a little earlier than usual. The parade was a great success but very hot for us boys who done the marching. It was 2 hours before we got through parading and what a crowd watching us. Our training [sic] is hard as usual and the same. Especially getting into the mud and marsh. Saturday, I put on my swimming trunks and laid out on my invisible beach to get a sun tan. I got burned a little and red, but now I’m just as white as I was before so I’ll try again. [Page 3] I nearly fainted when I got 2 cards from my brother Ollie. He was visiting the place in Ohio where we used to live. The Army is still giving out 2 furloughs in a platoon each week now and if I can scrape up enough money, I may take one, although I don’t want anyone to count on it. I suppose my brother sent you a card or two, too, or am I wrong. That note you got and sent to me was taken from a book, for I took business writing in school and the book I had as a reference gave love letters in the same degree as this one you sent. Believe it or not. I was taught, to put, commas, in sentences, whenever needed, when I went, to school and I readily, can understand, the teachings of “Cushing Academy.” [sic] Ha! Ha! Anyway, it doesn’t, cost, me a cent, �[Page 4] to add, it in. [sic] I’ve come to the conclusion that you count the words in my letters to see how long they are. My! My! - What next? Ha! Ha! So, you’ve set the law on me. Eh! Well, they’ll have a hard time to keep up with me in this man’s Army and I could lose them in these swamps. I believe I know where every mud hole is in these parts, for I haven’t missed a single one of them. So, I’m not afraid. I’ve borrowed Roy’s pen and must say it's a good one. He’s still in the kitchen and we are surviving from his cooking. He’s going to Texas to get married when he gets a furlough. Anyway, the love bug has bitten most of these boys here, for they all are writing to they’re girlfriends [Page 5] and proposing to them. I’ll bet my last dollar you can’t bake a cake as good as I can? Now, you’ve got a challenge. I haven’t looked around yet to see who smokes Kools or Raleigh cigarettes but I shall give an answer about it in my next letter. I can’t remember when Beasie and I gave you a scare, not unless it was riding on the toboggan when I was there. I was referring to the time when Beasie had to give me a kiss to get her money back. I sure get a kick out of that when I think of it. How is my little “Chick a dee” Gloria these days? [sic] Give her my regards and tell her I’m sneezing my tears away for her. Ha! Ha! [Page 6] Between you and I, have you got change for two gun patches? You haven’t? Well, don’t send me any wooden nickels, either, for them. Since I have plenty of stamps and can’t use them, I’m sending you a few, so that you will not have an excuse for not writing. Ha! Ha! How do you like my small writing? Not bad, I must admit and saving a lot of space. When you do make your first million, call me up and I’ll handle the business and [text strikethrough] financial transactions free of charge. Did you get that mannish jacket and skirt yet? I’ll bet you didn’t! You’ve sent this letter and another one with the stamps upside down. I take it as a mistake, but yet I wonder. [Page 7] �Don’t mind me, I’ve known all along. In other words, I’m not blind. How is the weather up there? It’s fine down here and it isn’t a season for ducks either. Don’t forget to give the folks my best regards and a big Hell----o, will you? [sic] The Wennebergs [?] still write to Roy, but I guess he isn’t interested in them anymore. He’s [text strikethrough] {good} got quite a few from Carolyn but hasn’t answered one or two of them so far. I’m about due for Guard duty and kitchen police so I’ve come to a distinct conclusion it will be Saturday and Sunday. I’ve sneezed over fifty times since I started to write this letter and my head feels as if it were like a big balloon. So, I will close till I hear from you again. As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} {Signature accent mark} {Signature accent mark} You’d better give up {arrow pointing to his additional signature accent mark mimicking hers} Perfect {arrow pointing to additional signature accent mark} P.S. Where are those pictures you were going to send me? Huh! {Signature accent mark as underlining} Excuse the mistakes for it was my sneezing. {additional signature accent marks} [Envelope front] P.F.C. Joe Olexa U.S. Army {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING APR 14 5 PM 1942 FLA. FREE {Signature accent mark} �Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. [Envelope back] P.F.C. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1942-04-13 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 1942-04-13 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 13, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 13, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 14, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in good spirits, yet feeling under the weather, while at Camp Blanding and after attending the parade and church services in Jacksonville, Florida. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) Jacksonville (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/c1ee2cfba4c2ce2ea194dfc420ce1955.pdf 71f87d1f02af0d5ad0f2b57ee838623f PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/58cc5883f388aedf9a34eb087a6c1735.pdf 11afaac80a7510a64513ef6479e8c627 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-04-13] [Page 1] North Africa April 13, 1943 Dear Agnes, Rec’d three of your latest letters of March 11, 16, and 19. I’m the same as usual and getting along as fine as can be. You state that my letters are far in between. Well, I have written every time I had the chance. I hope by now that you got most of them. Did you receive the French money and pictures I sent to you? I hope you did and if not let me know as soon as you can. I’ll send you some more if you didn’t. [Page 2] I got a letter from Helen, my brother Johnny, and a newspaper. I sure was glad to hear from them. So, you were surprised when Helen sent you that clipping. It’s all in a day's work and just a hint that it isn’t a picnic over here the way some people around there think. I don’t want people to worry about me, so that is the reason I don’t mention things about myself in letters. When I get back, I may try to answer some of your questions. I have written to you over [Page 3] a week ago and hope you get that letter too. I haven’t answered Beasie’s letter as yet but will when I have the time. Now for a little sad news. I’ve been reduced back down to the grade of Corporal for some unknown reason. It’s temporarily and I’ll probably get my promotion back again. I haven’t done anything wrong or holding out on information. When I find out the reason, I’ll let you know. Claypool and Tuck, the Lover, I used to write about are now missing in action. I don’t know whether they are captured or dead. [Page 4] Anyway, I am hoping that they are still well and alive. They were in my squad at the time and I sure miss them. I used to go out with them in the States and over here. Well, it’s the results of war, so we all have to take the breaks on the chin. Give the folks my regards and Hello. I still miss you as much as ever Sweets and hope that we will see each other sometime in the near future. Will close and write when you can. Yours, With Lots of Love Joe �{Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. U.S. Army {Postmark} - partially illegible U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE [?] A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. PASSED BY US 11147 ARMY EXAMINER Robert Ostwald 2nd Lt. Inf. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1943-04-13 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 1943-04-13 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 13, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 13, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated April 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed overseas in North Africa and after receiving three of her letters written back in March, sharing the downhearted news of his returning to being a "Corporal" and the squad members who are missing in action. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Africa, North United States. Army Promotions 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/739fcfe22f60f62116c77dd86592a465.pdf d697d3dad91d120e336e700796290fdc PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/09e242370106e20187c4b92add8b7638.pdf fce909a863dac0d3d242afdd4b3b949a PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-14] [Page 1] England April 14, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Got two of your letters today dated March 24th & 28th and a letter from your mother. It sure was swell to hear from the both of you. I’m fine as usual “Sweets,” and hope you are the same. I still miss you and love you as much as ever “Darling” and can hardly waite [sic] to be with you again. I’ve answered your mother’s letter already and asked for their consent to get engaged. I just couldn’t keep it any longer and waiting doesn’t help me any. It will be grand to get engaged to you “Darling,” although I did want to be there but waiting to get back is too much to do. Don’t you think so? We can plan every [Page 2] thing when I return though can’t we? As I told your mother, I don’t intend to get married while being in the Army. Of course, “Sweets” I want your opinion too and we can plan everything as time goes along. I shall though, waite for your mother’s and father’s decisions and what they think, will be right? If they do give their consent here is what I’m going to do? [sic] I’m going to have Helen send you a hundred and fifty dollars to get an engagement ring and a wedding ring. You may think it will be a lot but it will be worthwhile to get good ones. I’d like the wedding ring to be plain for if there are small diamonds in it, they may fall out when you least expect them to. I’m not trying to discourage you on [Page 3] the one you like and I shall let you decide. I don’t want you to be hasty in any of your decisions and really piece them together. I’m really excited as much as you are “Sweets” and who wouldn’t be? I repeat, that I wish I were there to tell you all I have written and will someday if you want me to. I always did want a wedding ring that matched the ones of the girl I marry, with her buying it from her own earnings. In that way, I always shall cherish it and appreciate it, more, than anyone will ever know. I may be asking for a lot but it will be something I shall never forget. This is only my opinion and when we can plan all of this together everything will be to our liking. I don’t intend to come to conclusions until I hear of what your folks think and [Page 4] I shall not be discouraged if they want us to waite [sic] and as time goes on, let them know of our plans. They shall be very helpful with their suggestions of our plans. Don’t you think so? I shall tell Helen to waite till she hears from you whether to send you the money to get the rings or not. I will not tell anyone else till I hear from you and your folks. Well “Darling” I shall close being excited, as we are and hope to hear from you real soon. �Yours forever With Loads of Love & Kisses, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Gave away one of my biggest secrets didn’t it? Helen has my bank book and is taking care of my money for me. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-04-14 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1944-04-14 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 14, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 14, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the heartfelt news that he wrote to her mother asking for Agnes' hand in marriage, as he is unable to keep his secret from her any longer. He writes with great excitement over planning their future together, awaiting her parents' decision and Agnes' response in the days ahead. 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