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[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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
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[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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
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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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
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[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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
-
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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b665807702861354749b332dc3c81d5c.pdf
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PDF Text
Text
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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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ce5357c014253f8fd3e389096e952023.pdf
0611880a29e329ba77cfb2a5299e385c
PDF Text
Text
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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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0bc03260bfe04620d49c87dba7936606.pdf
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PDF Text
Text
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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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
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[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
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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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7f609b8deb88cd4f91ae5d666c3833c6.pdf
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[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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
-
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[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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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
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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>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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