Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 30, 1944
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 30, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 3, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from an undisclosed location in Germany, sharing the reasoning behind his secrecy, and how nice it has been to be back with "the boys" after being away in the hospital for so long.
Olexa, Joseph P.
Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
In Copyright
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 28, 1944
Love letters
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 28, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated October 31, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in Germany, sharing how he looks forward to their marriage and living an enjoyable life together. He also writes about his hopes and prayers that he can one day forget about the war and return home to his beloved Agnes.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 25, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 25, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated October 28, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in Germany, dreaming of their future home together and holding onto his faith to keep him strong while they are oceans apart.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 22, 1944
Weddings--Planning
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 22, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated October 27, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in Germany and discusses various topics including the gift packages they have sent to one another, his experience being out of the hospital, and how he is growing tired of the war and being away from his loved ones.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 13, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 13, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated October 15, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving quite a few of her "loveable letters" while stationed in Germany. He writes that he looks forward to the day they can make their home together and live a happy, peaceful life, in addition to responding to her questions about honeymoon lake cottages and the names of their future children.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 6, 1944
V-mail
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 6, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated October 9, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes while stationed in Germany and shares the news that he received the photograph she sent of her new puppy, in addition to his family's anniversary pictures and letters from his buddies stationed in the Pacific.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 30, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 30, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated October 5, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes after receiving a letter from her mother, letting her know he appreciates the photographs she sent and how he longs to be with Agnes once again.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 29, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 29, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated October 10, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes to let her know he is still safe and well, although he is currently out of Air Mail stamps and will be writing V-Mails until he receives stamps from his sister, Helen, in the near future.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 10, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 10, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated September 11, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from France to let her know he is safe and healthy and traveling back to his old outfit in England. He also reminisces about the time they first met three years prior in Whalom and how happy he will be when they are together once again and able to build their life together.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 30, 1944
Grand Haven (Mich.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 30, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated September 6, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes as he looks forward to their future home together, in addition to receiving the package she sent with a watch and pen inside and the card from Grand Haven, Michigan.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 28, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 28, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 31, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to his future "wife to be" as he looks forward to their future together and while hoping that Agnes can help him to live in happiness once again after fighting in the war.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 24, 1944
Honeymoons
Motion pictures--1940-1950
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 24, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa August 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with great excitement as he daydreams of their future honeymoon and as he approaches his final week of recovery in the hospital. He also mentions the most recent films he has seen including "Thousands Cheer" and "The Cross of Lorraine."
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 20, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 20, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 23, 1944. In the letter, Joe expresses his appreciation for Agnes and her willingness to live wherever his work may take them upon returning back home to the United States, emphasizing his intentions to live as close to her family as possible. He also writes about his hopes for learning his new trade at school in Detroit or Grand Rapids and his dreams of their future honeymoon together.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 18, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 18, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 20, 1944. In the letter, Joe surprises himself by writing eight pages to Agnes, covering various topics such as their wedding plans, his impressions of the photographs she sent to him and how she has changed since he's been stationed overseas.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 14, 1944
Sad Sack
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 14, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 25, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after a few days have passed, daydreaming about spending their summer days together while going swimming and taking walks in the countryside.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 11, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 11, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K," Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 14, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sending along his latest hospital address and a request to the Postmaster allowing Anges to send him a package of personal care items. He also continues their discussion on wedding plans and the selection of their Best Man and Maid of Honor. As a side note, Joe accidentally dates this letter as "1942" instead of "1944," which he later mentions in his letter, dated August 28, 1944, and suggests thoughts of Agnes were the cause of his absent-mindedness.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 7, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 7, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K,"Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 10, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while daydreaming of their future together and thinking of her on a lovely sunny day. He also writes with news regarding his good friend in the Pacific, whom he hopes to have as his best man at their wedding one day.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 31, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 31, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K,"Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O. 514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 2, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with boosted morale after receiving six of her letters on the same day. He writes with great inspiration, looking forward to the day they are together and wearing civilian clothes once again, in addition to the most recent news regarding his family and their wedding plans.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 24, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 24, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, Co. "K,"A.P.O.-162, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 24, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while on the road to recovery in the hospital, using American Red Cross stationary and letting her know he is now located at another hospital where he will spend four additional weeks before returning to his outfit.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 15, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 15, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa July 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a lovely day as he recovers in the hospital, sharing the news that he has nearly recovered after three weeks in the hospital and can now walk with only a slight limp. He also mentions how much he misses her and her letters while being there.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 13, 1944
Purple Heart
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 13, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 15, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after a three day absence while recovering in the hosital, sharing the news that he is recovering rapidly and that he sent his Purple Heart medal home to his family.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 10, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 10, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 19, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes with updates from the hospital including his ability to walk without crutches and how he awaits receiving her letters once again.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 6, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 6, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 8, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while on the road to recovery in the hospital, using American Red Cross stationary and informing her of his well-being and the view from his hospital bed.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 5, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 5, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 14, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes while recovering in the hospital and thinking of their future together. Joe also mentions that he has been re-reading her old letters as he awaits his mail being forwarded to the hospital.