Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 22, 1943
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
Africa, North
Motion pictures--1940-1950
Ameche, Don
Bennett, Joan, 1910-1990
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 22, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and discusses the most recent movies he has seen including "The Amazing Mrs. Holliday" and another starring Don Ameche and Joan Bennett.
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, May 23, 1942
Fort Benning (Ga.)
Furloughs
Military maneuvers
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 23, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated May 23, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while reasuring her of his responsibilities at Fort Benning, including being on Charge of Quarters and maneuvers when he has little time to write, and his down time spent swimming at a nearby lake. He also writes of the furlough he hopes to be able to take and his encouragement over Agnes taking one of her own.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 24, 1943
Flying Tigers (Motion picture)
Fort Devens (Mass.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 24, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 27, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and discusses the most recent movies he has seen including ''The Flying Tigers" and "The Major and the Minor." He also expresses gratitude for living through his current campaign overseas and his hope to return to Fort Devens in the United States.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 24, 1944
Love letters
Wedding rings
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 24, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 26, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England as he is approaching his two year mark of being overseas. He is happily engaged to Agnes, dreaming of the day when they can make their future plans come true, and anxiously awaiting news of the wedding rings she has picked out for the two of them back home in the United States.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 26, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 26, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa May 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with excitement after receiving the good news of their wedding rings, wishing he was there to propose to her in person, and holding onto his faith to keep him strong while they are apart.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 27, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 27, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa May 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in England, full of excitement regarding their engagement and the news that Agnes successfully picked out their wedding rings.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 29, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 29, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa May 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after returning indoors from a softball game, reminiscing about the church service and movie he attended the day before entitled "Journey for Margaret." He also writes that Agnes is the girl of his dreams and how he looks forward to the happy day when they are together again.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 31, 1945
Concentration camps
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 31, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated June 1, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving one of her "long-expected letters" and a photograph with great relief. He writes of his great love for Agnes, despite the war that separated them, and how he never stops thinking of the day when he will return home to her now that the war in Europe is finally over.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 4, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 4, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 6, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes as he continues to wait patiently for Agnes' answer to his engagement proposal, explaining how much he misses her and how each month that passes by feels like another year they have spent apart from one another.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 4, 1945
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 4, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 6, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her first letter in nearly three weeks in addition to old letters from the time he spent wounded in the hospital. He also writes further on President Roosevelt's death and his experience overseas during that time, while also sharing his thoughts on Germany and concentration camps during the war.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 5, 1942
Camp Blanding (Fla.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 5, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 5, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after nearly running out of writing paper and fill sher in on the latest news, such as the letter he received from his brother at college and the special engraving on the bracelet he sent her.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 7, 1944
Weddings--Planning
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 7, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 8, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with great excitement after receiving her letter accepting his engagement proposal, dreaming of their future wedding and life together.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 8, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 8, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 9, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her letters and shares his excitement over Agnes receiving the gifts he sent her and his potential upcoming furlough, in addition to the day's events including a parade and preparing for inspection.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 8, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 8, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 10, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while thinking of her on a lovely day in England, sharing the news of his sister Helen's excitement over their engagement and her willingness to help them purchase their wedding rings. He also writes of his most recent visit to the movie theater to see the film "Thunder Bird" and how going to the movies is a great pastime for him while he is so far away from Agnes.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 1, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 1, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 6, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in Germany and shares his feelings regarding their future together, dreaming of the day he can put a ring on her finger and properly propose to the woman that he loves so dearly.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 10, 1943
V-mail
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 10, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 5, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes to express his gratitude upon receiving two of her letters and to share the news that he is no longer stationed in Sicily.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 11, 1943
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 11, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 13, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving letters from her and his family, covering subjects such as Agnes' potential visit to meet his family and his special request for another lock of her hair.
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 11, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 5, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes telling her of his love and affection for her and how he is patiently awaiting the new photographs she is planning to send to him.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 12, 1943
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 12, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 23, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes after receiving a few of her letters from an earlier time and informs her that the mail is being delayed after receiving her letters all at once.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 13, 1943
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 13, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 5, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes to let her know he hasn't received the package she sent and wonders if she received the three small packages he sent to her with love.
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 13, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 16, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes for the second time that day hoping she will send more pictures of herself and reflecting on his time as he approaches the three year mark of being in the Army and sixteen months of being overseas.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 13, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 13, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 16, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news that he received the card she sent from Grand Haven, Michigan and hopes to receive a "bushel of mail" from her to continue improving his morale. He also discusses his dream for future children and well-wishes for Agnes' mother and new baby sibling.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 14, 1943
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 14, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated November 23, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to let Agnes know he was pleased to receive two of her letters and the news that she received one of his packages containing souvenirs.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 15, 1943
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 15, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 5, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes while hoping for a break to return home and see her.