488 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fb271de08186e0d4586cf06a1d6b78de.pdf f8459a7aabfc667cfcea7e3fde4f4421 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bd224997c548144e77c8cc0d7cf58678.pdf 8e860eb6121aa557693d5064d81e41be PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-07-03] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 34770 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From S/Sgt. Joseph Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients (Sender’s name) 4187 U.S. Hosp. Plant (Sender’s address) A.P.O.-152 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. July 3, 1944. (Date) England Hello “Darling,” Still feeling fine and improving. We have books, magazines, and papers to read to pass away the time. We are treated swell too and the nurses are swell. I have two more clippings of Sad Sack that I will send later on. I can’t help but look at your lovely picture and “Darling” I keep wishing that I could be with you again. When that day comes I don’t think you’ll have any rest for I’ll want to hold you in my arms always. That’s going to be grand too because I can start making my last time and two years isn’t nothing to sneeze at. Of course “Darling” I don’t want to be a tease but still I may [be] getting anxious, ain’t I? [sic] Well, tomorrow is the 4th and I shall think of you. I guess you will go to that amusement park and I hope you will have a nice time there. Anyway, I can be with you in your thoughts and if not young lady, I’ll think you’re an awful meanie. Ha! Ha! Will close hoping to hear from you real soon. Yours Always With Loads of Love “Joe” {Signature accent mark} �{V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JUL 10 6 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � 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_1944-07-03 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 1944-07-03 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 3, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 3, 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 10, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes while recovering in the hospital, sharing how he passes the time reading and admiring her photograph at his bedside. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Sad Sack Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/659834159cc07f9f7aef014d4335823d.pdf a8f9064a20f887f91729559319217df8 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f85ec421309c435e17902837281742c9.pdf 08231b81fd7634c1f06badf3ea6e53bf PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-07-30] [Page 1] Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1209 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. July 30, 1942 Dear Agnes, Rec’d your two letters and was glad to hear from you. We are ready to leave this place and where we are going is not known. When I reach to wherever we are going, I shall write to you as soon as I can. Our addresses will be the same through N.Y.C. I’ve forgiven you “sweet,” and remember to be patient if [Page 2] you shouldn’t hear from me right away. I haven’t heard from home as yet but it’s only been a short while. My sister, Nellie, doesn’t live in Detroit but is there taking up an Advanced Beauty Course. [sic] Her husband works drilling gas wells and they travel in New York, Penn., and W. Virginia. Well “sweet” since we are moving again, I still won’t get to see you but I’ll think of you. How’s ‘at? Well, I kinda had an [Page 3] idea my “cutie-pie” was a two-timing me. Wait till I see her again? I’ve got some more coupons for Beasie and was a wondering whether she will get up enough ambition to write as she had promised. I was surprised to hear the State Guard made that much money from the dance. What did they do? Draft outsiders! Ha! Ha! Well “honey” I thought of you every nite [sic] and I haven’t been a slacker. After a while women will be as thick as flies in the [Page 4] place where you work. Eh! Ha! Ha! Ollie will be in the Army someday and then we will be even. Mostly him with that glass arm. How are you folks? Give them my regards, won’t you? �Well “honey” as usual I can’t seem to find things to write so I shall close and in the meantime be thinking of you. Sincerely yours, With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. I’ll try very hard the next time to write a long letter “sweet.” I usually run out of brains, anyway. [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1209 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. {Postmark} LEBANON, PA. JUL 30 7:30 PM 1942 Free {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-07-30 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 1942-07-30 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 30, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 30, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 30, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while anticipating his Army division's next move and reassures her that he will write as soon as he arrives at their new location. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2599854a853e0e4baee092e6ca6c8c28.pdf a60e69d75bdea46d5e251ed34edc88ee PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0463d92b11b48360508607bfd19d9ddc.pdf 980a325cbd8cbcf95a077cf62c30f030 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-07-31] [Page 1 - front] Co. “K” Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. 514-A c/o PM. N.Y., N.Y. July 31, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Rec’d six of your letters today and was very pleased to get them. The latest letter was dated 13th of July. I’m feeling fine and I’m as good as ever. My moral is 100% since I got your letters and they have made me very happy. I love you as much as ever “Darling” and still miss you very, very much. I can hardly waite [sic] for the day to come when I shall get back and that day will be grand, being with you again. You bet, I’ll be glad to get into civilian clothes again and it sure has been a long time since I wore them. I cannot tell you of my wounds because of censorship but maybe someday I may be able to. It is nothing serious, so you needn’t worry. I was surprised to hear that Ollie got married. Well, I’m the only one of the boys in the family that’s single now but I won’t be long when I get back if you want me? Ha! Ha! Just kidding. I know we shall be very happy “Darling” and no other girl shall ever take your place. Anyway, I’m not interested in them because I have you. Yes, “Darling” I think it’s sweet of you to have your hair long and I shan’t forget it [Page 1 - back] either. I haven’t rec’d any of the packages you mentioned as of yet but when I do, I’ll let you know. The pen and the watch will be very useful too. Ollie won’t miss that little amount of money that was stolen on him because he’s plenty of it and makes more in a week than I do in a month. You bet he and Janice are lucky this war isn’t interfering with them and he doesn’t know how fortunate he is. I also got some mail from home and some from Helen. I’d send you Helen’s letter about meeting you but it’s an eight page letter and it’s pretty bulky to send. However “Darling” she is very pleased and likes you a lot. She says she wants you to visit her more than ever now since she met you. My folks always write about you “Darling” and are very pleased saying you are very nice. I hope that you shall be able to read this letter for I am writing small and this paper is none too good. Wish your packages would get here so I can write with good paper. I was very pleased to hear everyone had a good time at the Wedding Anniversary. [sic] I sure did wish that I could have been there too. I am very anxious to see your rings “Sweets” and Helen said they were really nice. I don’t know when I shall get to go home and when I’m fully recovered, I shall go back to my outfit. I really miss the boys for I’ve been with them so long that it’s just like a big family. [Page 2 - front] Since you’re mentioned about sending me some pictures, I am getting to be impatient for I’m anxious to see them. Bad ain’t I? Women are the worse when they get together to shoot the �breeze but men are not as bad. Ha! Ha! Women gossip too much. Yes, Darling that nurse resembled you a lot but she was a lot taller than what you are. She was very nice too. But, I wasn’t interested having a swell girl like you. Don’t you think, I’m good. [sic] At times when I think of you I sure could bite your ears and pull your curls and it will be a wonderful day for me when I can do that. Of course you may have to suffer but I won’t feel it. Ha! Ha! Did you get the two letters I wrote to you while I was in France? I was just wondering for you didn’t mention anything about them. I hope you will get them and answer the questions I asked in them. Where would you like to live after we are married? I wrote in my letter from France whether you would want a small wedding or not? The reason being that if I’m still in the Army, I’d have to get permission and if I got a furlough of 20 days it wouldn’t be long enough. Now days in Michigan you have to take a blood test which requires about a twenty day waite [sic] and up to three days for a marriage license. I could get a blood test here at the Medic’s providing I was back there and send it to you, before I went on furlough. Then you could take one and get the marriage license [Page 2 - back] before I got there. Another thing is to prepare for the wedding, getting the certain few we want to attend. Boy, it is a problem isn’t it? But “Darling,” whatever you think and plan will be alright with me. If we plan this now it will be much easier for us when I get there won’t it? Well, I shall waite [sic] for your answer and don’t forget to write about it? Will you? How are your folks these days? Give them my best regards and tell them I’m as fit as a fiddle? Will close for this time “Darling” and write real soon. Loads of hugs and kisses, with all my love to you. Yours forever, “Joe “ {Signature accent mark} PS. If you can’t read this letter blame it on the paper. Ha! Ha! [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “K,” Det. of Patients 4167 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. 514-A c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 514 AUG 2 1944 A.P.O. �U.S. POSTAGE 6¢ VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 09087 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � 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_1944-07-31 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 1944-07-31 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 31, 1944 Description An account of the resource 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. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Weddings--Planning Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bf982407df4a9159c33311c3116e6688.pdf 642a6809fc8f5fa4c619369a50a89fa6 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5eb7b32892f89e2ab37964555e977b73.pdf 023ce224706b3c091c56c4059807e5ed PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-07-04] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} Lt. [?] To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From S/Sgt. Joseph Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients (Sender’s name) 4187 U.S. Hosp. Plant (Sender’s address) A.P.O.-152 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. July 4, 1944. (Date) England Hello “Darling,” I shan’t mention what day this is but I sure have thought of you all day today. It’s two years today that I saw you last and how I did wish that I could be with you. As I write memories of the 4th I spent with you flash through my mind. Well “Darling” when I get back, we sure can have swell times like that one and maybe better. I was awarded the “Purple Heart” for wounds received in action. I’m sending it home and hope that you will get a chance to see it. I guess your Dad can give you a description of it if you haven’t saw a picture of it. [sic] I’m still coming along fine and at this rate it won’t be long till I’m fully recovered. Well “Sugar” I shall close and my thoughts are ever of you. Don’t forget to write as often as you can? Yours Always With Loads of Love, “Joe “ PS. Give my best regards to everyone? {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JUL 13 8 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � 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_1944-07-04 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 1944-07-04 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 4, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 4, 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 13, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes on the Fourth of July, a day that holds additional significance as the last day they were together before their two years apart. He also writes with the news that he has been awarded the "Purple Heart" medal for being wounded in action and will be sending it home to his family for safekeeping. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Fourth of July Purple Heart Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/47ba8a1ba30a8336684be5848cf2cbab.pdf a171ecdb017421951de30ddfdf2ebd41 PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/dfa91607f141376d258c9b5736f2aec3.pdf bedf53724ff421fb77e46b4166d9b3b8 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-07-05] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 34770 [?] U.S. ARMY EXAMINER To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From S/Sgt. Joseph Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients (Sender’s name) 4187 U.S. Hosp. Plant (Sender’s address) A.P.O.-152 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. July 5, 1944. (Date) England Hello “Darling,” My thoughts of you never seem to cease and keep wishing that we could be together again. My love for you “Darling” makes me think of the grand times we had together and that our future will be even better. Our hopes and desires will come to life and then we shall be happy. Until then we shall have to be patient which no doubt is just what we are doing. I’m still anxious to get your letters for I miss them very much. However I still re-read your other letters I managed to carry and they are a great help. How are your folks? Don’t forget to give them a Hello for me, won’t you? Well “Darling” I don’t have anything else to write so I shall close hoping to hear from you real soon. Yours Always With Loads of Love & Kisses “Joe” {Signature accent mark} {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JUL 14 10:30 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � 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_1944-07-05 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 1944-07-05 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 5, 1944 Description An account of the resource 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. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/94c8a269dc6466481f79989661c86d46.pdf a6c11d8e158c89d120e31c0be7d63deb PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/07106fabfa4bb56038cb0a85a5689961.pdf bed14d70f8a2f540879d35a8cbdb08b8 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-07-06] [Page 1 - front] {Stationary letterhead} CORPORAL JOE OLEXA Co. “L,” 26th Infantry [text strikethrough] {1st Infantry Division} U.S. Infantry A.P.O. #1209 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. July 6, 1942. Hello “Honey,” Arrived here O.K. but plenty tired and sleepy. It took us 10 hours from Boston which isn’t bad with a train. I got into Harrisburg at 4 o’clock Monday morning and of all things there were so many soldiers waiting for a bus, that I was convinced for a long while that I would miss “reveille.” I tried to get a taxi but no soap, then I went back and stood in line for a bus. I guess, every bus in Harrisburg was in use taking the soldiers to camp. Anyway, I got here 3 minutes before reveille which is at 5:50 and I’m not kidding. I’m still tired and sleepy and only a half a day to do duty, then to bed. Well, sweet I don’t know when I shall get another chance to see you again and when I do, I’ll let you know. Anyway, [text strikethrough] we both got to see each other even though it was for a few [Page 1 - back] hours. Do you know that I didn’t get to set [sic] with you under the apple tree, sweet? That makes me disappointed too. I guess that was because of us both trying to crowd in most everything in the small amount of time we had together. Ha! Ha! “Ain’t” I right? I also forgot to thank your father for letting us have the car and I’ll bet he thought I was pretty rude and I admit it was. Don’t forget to thank him for me, won’t you? I probably had somebody on my mind who, by the way, was with me that afternoon. Ha! Ha! Don’t forget “sweet” to send me the pictures when your folks get them, so I can see how they came out? I’m not going to re-read my letter to you, so excuse the mistakes for my bunk seems to reach out every once in a while to crab me. Ha! Ha! [sic] �I thought I would have a letter from home when I got here but I was fooled. I got a card from my buddy in Texas though and that was something. I have 4 coupons for Beasie so don’t forget to give them to her. Where was that special hug and kiss I [Page 2 - front] {Stationary letterhead} CORPORAL JOE OLEXA Co. “L,” 26th Infantry 1st Infantry Division was supposed to get? Huh!!! I’m going to charge a six percent interest for your forgettable ability, on “demand,” the next time I get up that way. How’s ‘at? Ha! Ha! I had a swell time, only it wasn’t a long enough of a stay, so I hope it's longer the next time. [sic] I almost forgot to tell you that my friend came just after you left and it wasn’t long after that the train pulled out. Everything was O.K. except my hair, isn’t that right. Now don’t think up a lot of fault about me, just to be a meany. I cannot use the envelopes that you sent to me for it gives our outfit away, so I cannot use them. I save them though just in case. [sic] I guess the Wenneburg’s [?] got their eyes full for once and I’ll bet their awful curious. Hope they got their “bellies” full. Ha! Ha! Now don’t get the idea if I don’t answer or write a long letter on time that I’m in a hurry to go somewhere. Maybe sometime I won’t be able to [Page 2 - back] write and which will be reasonable enough. This isn’t a slam, either. Ha!! I started your letter this noon but couldn’t finish it because of a hike so now the day is done. Will close “sweet,” and write soon. Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Give the folks my regards. There will be no special trains on weekends anymore on the account of men being A.W.O.L. This was announced this noon but I hope that we shall have them again. �P.S.S. Remember to put down the address I gave you and not the way I have it on the letter. [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa (12016893) United States Infantry A.P.O. #1209 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. {Postmark} INDIANTOWN GAP JUL 7 12 PM 1942 PA. FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-07-06 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 1942-07-06 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 6, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 6, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 7, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after a whirlwind visit together for a few hours and shares the details of his return back to camp in Pennsylvania. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Pa.) Furloughs Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/dbda418208a9892d4707cf7067605a2d.pdf a3b98ffc6e3747896e505906478ff9a8 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7e613bff5ce4b7523f4d1b43668db845.pdf 2e72626f4a3389ecc3886a766b28b350 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-07-06] [Page 1] {Letterhead featuring the words “AMERICAN RED CROSS” and their red cross emblem} S/Sgt. Joseph Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4187 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 152 c/o PM – N.Y. N.Y. July 6, 1944. Hello “Darling,” I’ve decided to write a short letter so I could send you the two clippings I’ve got. Well “Darling” I’m well on the road to recovery and still feeling swell. I thank God that they aren’t too serious. It’s lovely out today but I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t out to rain a little. [sic] From where I’m writing I can see a few large trees, a field of wheat and a small hay stack. Wish I could take a stroll out of that way with no worry at all but to think of you. I still love you as much as ever “Darling” and miss you more than anyone would know. I still waite [sic] for the day when we shall be together again. I’m quite anxious to get our future plans all settled, aren’t you? I could go for a little teasing right now and pull them pretty curls of yours. That would suit me just fine. Ha! Ha! Ain’t I getting terrible? Well “Darling” you’re to blame for getting [Page 2] me this way so you’ll have to suffer some of the consequences. Ha! Ha! Now I’m really bad, ain’t I? I have not as yet rec’d your letters but expect too real soon. [sic] Then maybe I can write a much longer letter. Did you have a good time 4th of July? If you didn’t it’s your own fault. Ha! Ha! A couple of days ago we had some English entertainers put on [a] show for us and it was really good. We also had some boys put on an act of “Robin Hood” and I must say the boys knew their parts well. They ranged in age to my estimation from 10-13 years old. This darn pen is getting me mad. It scratches more than it writes. Will close for now with all my love to you. Yours forever, With Loads of Hugs & Kisses, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Write real soon. [Envelope front] �S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients 4187 U.S. Hosp. Plant A.P.O. – 152 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 152 JUL 8 1944 A.P.O. U.S. POSTAGE 6¢ VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 34734 [?] U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] � 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_1944-07-06 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 1944-07-06 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 6, 1944 Description An account of the resource 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. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bb45a74cda28d23920f90a817b143c8f.pdf 94244a3f731119a44c29024560125602 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ebfe267ae25ba4400e4668bbad8011f6.pdf 550da30502f097f897a4ee9094ec219d PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-07-07] [Page 1 - front] {Stationary letterhead} CORPORAL JOE OLEXA (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry [text strikethrough] {1st Infantry Division} A.P.O. - 1209 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. July 7, 1942 Dear “Sweets,” Here I am again today refreshed some [sic] because of a good night’s sleep. We had to put on a demonstration today for the Battalion out in the combat range. We were commented on our good work and that’s O.K. Although, we got bruised up a lot from hitting the ground. I heard today “sweet” that we will get our mail that is sent to us at our new destination. This is going to knock down my morale a little, if it’s true. That’s going to be fun writing ain’t it. I just got thru [sic] reading your letters over and found that I did answer your questions while I was there. Well, how are you making out since I left, “sweet.” You haven’t forgotten about me already, have you? Ha! Ha! I haven’t in case you want to know. There isn’t much that happens around here anymore of interest for you to get a laugh at. [Page 1 - back] Little Margie is the same and just about as crazy as ever. Punchy got a phone call from his girl in North Carolina and is going around strutting his stuff. Claypool was asking about his little girl Gloria and I sure told him she missed him. Ha! Ha! He really believes it too. I’ve bought all of my supplies such as razor blades, tooth paste, [tooth] brushes, and so forth to last me for quite a long time. I had enough ambition last nite [sic] to wash the two sets of clothes I got dirty riding on the train. I plan to press them tonite [sic] if I have the time. There is no laundry going out so I’m my own wash lady and presser. I haven’t heard from home as yet and I’ve come to the conclusion that they sure must be dead up that way. I’ve written to my brother Johnny though and maybe he’ll have a little news when I hear from him. �I had a pint of ice cream all by myself before I started to write and the first thing I thought of was “you.” Did your folks stop in at “Eddies” after they left the station? Don’t forget to give them my best regards? [Page 2 - front] {Stationary letterhead} CORPORAL JOE OLEXA Co. “L,” 26th Infantry [text strikethrough] {1st Infantry Division} I hope that the Army will continue the special trains so I can get up that way again. Don’t you? Did the Wenneburgs [?] break their necks trying to find out where I came from and where I’m at? One thing about them is that they have elephant ears and rubber necks which are very noticeable. I suppose you are disgusted again “sweet” of my writing in pencil but I can’t help it if the pen I have and others blot so much. I’ve got 2 more coupons for “Beasie” and will send them in this letter. If I can round up more I’ll send them to her. Well, “honey” it seems like ages since I saw you last and here it is only Tuesday. I’ll blame you for that. Ha! Ha! Roy goes home every nite [sic], at least that’s what I hear from another friend of his. Anyway, I’m glad to know just what kind of a fellow he turned out to be. I know why you roll around in bed, sugar? [sic] It’s because of your thinking of me, all of the time. (A little birdie told me) Ha! Ha! Don’t tell me I’m wrong or am I? Ha! Ha! [Page 2 - back] I’m almost getting to the end of the rope for things to write so now I’ll have to think harder. “AH!!” “I got it!!” I didn’t get that souvenir from you and I’m very disappointed. This time for your forgettable ability I’m charging 12 percent. No ifs, buts or ands, either. Well sweet I’m at the end of the rope so I shall close and don’t forget to write soon. Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. I’ve answered your 2 letters already, ain’t I improving a little, sweet? Hope that candy didn’t make you sick? Or were the kids at it when you were gone? �[Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry [text strikethrough] {1st Infantry Division} A.P.O. - 1209 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. {Postmark} INDIANTOWN GAP JUL [?] 12 PM 1942 PA. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-07-07 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 1942-07-07 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 7, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 7, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes hoping to learn how she's been since they last saw each other and his hopes for the Army to continue their special train routes so he can visit again one day. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Pa.) Furloughs Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/db66e0c7b20b01c320373afd47cc96fb.pdf df3397dd056c61d1451a248179ff21a2 PDF Text Text ������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/10f694f8eecebe86df21100bc50d1473.pdf 60c6bdb221239411e1e5367b300ff6d9 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-06-14] [Page 1 - front] Co. L, 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. Fort Benning, Georgia June 14, 1942 Hello Sweet, Rec’d your two letters and am sorry I hadn’t had the time to answer sooner. The maneuvers are over and we expect to leave here about Wednesday. I don’t know where we are going but will drop you a line when we get there. I hope that I shall be able to get a furlough then also. Don’t you hope so too? Yesterday it poured and the water sure did run all around. Most of my clothes in the Barracks bag got wet so I put them out to dry today. [Page 1 - back] I also went swimming today and the water was swell. Most of the time around here it’s so hot that a person gets lazy and don’t want to do anything. [sic] We usually get all wet from sweat in no time while hiking. I haven’t heard from Ollie which isn’t unusual since I wrote to him last when we came here. I got a letter from my sister stating that he had to appear before the draft board for a physical exam. Whether he is in the Army or not I don’t know. So, my young lady is going to be selfish and not share the million she’s going to make, “Eh!” [Page 2 - front] Well, when I make mine you won’t get any of it, neither. Ha! Ha! That boyfriend of Carolyn’s must have a lot of nerve to go up there in the condition he was in. It takes only one soldier such as he, to make people think and have the wrong impression of the Army. So, you haven’t gone swimming as yet, well young lady, I sure can throw you in, so you better not refuse if I get a furlough and want to go. The Army always says, these aren’t threatening words but a word to the [Page 2 - back] �wise is sufficient. Ha! Ha! Everybody is good when they sleep sweetness, so the other time is unaccounted for. Ha! Ha! Worry makes gray hair, so worrying isn’t in my line. If the grass under the apple is getting big, it will be a good place for me to grab some sleep while you’re working and also to keep the neighbors from gossiping. Ha! Ha! The flies and the sand fleas drive a fellow crazy around here. No one can set [sic] in peace till it’s time to go to bed. I gave up hopes of hearing from Gloria but I’ll get even with her [Page 3 - front] when I get my furlough. I’ll demand the debt she owes me and if she doesn’t cough up, I’ll give her an old-fashioned spanking. Roy is about the same and comes around once in a while for a short talk, then off he goes. Must be he has ants in his pants or something. Ha! Ha! I’m on Charge of Quarters tomorrow and I’m going to the show tonite [sic] since it's going to be torn down Tuesday and I won’t be able to go while on C.Q. We have one show nitely [sic] starting at 9:45 and ending 11:45. [Page 3 - back] It’s an open-air show with more soldiers getting in around the canvas wall than there are paying to see it. We set [sic] on the ground most of the time and if we are lucky to find a box [?] to take, so much the better. Well sugar, I will close and will write when I get to our new destination. Adios Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Hope it’s Devens, don’t you? Ha! Ha! [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. - 1 Fort Benning, Georgia �{Postmark} COLUMBUS, G.A. JUN 15 11 - PM 1942 FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-06-14 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 1942-06-14 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 14, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 14, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 15, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her letters and experiencing a delay in his response due to military maneuvers. He also writes about his upcoming move and hopes of receiving a furlough, and the open-air show that he hopes to attend that evening. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Fort Benning (Ga.) Furloughs Military maneuvers Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/381050c6723f790115b941b578bd4f5b.pdf 2146bf620226916f17b2177050018b22 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f9730911f3bb83dba2fabaf196270bfa.pdf 225328ff8697052142c21df1e78ad3b7 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-06-14] [Page 1 - front] Somewhere in France June 14, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Got two of your letters and was very pleased to get them. I guess, I’ve read them fifty times or more already. I am very anxious to hear about your visit with my folks and hope you had a grand time. I also got a letter from Helen saying that she would be up home. Did you see her? I hope you did? [sic] You needn’t worry none about me Darling for I’m still safe and in good health. I also agree that it is a big problem to have a wedding especially when there are so many relatives. [Page 1 - back] That puts us both up in a tree, doesn’t it? I guess it would be best to get married if I get a long enough furlough but the Michigan law states that people getting married must have a blood-test. This takes from 10 to 20 days and I would get mad if I got a short furlough and a marriage license requires a 3 day wait making up to 23 days in all. Not unless you can make out the marriage license before I get there on furlough for I can get a blood test in the Army and send it to you then you can get yours. You have to show the certificates while getting the license. [Page 2 - front] Do you think we can arrange a small wedding when I get there? I hope we can but if we can’t, we can get married anyway without one. I’ll leave this up to you and then you can give me your opinion. Darling, I sure wish that I could be there with you to plan this but we’ll have to plan now since I’m not there. Well, Darling, I still miss you as much as ever and love you more than anything else in this world. Each day that goes by brings me closer to you and with God’s help I shall waite [sic] for that day to come. How are your folks? [Page 2 - back] Don’t forget to give them my best regards and Hello? [sic] Will close this time hoping to hear from you again real soon. Yours Always, With Loads of Love & Kisses, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Excuse the writing and paper for it’s the best I have. �[Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY 1 B.P.O. [?] JUN 25 1944 A.P.O. POSTAL SERVICE Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-06-14 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 1944-06-14 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 14, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 14, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated June 25, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from an unidentified location in France as he anxiously awaits the news of her visit with his family back home in Michigan. He also discusses some of their initial wedding plans including his potential furlough from the U.S. Army, their marriage license, and hope for a small wedding. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Weddings--Planning Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9e58822fcad7aac126e350052876af08.pdf 7dc52445b11279b7a3fbb52aa180877f PDF Text Text ������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bb9bd044e0b58c2c460dbb84ee5c096b.pdf fc8390f43998c3ca913133d733752db9 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-06-19] [Page 1 - front] Co. “L,” 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Indian Town Gap, Military Res. Pennsylvania June 19, 1942. Dear Agnes, Got your letter today which was transferred here. We left Georgia Wednesday and got hear [sic] early this morning. This place is very nice and too good to be true. There are a few big cities around here such as Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Reading, and a couple of others where we can go for recreation. It’s much cooler up north here than down in Georgia and I don’t mean maybe. We had a good trip coming up but it got tiresome riding. [Page 1 - back] The maneuvers came out O.K. but I am not to write or talk about it. In fact, I’m not allowed to give any information about anything. Our letters will be censored from now on and by the looks of things something is a cooking in the pot. [sic] I hope that when we get straightened around, that the Army will give us a furlough. Anyway, I am counting on it. The trains out of Harrisburg for New York are speedy and it takes about 4 hours and from New York to Boston it’s about 6 hours. It takes about 14 hours to Detroit too so I’m going to try and visit you and at home [Page 2 - front] but one can never tell on how many days I shall get. So, sweetness, you haven’t been swimming yet? “Eh!” Well, I’ll be the one who's going to throw you in then, clothes and all. Ha! Ha! Now don’t give me an alibi about you working and don’t have much time. Women make up more excuses than a barrel of wheat. Ha! Ha! Your hair better be pretty and bushy on the sides or I’ll chew on your nose. I’m going to chew your ears sweet, so I might as well chew on your nose too. Ha! Ha! Roy lives about 30 miles from here and what a [Page 2 - back] lucky man he is. He went home tonite [sic] for a visit. He also showed me another picture of his future wife by mail and I must admit, she is very nice. �Did you hear from my brother Ollie as yet? [sic] I haven’t in 4 ½ weeks and that makes me mad. He’ll probably write saying I owe him a letter. That’s the way it goes when I hear from him. Well, I haven’t heard from my Chick-a-dee and I guess I’ll have to get even with her, too, providing I get a furlough. How’s your mother’s garden nowadays, has she got any red radishes planted? [Page 3 - front] Well if she has, I can maneuver in them pretty good with a salt shaker to boot! Ha! Ha! How’s the apple tree, sweet? Think you’ll make a go of it, till I get there? Ha! Ha! Ain’t I mean. So, you call four months a long time, “Eh”! That’s just a drop in the bucket for me. It seems like a week ago that I left Ft. Devens. Time flies by in the Army. Forgot to tell you my hair is still cut short and it sure is a relief during the hot summer months. I never told you how good of a swimmer I am, did I, sweet? Well, I dive like a feather and swim [Page 3 - back] like a concrete rock. Ha! Ha! That’s swimming, ain’t it? Well sugar I will close and don’t forget to write real soon. Give my regards to the folks and stick your tongue out at Gloria for me, just to let her know I’m thinking of her. Ha! Ha! Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. I hope to get my furlough for the fourth of July but that can be a disappointment too. [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. L, 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Indian Town Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania U.S. Army �{Postmark} INDIANTOWN GAP JUN 20 12 PM 1942 PA. FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-06-19 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 1942-06-19 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 19, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 19, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 20, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon arriving in Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in Pennsylvania and discusses how his letters will be censored from then on, in addition to the cooler temperatures up north. He continues to write about his hopes for a furlough and the convenient travel options out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Pa.) Furloughs Military maneuvers Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c5f09a59209a78fecd781a0b39dd2ba0.pdf 4e36f7a0cebe938fe4cce8c1f8ee1f6b PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2daf1b759e94ebc685dd7989b83392fc.pdf a66cebf30eb3430a7ee0b17767e424be PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-06-21] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. {Date stamp} 22 JUN 1944 From 12016893 Sgt. Joseph Olexa (Sender’s name) Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. – 1 (Sender’s address) c/o PM. - New York, N.Y. June 21, 1944. (Date) Hello “Darling,” Writing to let you know I got 5 of your [?] welcomed letters the latest one dated June 6th. I was very pleased and happy to hear you had a grand time at home and meeting the rest of the family. I know they enjoyed your company and they think you’re grand. Well “Darling,” I still love you as much as ever and miss you very, very much. I wish I could be with you to get those hugs you wrote about and will expect them when I return. The picture you sent in your Easter outfit was swell even if it wasn’t clear. At least My Darling looked very pretty and becoming in it. I shall anxiously wait for the other pictures to arrive. I shall let you know when I get the package you sent and will write as often as I can. The roses here are very big and pretty, there are also a lot of “Carnations” and “Gardenias” [sic] and I sure wished I could pick them for you. Will close with all my love for you. Yours Always, With Loads of Kisses, �Joe {Signature accent mark} {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JUL 3 1 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � 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_1944-06-21 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 1944-06-21 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 21, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 21, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 3, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes letting her know he received five of her latest letters and the photograph of her dressed up for Easter, which he enjoyed along with the news of Agnes meeting the rest of his family. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/76a02cdfc5a7b26c22404ac00b361b33.pdf b683799153967ae218f64635c8dc6c78 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f005cd2da6c677343b685a3d4d565dd5.pdf f36c5206b5f956b29ffca97be1d00577 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-06-24] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} INDIANTOWN GAP MILITARY RESERVATION PENNSYLVANIA June 24, 1942 Hello Sweet, Rec’d your letter and the card you sent to me and was pleased to hear from you. I had some ice cream for supper and since you weren’t here to get your share, I ate it for you. It was really good, too. So, you lost 12 pounds working, “Eh”! I’ll bet you did. In fact, you may have gained that much. Ha! Ha! Listen, “sweet,” I know all about the old-fashioned spankings, so don’t fool yourself. I got quite a few myself. Ha! Ha! We are going to have a blackout tonite which will last all nite, so it doesn’t handicap us much. [sic] I’ll bet you were brave when that storm was a going on. I just can imagine your bravery, with your head under the covers, hoping that [Page 2] the storm would go away. Ha! Ha! All of the while I was thinking that you were taking care of cutting the grass under the apple tree and now I’ve come to the conclusion that it wasn’t cared for at all. My! My! Women sure have a lot of ambition. Ha! Ha! You don’t mean to tell me, “sweet,” that you’re forgetting of what I look like already, do you? What next? Ha! Ha! Roy don’t speak to me now since we came here. He goes home every time he gets a chance. I don’t think that I shall go to his home, so, don’t worry none. By the way, there are a lot of Dutch gals down here and pretty too. Ha! Ha! I’ll have to be careful or they might kidnap me someday. We have a highway about a block from here and they ride up and down, waving at the soldiers. What do you think of that, “sweet”? I didn’t get the package with your letter but I probably will get it tomorrow. Incidentally, dear, that card was a good one and you hit my [Page 3] {Stationary letterhead} �INDIANTOWN GAP MILITARY RESERVATION PENNSYLVANIA excuses of not writing on the head. Ha! Ha! Women are hard-hearted not to see both sides of the story, anyway. Ha! Ha! My chances are pretty slim at present of getting a furlough. Isn’t that mean, Sugar? All I can do is hope. Well, if I don’t get one, you ought to come down, but since you are a working girl now, you can’t get the time. Well, that’s life with its ups and downs ain’t it, sweet? No, I don’t think we will go back to Devens but it would be a miracle if we did. I haven’t heard from my brother Ollie and I’m not writing to find out anything that happens up that way. It gets me mad to wait so long for him to write, which happens every time. I got a letter from my other brother who was at college and he is out to where we used to [Page 4] live near Buffalo. So, my Chick-a-dee doesn’t feel well every time she comes home. Well, tell her to stop daydreaming. Ha! Ha! Well “sweet,” I will close and don’t forget to write real soon. Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Be good and get up some ambition to cut that grass, sometime. [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Indian Town Gap Military Reservation Pennsylvania {Postmark} INDIANTOWN GAP JUN 24 12 PM 1942 PA. �FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-06-24 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 1942-06-24 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 24, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 24, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 24, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes ahead of having a "blackout" at the military reservation that evening and discusses various subjects including his hopes for a furlough and how it would be a miracle to return to Fort Devens. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Pa.) Furloughs Fort Devens (Mass.) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/cac6e2699d3eb5b9b9026d05c2277fc3.pdf 414c5cf2b2bb4c97d84bf160434d3356 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6d37a6b6136b1454536fb77cc1cc4c7a.pdf 62621d2842329f27fc497ad5ec467f35 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-06-25] [Page 1 - front] {Stationary letterhead} CORPORAL JOE OLEXA Co. “L,” 26th Infantry 1st Infantry Division Indian Town Gap Military Reservation Pennsylvania June 25, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter and the package. Thanks, sweet, I’ll remember you too sometime again. The candy was melted and crushed but it was good. I sure was surprised to see my name and address on the paper. We had to get rid of our identification of property that had our regiment and division stamped on it. I hope that I can use up most of this writing paper while we are here. We can never tell when we shall leave from here anyway. The Army is having a train for the soldiers on weekends to go home, if they live in New York City. That wouldn’t be enough time for me to go up to see you and that’s the way luck runs for me. Ain’t that the card though, “sweet.” When Roy comes around now he just ignores me and all of the time I thought he was a friend of mine. There is a very old saying that [Page 1 - back] I look upon and it goes like this. The truth, always, comes out somehow. Well, that’s so much of that. [sic] You know “sweet,” a girl looks natural when she has nice bushy hair and the way some of these girls nowadays [sic] have their hair reminds me of an old mop. I may be fussy but if they wear it that way it’s none of my business. I should say, you are getting lazy going to bed after supper. Seems as though women have a life of leisure. Ha! Ha! If I get a furlough, I’ll come up to see you first, “sweet.” What do you think of that? I’m just about as far from Buffalo as I am from Fitchburg so that isn’t any too close. [sic] This state is noted for a lot of Indian wars and so on. Must be you haven’t studied your history very much. Ha! Ha! �Haw! Haw! if you think I can’t be successful in chewing your nose [sic], I’ll have to prove it then when I get there. Don’t put it past me for I shan’t forget it, either. Ha! Ha! I’m going to give you a big bear [Page 2 - front] {Stationary letterhead} CORPORAL JOE OLEXA Co. “L,” 26th Infantry 1st Infantry Division hug for the package you sent when I get a furlough. How’s ‘at, for a start? “Huh!” [sic] My increase in pay is O.K. but the more money a person gets, the more they spend. I haven’t heard from Ollie as yet and it isn’t worrying me any. I’m hoping that he gets into the Army to find out just what it is. Ha! Ha! Laziness is his middle name but that don’t run in the family. Ha! Ha! [sic] No military information is supposed to be given out, so I guess it would be a wise thing to censor mail from soldiers sending out information innocently. A slip of the lip may sink a ship and I sure wouldn’t want to be on it. So, when you are working, you claim that you think of a lot of things to write. Well, that’s good news, why not write what you think? Still, reading your mind, “sweet.” Ha! Ha! [sic] I don’t know whether I can write a lot and it keeps me quite busy to try and answer all of yours. [sic] I don’t know where I’m going for the 4th but I hope it’s on furlough to see you “sweet.” [Page 2 - back] So, Gloria and Beasie are bookworms nowadays. If they done their homework with as much interest as a storybook, that would be something! “Eh!” Ha! Ha! I haven’t written to my sister or buddy since we came here so I guess I’ll have to get busy. Will close, “sweet” and write real soon. Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. When are you going to get a furlough to come and see me. I’d fall over from surprise if you did, “sweet.” Ha! Ha! �[Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Infantry 1st Infantry Division Indian Town Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania. {Postmark} INDIANTOWN GAP JUN 26 12 PM 1942 PA. FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-06-25 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 1942-06-25 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 25, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 25, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 26, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her latest letter and package, discussing how he will give her a big bear hug upon receiving his furlough someday and how no military information is to be given out moving forward. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Pa.) Furloughs Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8c1286339353f4314ee0351e2f30d389.pdf 88e9abd500983eff9088bef5ffbdf2f0 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0e2bf181901f496d0e5bbe14175d3567.pdf 459999918de9d67ad64316c2ff882b85 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-06-28] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} CORPORAL JOE OLEXA Co. “L,” 26th Infantry 1st Infantry Division A.P.O. #1 Indian Town Gap Military Reservation Pennsylvania June 28, 1942 Dear “Sweets,” Got your letter yesterday so before I go to the show I’ll answer your letter. I just got through eating a good duck dinner too. You don’t mean to tell me “sweets'' that you haven’t traveled much. Well, I should tell you an endless yarn of my travels but just to be mean I won’t. Ha! Ha! Anyway, there would be a lot of scandal mixed with it, if you did visit me once it gets out. Although, if you were to come down, I’d get your roundtrip ticket and you could get a place to stay at the Harrisburg Y.W.C.A. But, I’ll wait to see if I can get a furlough. You’d be worrying whether you’d get lost on the way and in New York City and such, so we’ll let it go at that. I wrote 5 letters this morning already to my folks at home, my sister, brother, and the man in the moon in general. I wasn’t very ambitious yesterday so I spent the afternoon sleeping. Ain’t that nice. [Page 2] Most of the boys had the chance of going to New York city for the weekend. Yes, I bought that other stationary but I’m going to use the supply you sent first. As for knowing and getting them to where I about know them to a capital “T” is just a simple matter. I can almost feel their expressed emotion before they speak and their actions which I won’t leave out. Ha! Ha! Here I am letting you in on my secrets! That’s bad! Ha! Ha! Roy has been transferred to a new Company which is being formed although he will be with our outfit. I haven’t gone anywhere this weekend so the Dutch Gals can wait and if they can’t, well I won’t worry none. Ha! Ha! I really haven’t much to write this time sweet, so I close although this is a very short letter. Don’t be a “meaneey” [sic?] and tell me to write more or I’ll chew harder on your ears when I get a chance to see you. How’s my little chick-a-dee nowdays? [sic] Well I’m still on the outs with her �for not writing. I’m sending you a card with my crippled brother I had spoken to you about just to give you an idea of what he looks like. Sincerely yours, “Sweet,” Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. When are you going to send me some more pictures? I’m always good in my sleep. Ha! Ha! [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry [text strikethrough] {1st Infantry Division} A.P.O. - 1209 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. {Postmark} INDIANTOWN GAP [?] 12 AM 1942 PA. Free {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-06-28 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 1942-06-28 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 28, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 28, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes discussing potential arrangements for her to travel to visit him and stay in the nearby Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, while still holding onto hope for his own upcoming furlough. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Pa.) Furloughs Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/803f556abae531d7667feb402225a39b.pdf 3b5dd273a3bd30fb0404ba8548604cd0 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b9820657030c9c5fded059dd26eed8cf.pdf c4c77de3c4c0f351d3cf9d775e8cb18b PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-06-29] [Page 1] {Letterhead featuring the words “AMERICAN RED CROSS” and their red cross emblem} S/Sgt. Joseph Olexa (12016893) DET. OF PATIENTS 4187 U.S. HOSP. PLANT A.P.O. – 152 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. England June 29, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Thought to drop you a letter and hope this find you in the best of health. I’m coming on fine and improving every day. At present, I was reading a book named “Hurricane” and must say it is very interesting. I’m going to read one of “Charlie Chans” Mysteries after I finish this other one. My thoughts are always of you “Darling” and I still patiently waite [sic] for the day when we shall be together again. Did you get the letters I had written to you while I was in France? I hope so? [sic] I’m still very anxious to get your letters forwarded to me from the company and I miss them very [Page 2] much. I hardly can waite [sic] to see you again and I guess it will be hard to let you go when I can hold you in my arms again. Two years seems like ten that I saw you last and how I wish that you and I could spend this 4th of July together. Someday our dreams and plans shall come true and we shall patiently waite, won’t we? I’ve got to more cartoons of Sad Sack for your scrapbook and will send more when I have the chance to get them. Was sorry to hear you couldn’t find a fountain pen for me. I surely do need one, but if you can’t get one don’t bother. Yesterday I wrote to my folks again and to Helen and Johnny. Well “Sweets,” I can’t seem to write a long letter so I shall close with all my love to you. Yours forever, With Loads of Kisses “Joe” {Signature accent mark} PS. Write real soon so I can have something to write about. Won’t you? [Envelope front] �S/Sgt. Joseph Olexa (12016893) DET. OF PATIENTS 4187 U.S. HOSP. PLANT A.P.O. – 152 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 152 JUL 4 1944 A.P.O. U.S. POSTAGE 6¢ VIA AIR MAIL Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 34770 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-06-29 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 1944-06-29 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 29, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 29, 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 4, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in the hospital using American Red Cross stationary and informing her of his well-being and the books he is currently reading. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f7645483c43e577b23b17c4128fb90b8.pdf 5418319f1ae92f82b98ec7ad3c4ebe4e PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/cc85775a800bf0c9c506ac3af4e70ee7.pdf 039887022ee7914b7ce3a29aceb84c9c PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-06-30] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} PASSED BY [?] U.S. ARMY EXAMINER [?] To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From S/Sgt. Joseph Olexa (12016893) Det. of Patients (Sender’s name) 4187 U.S. Hosp. Plant (Sender’s address) A.P.O.-152 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. June 30, 1944 (Date) England Hello “Darling,” Still improving and feeling fine. Hope this letter finds you well and in the best of health. I finished that book of Hurricane [sic] and it was very interesting. You ought to read it sometime. Well “Darling” I love you as much as ever and still miss you a plenty. My mind often wanders to the last 4th of July we spent together and how I wish it could be the same this year. What a grand day it would be being with a swell girl like you. You know I’m just about in the mood to tease and only have one set back which is you? I’d love to chew on your ears awhile and then fuss with your curls. Guess I’ll have to waite [sic], won’t I? Give my regards to your folks and let them know I’m feeling better. Will close with all my love to you. Yours forever With Loads of Hugs & Kisses “Joe” {V-MAIL stationary footer} �[V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE JUL 10 6 PM 1944 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 � 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_1944-06-30 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 1944-06-30 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 30, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 30, 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 10, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes while recovering in the Army hospital in England. He writes that he is feeling fine and wishes they could spend the Fourth of July holiday together as they had done in years past. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f0fcad933c29b6cc59ae37003e1afdfb.pdf 6469b669ffba65db64fb8e9d5e1d976c PDF Text Text ������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/03d9235be08b996881059b8c1ee7349f.pdf 2098e76cacc8756b6493449480988a5d PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-06-06] [Page 1 - front] Co. L, 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. Fort Benning, Georgia June 6, 1942. Hello Sweet, Rec’d both of your letters and was glad to hear from you. Didn’t have any spare time this week so I couldn’t answer your first letter. However, I'll try to write another a little later. I’m on guard duty this afternoon until tomorrow nite. [sic] We had an inspection today which wasn’t so tough. Still looking for sympathy, Eh, “Sweet.” Well don’t knock on my door, for I haven’t any to give. Ha! Ha! I wouldn’t put it past you to say that I gave it to you. Ha! Ha! [Page 1 - back] Well, dear you must have been under the apple tree with someone else to catch a cold. I can just imagine you not getting mad at me. I’ll laugh at that one. Ha! Ha! So, you started to work without a vacation. Well, Roy says it’s a lazy job to set and take down dictation in Shorthand. I agree with him. Ha! Ha! I also told him of Carolyn being engaged. He nearly fell over when he heard it. He was saying that she is a fast go-getter and then with a smile on his face, “I don’t know what I saw in her.” Well sweetness we don’t have on electric lights but a nice full moon so you can come [Page 2 - front] down if you want. You can put yourself in the package with the stationary “sweet,” which will be enough. So, you got 5 dollars for shorthand, “Eh!” Well don’t forget to let me know when you make that first “million” and then “we’ll” live on easy street. Ha! Ha! [sic] So you’d be hanged before you’d go chasing after a husband. My, all women say that but it's a lot different when their [sic] married. Ha! Ha! You don’t mean to tell me, “sweet,” that you have a lot of strength, do you? Boy, I’ll have to watch out then, “huh!” Well you couldn’t hurt me any so I shan’t worry none. Ha! Ha! [Page 2 - back] We are doing the usual training which isn’t new at any time except when you are a recruit. We are getting some more Typhoid shots and another vaccination. By the time I get out of the Army, I’ll be full of needle holes. �Has your bracelet or locket tarnished yet? If they did I’ll go down and give that jeweler my calling card. The fellows are still gambling around here every time they get a chance. One fellow won 700 dollars in an hour which isn’t a bad hour’s pay, is it. Yes, I like to go to the Non-Com school for it is interesting and very helpful. [Page 3 - front] How’s my little Chick a dee, Gloria? [sic] Isn’t she going to break her heart and write me a real long letter? Well, if she don’t I’ll get mad at her again. I didn’t get any mail this week except your two. Haven’t heard from home since my brother’s last letter. I’m not particular in what you send in a package to me sweet and I won’t be choosie. [sic] How’s your mother’s garden? Is there anything be enough there for me to steal? [sic] Well if there is, let me know. I didn’t say to let your mother know, but me. Ha! Ha! [Page 3 - back] Will close sweetness for there isn’t much to write. Give the folks my regards and don’t forget to write real soon. Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. L, 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Fort Benning, Georgia {Postmark} COLUMBUS, G.A. JUN 6 8:30 PM 1942 FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-06-06 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 1942-06-06 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 6, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 6, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 6, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes during a rare moment of spare time ahead of being on Guard Duty at Fort Benning. He also writes about their training activities and vaccinations, in addition to inquiring about her family and their wellbeing. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Fort Benning (Ga.) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b4bc00eefe4ce3d8fe5d5d6926afaede.pdf 1ed543be0229a62dc376bc3c04e45572 PDF Text Text ������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a230ae1b89e21dc047f1a3f93131c378.pdf cf3830912f94ce885028e61bf973b06d PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-06-07] [Page 1 - front] Co. L, 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. Fort Benning, Ga. June 7, 1942. Hello Sugar, Rec’d your letter today and believe it or not I knew it was coming. I dreamt about getting your letter and today it was here. The color in my dream of the envelope was the same as it is, with your handwriting. So, ya don’t believe it, Eh, sweet? Well it’s that true. I came off of Guard today and I’m very tired. I didn’t get much sleep which is the usual thing on Guard. I had a relief of 8 men to past every four hours [sic] and had to stay awake most of the time. During the day I couldn’t sleep for the flies nearly drove me [Page 1 - back] crazy. Instead of sleep, I killed them and put them in a pile. We had to sleep on the ground with one blanket for 25 men couldn’t sleep in one tent that held six. No sweet I’m not Black for I have a light tan and now the Army won’t let us take our shirts off. So, they have Indians and Mexicans at Fort Devens now. You’d better watch out or they might go night riding for scalps. [sic] Roy got a letter from Mrs. Wenneburg [?] today or I should say a short note. She wants to know where he is and what he is doing. He spit at the letter after[Page 2 - front] -ward. You can tell your father that the easiest way to lose weight is to get back into the Army routine. Such as hiking on your stomach without a meal, double timing every now and then, doing exercises, drilling, hitting the dirt, walking till you can’t walk no mo [sic] from sore feet and so forth. Ha! Ha! If he don’t lose weight within a week, I’ll chew my Sunday hat and eat it. Ha! Ha! A fellow just brought in a snake that measures six feet and as big around as my arm. Well you may think I’m kidding but I ain’t for I only write the latest news. [Page 2 - back] I saw a picture Friday nite [sic] which I forgot to mention in my other letter. It was “Tortilla Flat” with Spencer Tracy, John Garfield, and Hedy Lamarr. This picture was a good one and if it gets to Gardner or Fitchburg you ought to go and see it. �So, my little Chicka-dee has to work. Now, I won’t be able to hear from her. Oh! What a sad day. Well, maybe she can sometime. Ha! Ha! You must be getting lazy now by taking it easy, huh, sweet. Pretty soft, I must say after pushing a pencil once in a while in the shop and not working at home. How do you do it? Let me in on the secret and I’ll try it out on the Army. Ha! Ha! [Page 3 - front] The fellows are [?] running around just now chasing a couple of fellows who are afraid of snakes. The fellow held it high while running and still the snake dragged on the ground. [sic] Well, my nephew has to take after the Olexa’s or we’d disown him if he didn’t. As for the devilish twinkle in his eye, sweet, there is only one whose got that and that’s me. Ha! Ha! So a woodchuck is beating me to the drawing of stealing things out of the garden, “Eh”! Well just wait till I get my hands on him for chisling in on my future racketeering. [Page 3 - back] Find his hole for it’s around there then set a steel trap to get him. One thing about a woodchuck, don’t let him get the first bite or someone may have a nice chunk of meat missing. Well honey it’s getting quite dark so I’ll close and write soon. Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Be good, sweet. I might get that furlough yet. At least I’m a hoping. [sic] {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. L, 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Fort Benning, Georgia {Postmark} COLUMBUS, G.A. JUN 8 2:30 PM �1942 FREE {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. � 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_1942-06-07 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 1942-06-07 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 7, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 7, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 8, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her latest letter and dreaming that it would arrive that day. He also writes about his experience on Guard Duty, the health benefits of Army training, and the recent movie he saw starring Spencer Tracy. Please note, a portion of this letter contains language that is harmful and offensive and should be viewed with awareness and racial and cultural sensitivity. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Fort Benning (Ga.) Motion pictures--1940-1950 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e726fa1c85342c1d02728c67fa741a1e.pdf 24623d530a64312e39ecee7dd249b1e6 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/632bd0536931d1711a7b6a87c6ab46cb.pdf 2f436597682c41877ef07882e3a51e30 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-03-11] [Page 1] North Africa March 11, 1943 {Stationary letterhead featuring a “V” with stars and stripes in red, white, and blue} Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter with the two snapshots of yourself and I will say that they were good ones. I haven’t as yet gotten the others you mentioned in the letter. I had to stare a long time at the picture with Richard on it for, at first, I thought he was a neighbor boy. He sure did grow and the haircut made a great change in him. I got some old mail today from Helen and a friend of mine. Well “Sweets,” I’m still in good health and hope you are the same. I still miss you and think of you often. You haven’t changed much in your pictures, to my estimation. Claypool is all smiles nowdays [sic] since Gloria wrote to him. He says that he’s going to write her a long letter. I sure was surprised to get that letter from her also. What does she think of the picture I sent her? Ha! Ha! Boy, I’ll bet she put up a lot of steam around the place. I have not seen Roy in [Page 2] a couple of weeks. If I find the time I may go down to see him. He still writes to Carolyn. I got a lovely valentine card from my mother and Dad. As yet my brother Ollie has not written but my sister claims he did. Maybe I’ll hear from him sometime soon. How are your folks and the Walsh’s? Don’t forget to give them my regards and a hello. I got a picture from Helen with my little nephew and niece. They sure did grow since I saw them last. Well “Honey” I shall close for I haven’t much to write. Same excuse as usual. Ha! Ha! Write real soon. Yours, With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. I’ll let you know when I receive your other pictures. [Envelope front] Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. - 1 ℅ Postmaster New York, N.Y. U.S. Army �{Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE MAR 16 1943 A.P.O. Free {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. PASSED BY US 11102 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_1943-03-11 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 1943-03-11 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 11, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 11, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated March 16, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed overseas in North Africa and after receiving the latest snapshots she mailed to him, noting how she hasn't changed much in her pictures, and hoping she remains in good health and spirits. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Africa, North Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1ba090a5c686ad69f1d7cadb9d865f01.pdf 9afd5d3fe4cf5a8c0649614c073b97da PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1d8199c9bc92ae12f3757b242f8c43d0.pdf 6e84f6f91638985621a61a751bb9562e PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-12_01] [Page 1] England March 12, 1945. “My Darling,” Today is Sunday and what a beautiful day out. I sure did wish that we could go walking but you are so far away. I miss you as much as ever Darling and love you more each day. Gee! I wish I could squeeze you right now. I’d bite your ears if you’d lean over here. Ha! Ha! I thought of you a lot today “Sweets.” If we would only be together again what a fortunate fellow I would be. Someday “Darling” we shall be and that’s going to be wonderful. I still haven’t rec’d any of your letters as yet, but I’ve got my fingers crossed. I did get an old V-mail from Ollie [Page 2] written around the first of Dec. I shall be very happy when my mail comes in regular again. I’ve had many addresses so I can readily see how slow my mail gets to me. Well, “Darling” my job is a good one and I really got a break this time. I’m getting along quite well too. When my name comes up for that furlough, I might faint from the shock. Ha! Ha! I hope this letter finds you in good health and most of all, thinking of me. We still have a lot to plan “Sweets” for our future so Uncle Sam ought to wisen up. Ha! Ha! [sic] What have you been doing lately? Did you see any good movies? What are the new songs over there now? Have you taken any recent pictures? If you [Page 3] have I hope you’ve sent me some? How are the folks and the baby? Don’t forget to give them my best regards. There are two fellows here who want me to forward a “Hello” through you to Gloria, so don’t forget to tell her about it. As for you “Darling” I enclose a big hug. Did you feel it? Ha! Ha! I’m only teasing now but it’s a good thought. Well, my love I shall close hoping to hear from you real soon. Remember “Sweets,” I shall love you always. Yours Forever, With Loads of Hugs & Kisses {symbols} Your Future Husband Joe {Signature accent mark} � 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_1945-03-12_01 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 1945-03-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 12, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 12, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a beautiful Sunday in England, sharing the news of how he is getting along well and enjoying his new job, in addition to missing her as much as ever. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7929aaca1d596a1a484169e3ebf364a6.pdf 5fb294a34eede13d11e5b464e7ccf579 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a8556f9d76f2963be7aa12e55534d815.pdf 1aaa39d09de5a4240223ca9224621176 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-12_02] [Page 1] [V-Mail Letter] {CENSOR’S STAMP} [?] To Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. From (12016893) S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. March 12, 1945. (Sender’s complete address above) England My “Darling,” Have written you two letters and hope this V-mail reaches you to let you know of my new address. I am on my new assignment of training men and got a good break. The Officers and men are swell so I’ve no complaints. I have not received any of the mail from the hospital as yet but expect it soon. Will be glad when my mail is regular again. Have been thinking of you all day today. I still miss you as much as ever and love you more each day. It was a beautiful day out and wished more than once that I could have had you here with me to go for a stroll. How has everything been with you at work today? Did you think of me any? Will close and write real soon. Yours always With Loads of Love, Joe {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE �OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE MAR 19 3 AM 1945 No. 3 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 [V-mail envelope - back] Delwood [?] Chicago Dr. � 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_1945-03-12_02 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 1945-03-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 12, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 12, 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 March 19, 1945. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes informing her of his new address and positive experience with his new assignent. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence V-mail Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/976728bb6fd87d1d625a1619b6b62cc9.pdf 032de9d927df660b15bf51269c9f1cdd PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f2dfe9357077fb9b41d55386455f7a00.pdf f277afde1a195ea00c64014acb151bdf PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-03-15] [Page 1] Camp Blanding, Fla. March 15, 1942 Dear Agnes, Rec’d your two letters and I finally got a chance to write. We are doing a lot of hard training since we came down here and I mean it is tough. We are out rain or shine and at present it gets very hot and then it rains to make it all the more miserable. We are having bayonet training, hikes, combat problems, rifle firing, drilling, and so forth. We are on the move nearly every minute. Well if they keep this up, us boys will be ready for anything. After supper I usually hit the hay, for I’m quite tired after a hard day’s work. [Page 2] You have stated the 1st Division is taking life easy, well you are wrong, for we are the only ones doing this so called easy training. On my leisure time which is Sunday and I’m lucky to have the day off. [sic] I usually write unanswered mail and rest a bit. I haven’t gone away from the Post as yet but I’m going to get a 3 day pass just to break up the Army monotony. I believe when the Army hardens us up enough to take a lot, they will ship us to the Front somewhere. It may be in six weeks or a little longer. I’ll bet my new pair of shoes on it too. Well it will not be any too soon for me [sic], for I’m pretty anxious to line my sights on a few Japs. I do not have a rifle anymore. Instead I carry a Auto-matic rifle [sic] which shoots a normal rate of 120 bullets a minute. [Page 3] It can shoot 550 rounds a minute providing a man can load it fast enough. It weighs 21 lbs. and that’s quite a load with your other equipment, without any ammunition. That’s all about the Army situation at present. I weighed myself a week ago and I surely was surprised to tip the scales at 180. I’ve lost some weight since then, though, doing training. Have you written to my brother yet? I’ll bet if you did he doesn’t answer. �Roy has gone crazy again and has proposed to another girl in his hometown. The way he states it, the both of them are coming down here and there sure will be feathers flying if they should get here at the same time. I hope they do, just to see a little fun. [Page 4] He told me last nite [sic] that Carolyn has written about six letters to him already and that he didn’t answer any of them. Another fellow here gets tattooed every chance he gets, so I believe in time the Army will make us all loose in the head one way or another. Well I shall close to flirt with the bathing beauties on the invisible beach outside of our tent. Ha! Ha! As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} like this and not like this Ha! Ha! P.S. Your last letter gives me a lecture and a little praise. Which way shall I take it? Ha! Ha! Don’t forget to give the folks my regards. [Enclosed note to Gloria] [Page 1] Camp Blanding, Fla. March 15, 1942 Hello Sweetie!! Remember me? Oh! Ya do, well that’s fine, it’s only me, the Pest. [sic] It’s your fault for you didn’t write, so here I am writing some more. Sh--- Sh--- Sh. [sic] This letter is a secret and confidential. Oh! It isn’t, well, I figured it would turn invisible before it reached you. My! I read your mind and you said I must be crazy. Well you’re wrong, for I am. Now ain’t that funny. Ha! Ha! Well, see if you can read this {arrow pointing to message written backward} To find the meaning to it, put this letter in front of a mirror, then read it. [Page 2] �Now, for a little of my great adventures. You didn’t think I would forget about it, did you? My! My! Well here it goes, one bright day, in the middle of the nite [sic], two dead boys went out to fight me, and a deaf and dumb policeman heard the noise, went out to kill the two dead boys. Another time, I had a haircutting experience with the Indians. This time I was running like a horse with an Indian chasing and throwing tomahawks at me like rain and every one of them shaved the hair off of my head. Oh! Ya don’t believe it, well neither did I when the barber woke me up after getting a haircut. Ha! Ha! Well, I have to get to work so I’ll close, continuing in the next letter. Don’t forget to write or I shall write [Page 3] some more. As Ever, the Pest P.S. Did I hear you say you were going to write? Boy! That’s fine. Ha! Ha! The work I am to do is to safeguard any prowlers who may try to steal my invisible bathing beach. My next adventures will be about my Flea and Ant Circus and my two trained boxing Bed Bugs. [Envelope front] {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING MAR 16 5 PM 1942 FLA. {Postage Stamp} UNITED STATES POSTAGE Thomas Jefferson 1801-1809 3 CENTS 3 �Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. [Envelope back] P.F.C. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Infantry A.P.O. #1 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_1942-03-15 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 1942-03-15 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 15, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 15, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated March 16, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her letters and finally finding a chance to respond during a period of hard training in intense heat and rain. He continues to describe their training exercises during the week and his leisure time on Sundays, in addition to his upcoming three-day pass and being shipped to the front in the months ahead. Enclosed in his letter is an additional note to Agnes' younger sister, Gloria. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/cce655da2cc1d5b3a603e28db6db5f3f.pdf 150376066b30126320df5d7be728cc52 PDF Text Text �������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/19085309aa482b6a6d6aabb79eaaaf1e.pdf 86c886e27179afb955d8fb55032ff8ce PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-15] [Page 1] England March 15, 1944. Hello Darling, Got your lovely birthday card with the picture and the curl in it. The picture is a very good one and you seem to get prettier every day to me “Sweets.” I liked the way you have your hair “Darling” and hope you will never change it. It was a grand surprise and well worth the waiting. I have matched your hair with the recent curl you sent and it is a darker brown compared with the one I had for two years. Well “Darling” you’ve gone down deeper in my heart and my love and thoughts will never cease for you. Wish I could [Page 2] squeeze you to show you how much I appreciate your picture and the curl you sent. Just waite [sic] till I get back young lady then you’ll know. I guess our mail gets on a banana boat going both ways and what a suspence [sic] it is when we don’t hear from each other? Isn’t it? Wish you wouldn’t worry so much about me “Darling” after all worrying wouldn’t make you as pretty as I want you to be. I could not attend Roy’s wedding but I did get a one-day pass to come down to tell him I wouldn’t be able to make it. I did not see the girl he is married [Page 3] to but will see her when he returns. He’s only a short way’s from where I am now. He wrote to Carolyn breaking the engagement so I guess that is why she and her mother wrote them awful letters to you. Boy, they got the nerve, haven’t they? He also showed me the pictures of you and Gloria that Carolyn sent. You still win my heart “Darling” and I’m longing to see you again. Two years is sure a long time “Sugar” and wish the army would smarten up and let me go home. Ha! Ha! That would be swell. I don’t want to be discouraging but I don’t know when I will return. When I [Page 4] do though, I’m going to give you all those hugs and kisses I missed while being away from you. It’s going to be fun to knip [sic] your nose and bite your ear. What do you think of that? It’s just like me. Ha! Ha! From morning till nite [sic], you keep jumping in and out of my thoughts and during the nite you haunt me so I can’t get any rest. What a meanie, you are? I’m going to get even though so young lady take heed to my warning. Ha! Ha! I’ll never give you any rest so long as I’m with you. Thoughtful of me isn’t it? But then we’ve missed each other so long that I don’t think you [Page 5] �wouldn’t mind or would you? Ha! Ha! I keep looking at your picture “Darling” and wish I could take you out of it. That would be swell for I have so much to say, yet don’t want to write about it. I’m just an old meanie too, to keep you in suspence. [sic] Oh! Yea! Ha! Ha! Your kisses are swell and when I bring them to my lips, it brings me closer to you. Yes, “Sugar” I shall write as often as I can and make that heart of yours miss a beat. Ha! Ha! Wish you would stop wiggling down inside so I can concentrate to write. See, what you do to me and I’m still going to get even. If you can stand to have a tooth pulled “Darling” you might be able to [Page 6] take all of the hugs I’m going to give you. Well, I’m going to give you all of them anyway when I get back. Did you think about us today? You did, well that’s what I did and I’m just checking up. Ha! Ha! Just had mail call and as usual no mail. I’m a little discouraged but yet tomorrow is another day. Especially when I hear from you “Sweets” my morale jumps sky high. By the pictures that Roy showed me Gloria has grown a lot since I saw her last. Is she still a Tom Boy? I’ll bet she is? Did your mother write as yet? Hope she does soon? Last nite [sic] I got a letter from Helen. Everything is fine with her and she states that they [Page 7] are having a lot of snow. Has Francis and Ollie been up to see you again “Sweets”? I hope that they will visit you real soon. Well “Precious” I haven’t anything else to write at present so I shall close hoping to hear from you real soon. Yours Always, With Loads of Love & Kisses Joe {Signature accent mark} PS. Give your folks my regards? Excuse my scribbling for I’m getting worse every day. [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 MAR 17 1944 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave., S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 20639 U.S. ARMY EXAMINER Lt. [?] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-15 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 1944-03-15 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 15, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 15, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 17, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her lovely birthday card including a new photograph and a lock of her hair. He continues to describe his great affection for her and how her letters boost his morale while stationed overseas in England. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives