489 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d257cda3cbdd7ba5c459bd0ecfd6ed46.pdf d0fb993e45e67d5a67a5796066207883 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0180e22bc1e6f155766bd162e92af388.pdf c4f23f552bf3e9e150cb3c2b4813c440 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-19] [Page 1] England March 19, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Haven’t received any mail since I got your picture and birthday card from you but I guess it will reach me soon. I think of you always “Sweets” and love you more each day. That is why I am so anxious to hear from you. I did intent to write yesterday but went downtown. I saw two good shows which are ‘The Destroyer’ and ‘Sweet Rosie O Grady’. Did you get a chance to see them? I still keep wishing that we were together “Darling” which would be grand. Then, I could tell you all of what I have to say. I keep looking at your picture and I’m very tempted to knip [sic] your nose. Not only that but [Page 2] to give you a real big hug. That would please me very much not to say anything about biting your ears Ha! Ha! Have you rec’d any of my letters as yet? Hope you did? Got a long letter from Helen last nite [sic] and two birthday cards from home. By the way Helen writes, my sister Nell is coming along fine after having two operations. She also states that she cannot waite [sic] for your vacation to roll around so you can visit her. Wish I could go with you but I will in thoughts. Ha! Ha! You are very pretty in the picture “Darling,” and I shall be very disappointed if you get worried and don’t be that way. Someday I shall return and then we’ll be together always. I don’t want you to change either and if you do I’ll only love you a tiny bit less? Ha! Ha! [Page 3] What do you think of that? Since you wiggled deep down in my heart and threw the key away all of my thoughts of you and I rush to my mind. When I get back young lady I’m going to get even by making my threats come true. Oh, so you still doubt it? Just waite and see? [sic] Everywhere I go, you are with me and there is none better than the girl I love back home. Know who she is? I’ll give you three guesses and the last two don’t count! Ha! Ha! My, what a meanie you are? You keep jumping in and out of my thoughts and wiggling inside so I can’t have any rest. I can’t chase you out since you had the key so I’ll have to make the best of it and let my heart keep on [Page 4] beating for you. Roy is supposed to be back today, so when I meet his wife I’ll let you know what she’s like. Have you been thinking of us today? You haven’t, well young lady you shouldn’t sleep so much? Ha! Ha! How are your folks? Has your mother written to me? I’m still waiting. Ha! Ha! Well, “Darling” I shall close, with all my love to a “Sweet girl” like you. Yours Forever, With Loads of x’s and ( )’s. �Joe {Signature accent mark} PS. Hope you fill my mailbox chuck full of letters. I can’t fill yours though because you don’t leave them in there! Ha! Ha! [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 {Postmark} PASSED BY BASE 1031 US ARMY EXAMINER Free {Signature accent mark} {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 MAR 22 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_1944-03-19 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 1944-03-19 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 19, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 19, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 22, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing his latest news including going to see a double feature at the movie theater downtown and receiving birthday mail from his family back home in the United States. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters 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/42ad43b08fe012acf559ca40505550e0.pdf 617b0c2a0ba62bbc77a93fbbe260304d PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/cb851257c3cf0b7922da11b35a03cef2.pdf 35fb0caaa28f327b4c5ee80ee34f8de5 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-03-02] [Page 1] North Africa March 2, 1943 Dear Agnes, Rec’d four of your letters today and the latest one was Feb. 6. I was very surprised to get a letter from Gloria. I nearly fell over from the surprise. I also got the small miniature you sent but the painting or tinting job was a poor one. The picture itself is a very good one. I haven’t gotten the other pictures you sent but I guess they’ll catch up to me soon. I’m the same as usual, Honey, and hope you are the same. I still think of you often and miss you. Yes, I got your Valentine and Christmas card and they were swell. [Page 2] I also got a nice card from my mother and Dad. I heard from my buddies for the first time since I came to Africa. They’re still in the States, where I’d like to be. Did you get the French money I sent you? I hope you will. I saw Roy the other day for the first time since I left England. He’s a Staff Sergeant now, in other words he’s a mess [?] sergeant. Carolyn writes to him often. From his talk I get that the Wenneburgs [?] announced their engagement in the papers. What do you think of that or did you know that already. Roy is the same as ever [Page 3] although he didn’t stay long for a good pow-wow. He asked about you and your folks. Claypool got Gloria’s letter and Valentine. Boy, he was sure happy and surprised to hear from her. Well, “sweets,” I got my hair cut very short for the hot weather is just around the corner. Another reason is that if I go around like this, they might send me back to the states. Ha! Ha! I said (might). Sending you two postcards, one of an Arab man and the other an Arab woman. If I can, I’ll try to get a lot more to send. How are the Walsh’s these days? Don’t forget to give them my regards. [Page 4] Don’t forget to give my regards to your folks also. We are now back resting and for how long, is still a question. I don’t believe I’ll be able to catch up with your Dad in rank so I guess he’s got [text strikethrough] me up a tree. Ha! Ha! Well “Honey,” news is scarce so I shall close. Write real soon for I’ll be waiting to hear from you. Yours, With Lots of Love Joe {Signature accent mark} �[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 11 1943 A.P.O. Free {Signature accent mark} Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 11 Main Street Ashburnham, Mass. PASSED BY US 11147 ARMY EXAMINER Robert Ostwald 2nd Lt. Inf. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Joe Olexa letters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Van Der Weide, Agnes Description An account of the resource Collection of letters between Joseph Olexa and Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. Olexa fought in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division, Company "L", and eventually attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Over the course of World War II, Olexa was engaged in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Belgium, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. While deployed abroad, Olexa maintained regular correspondence with Agnes Van Der Weide, a young woman he met through mutual friends. Agnes was the daughter of Benjamin and Minnie (Ter Meer) Van Der Weide. The Van Der Weide family lived in Jamestown, Michigan and Ashburnham, Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. While the letters do not contain details relating to Olexa's military activities, due to heavy censorship of soldiers' correspondence by the U.S. Army, the letters do depict the daily activities of an infantry soldier and illustrate the blossoming romance between the two. Joseph and Agnes were married July 23, 1945, and lived in West Michigan until Agnes's death in 1993. Joseph Olexa died December 3, 2000. They were survived by their son, Karl Olexa. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941/1946 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence (RHC-93)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93 Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-93_Olexa_1943-03-02 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 1943-03-02 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 2, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 2, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated March 11, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed overseas in North Africa, sharing the news of his happiness in receiving her Valentine and Christmas card, and his recent haircut in anticipation of warmer weather. 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/6450d76931db8a7d4227b0a9365f93f2.pdf ff9c7aef0de9d399ee398a7538ba75c4 PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2c9a1daa84f48c91b23776dbef049645.pdf 9127dafba7be1c4797363ce24ed214fe PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-03-22] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} AMERICA FOREVER Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida March 22, 1942 Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter today and was glad to hear from you. I sure was surprised to get that one-page letter from Gloria. Confidentially, I think she’s trying to save up on writing paper by writing only one sheet. Ha! Ha! Well, I’m fine as usual and everything on my invisible beach is O.K. The weather is fair and hot with rain mixed in to keep up our morale. We are still training hard and this week will be about twice as hard. [Page 2] We are going to have combat firing at surprise targets which will pop up any place while we are in fighting formations. We are going to use live ammunition. The surprise targets are the shape of a man’s head and shoulders. They represent mortar men and machine gun men. So, when they appear, we will fire at them. Thursday, we had a hike and we trotted most of the way. We’d walk about a 100 yds. then trot. [sic] We covered the same amount of miles in 2 hours as we usually do walking in four and we still carry our equipment with us. I fired the automatic rifle on the range and made high expert. Out of a possible score of 200, I [Page 3] made a 186 only losing 14 points. Of course, we have so many seconds to get a certain number of rounds fired and it isn’t so easy as one might think. My Company Commander complimented me on the good shooting and boy, did I put out my chest. Ha! Ha! Friday, I was on guard duty, which made me very tired and Saturday when I got back, I was put on K.P. and today I am on table waiting, so now, I’m answering your letter in between meals, and besides that we are on alert call for a week at a time. I started to write you a letter in ink and my fountain pen went on the blint, making blots, so, I just got through breaking it to pieces and �[Page 4] now I’ll write in pencil till I can buy a new one. I got a letter from my brother at college and I still haven’t heard from home since the day I was on pass at your place. I don’t see much of Roy nowdays [sic], so I can’t write any news about him. There is a rumor going around that we are going to get a 10-day Easter furlough. I probably will not take one, for it will cost me at least 70 dollars for a round trip home in a day coach. So, I believe you wouldn’t want to come down here for Easter. Not unless you have a good thumb to hitch-hike. Ha! Ha! What were you trying to do, make me feel good by writing that? [Page 5] {Stationary letterhead} AMERICA FOREVER I heard over the radio that General MacArthur sent President Roosevelt a telegram requesting him to send the “Fighting First Division,” which he needs to show the Japs what a hard-hitting force we are. Well, I sure would like to be there with him and I may be there sometime in the near future. The first division’s motto is: No mission, too hard, No sacrifice, too great, Duty first. Our Regimental motto is, “When in doubt, Attack.” [Page 6] My motto is to “Shut my trap and kill a Jap.” Ha! Ha! [sic] Boy, I should have been a novelist, for when the rocks rattle, I can think of a lot of things to write. Ha! Ha! Have to get out on my invisible beach for I heard one of my bathing beauty call for “Help.” [sic] Got out there just in time for some big lug was trying to carry her away. Well, some boys just went by carrying him on a stretcher, so I guess everything is under control again. Have you heard the “latest”? Oh! Neither have I, for it hasn’t come out yet! Ha! Ha! I haven’t written to my brother for he still owes me a letter and don’t blame me if he doesn’t write to [Page 7] you. You will have to excuse my poor writing for I’m writing on a small stand and can’t get the full arm swing at writing. �The automatic rifle magazine holds 20 rounds of ammunition and between the gunner and assistant gunner, we carry 30 such magazines. Well, I shall close and don’t forget to give them my regards. As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} Still wrong!! Like this {arrow pointing to his signature accent mark} Ha! Ha! P.S. Remember my motto about the Japs. Oh! You had to read it over. I knew you’d forget what you read. My! My! [Envelope front] {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING MAR 23 3 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_1942-03-22 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 1942-03-22 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 22, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 22, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated March 23, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes describing the various training activities that are planned for the week including combat firing, hiking with equipment, and firing an automatic rifle on the range. He also continues to write about the "Fighting First Division" and their motto, in addition to their Regimental motto, and his personal thoughts on the subject. Please note, this portion of the letter includes harmful and offensive language toward the Japanese people and should be viewed with awareness and cultural sensitivity. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) Guard duty 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/31158dc18537e5af22d05aebe712144d.pdf 92d80927dd63a5ac3e17b24dce7b8983 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4e0b8cbda051b89c9c45f02ac9eb8961.pdf 9de87c3de8d88247b97a1386a4d8a231 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-25] [Page 1 - front] England March 25, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Rec’d three of your back letters and was very pleased and happy to get them. My mail is coming in slow and I keep looking for more each day. I am recuperating well and feel much better since I left the hospital. I never did like being cooped up anyway. Last nite, I was pretty depressed and blue. I didn’t go nowhere except to a show which wasn’t any good. I thought of you so much and how I wished we could have been together. I got so disgusted that [Page 1 - back] I went to bed early. Gee! “Darling” I miss you terribly and love you ever so much. If I could only hold you in my arms again, I’d be a happy man. I’d bite your ears and dig your ribs. Gosh! That would be swell. If I could only get back to be with you again Darling for a little while. This Army could send me anywhere. At least I would have the satisfaction of marrying you “Darling” and making all of our plans come true. I know we shall be very happy “Darling” and living like other people. For me, I’m on needles and pins waiting and hoping. We have so much to do when I get back. But “Darling” [Page 2 - front] I shall not hesitate to marry you as soon as I get back and stay together as long as my leave permits. In a little while it’s going to be our year’s anniversary of being engaged and “Darling” I shall think of you that day. I remember it so well and I wish I could be there to say “Darling” will you marry me? [sic] Well, “Sugar” what have you been doing lately? I know that you get depressed too but it comes mixed in with our everyday life. I thank God for being alive and all of the countless blessings He has given me. I know that if I come to him in my sorrows and joy, believing His divine “Word,” that nothing on Earth can take away my happiness. [Page 2 - back] How are your folks? Give them a hello for me won’t you. I got two packages from my folks and I’m looking forward in receiving the ones you’ve sent me. I also expect most of your wonderful letters too and I really do miss them. Will close hoping to hear from you real, real soon. Yours Always With Loads of Love, Hubby “Joe” {Signature accent mark} �[Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 U.S. Army c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 551 MAR 30 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. � 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_1945-03-25 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 1945-03-25 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 25, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 25, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, U.S. Army, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 30, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with positive news of his recovery upon leaving the hospital, in addition to his feelings for his future wife as they approach the one year anniversary of their engagement. 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/b8c2d0d0db824f1f8f84d55d720898b3.pdf ff98c5402d79a26f99b0f4f0d3907ba1 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ed1473269e51cf2a43f9909a9457c09e.pdf d3b538a4944a6221ea8a9412b8d5c7fc PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-26] [Page 1] England March 26, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Today was a lovely day to go for a stroll, so I took you with me. Gee! I miss you terribly “Darling” and I could squeeze you ever so much if you were here. As I walked along I could hear the birds sing and saw a lot of trees full of blossoms. The flowers are peeping through and the countryside is turning a light green. Some people who went rushing by haven’t noticed it’s spring but I did. I was in no hurry to go anywhere and imagined you were walking with me. I had so much to [Page 2] talk about that I didn’t even finish them in my thoughts of you. I will love you always, “Darling” and patiently waite [sic] for the day I return. I always keep saying that there isn’t a better girl in England than I have back home. When I get back it will be a great inspiration filled with happiness and joy to be with you again. I shan’t ever let you go till I tell you of how much I love you and missed you. That’s going to be a grand day when we shall hold each other and our longing for each other has come to an end. We shan’t have any rest but it will be worth it. Don’t you think so? Sometimes I get so [Page 3] disgusted and blue and when I get that way, I read your old letters and look at your pictures. All heaviness disappears and you keep wiggling deeper and deeper inside of me. Then I’d say wish I could knip [sic] your nose and muss your curls? Today I asked you to go walking with me and this clipping shows what you did, but I took you with me anyhow? Ha! Ha! Later on we came to a pool and I asked you to go swimming, and when you felt the water you were stubborn and didn’t go in. What a meanie you are but young lady, I shall get even some day. Your March letters haven’t arrived yet but I’m still hoping to hear from you “Darling.” I miss them very much too. The only thing I got from you this month [Page 4] was the birthday card and your pictures. I know you have written and keep hoping you aren’t ill? When I don’t hear from you I always say well I will tomorrow. Saw Roy today and he’s coming along fine. I just missed meeting his wife by five minutes. I’m getting a small wedding picture from him and will send it to you when I get it. Will close for this time Darling with all my love and a big hug for you. Yours Always, With Loads of ( )’s & x’s �Joe {Signature accent mark} PS. If you don’t hurry and send me some more pictures, I may get another pin-up girl? You wouldn’t want me to do that would you? Ha! Ha! [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 29 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_1944-03-26 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 1944-03-26 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 26, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 26, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 29, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England and shares his appreciation of the natural beauty of spring after his stroll around town, including the bird songs and blossoming trees he witnessed in the countryside. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Nature Spring 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/9a636f905304b15134defce522354b7d.pdf ec3f193166e1f0c2a235b568878411e1 PDF Text Text ���� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e7c83f47862bec0dd4579c5d59b9349d.pdf 6808616acc4487c5a34092b5a5d67c57 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-27] [Page 1] England March 27, 1944. Hello “Precious,” Here I am again and still no letters from you. I miss them very much “Darling” and hope you are not ill? Thought of you all day today and love you more than I can write. I hope by now that you are getting all of my letters I have written. Easter is two weeks away and I sure wish that I were there to spend it with you. I’d take you for a nice stroll just to take in all of the beautiful things Mother Nature has made. This month is nearly ended and it will not be long till summer. [Page 2] I got two Easter V-mails today, one is from Ollie’s girlfriend and the other, a friend of mine. If I don’t hear from you soon, “Darling,” I don’t know what I’m going to do? I’ve done practically everything I could think of while [text strikethrough] {waiting} for your letters but it’s getting exhausted. I’m not giving up, though, at least not that easy. Well Sugar, what have you been doing today? Now young lady tell the truth, for I may read your mind? Ha! Ha! It better be of us or I’m liable to bite your ears in front of everybody. Do you want me to do that? I will anyhow just to be mean. How are your folks these fine days? Don’t forget to give them [Page 3] my regards and hello. Has your mother written to me yet? Wish she would? Has Richard been a good boy lately? He better be? [sic] Well “Sweets” I will close for I don’t know what to write since I haven’t heard from you. Yours forever, With Loads of Love & Kisses “Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Write as often as you can “Sweets”? [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 29 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_1944-03-27 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 1944-03-27 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 27, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 27, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 29, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while missing her and her letters, hoping that she is in good health and wishing he could spend the upcoming Easter with her. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Easter Nature 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/3338ad7d89e2f9c223f45ab50f4dad37.pdf 17e2a792b82610a86c9912bf2f218faa PDF Text Text ������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1988fd2322ce6fe0aeb2b452a0070609.pdf 6236b8e810cc4a23df2674fc3b79d05a PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-03-28] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} AMERICA FOREVER Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. March 28, 1942 Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter today and was glad to hear from you. I was surprised to hear that my brother wrote to you. Could you really figure out his writing? I do not owe him a letter, instead he owes me one and I am quite stubborn, at times, if anyone doesn’t answer my letters. [Page 2] What happened to my “Little Sweetie” Gloria? Now I feel awful blue and I guess I’ll have to write and find out whether she is sick or whether Frankie is beating me to the draw. Ha! Ha! Boy, I’ll bet you could wring my neck, if I were there for writing what I did? “Eh.” Ha! Ha! We still are going through our hard training as usual and I must admit my muscles are sore all over. I usually hit the hay early for the rifle I carry now is a lot of weight for carrying about [Page 3] twelve hours a day. We are under orders of immediate action to move out at any time, so our furloughs and passes are discontinued. So, none of us could not leave if we wanted to. We are sleeping out in the open and training in the rain whether it rains or not and at times it gets very annoying but we just grin and bare it. [sic] We have a few reptiles called snakes down here consisting of rattlers, coral snakes, king snakes, and Black snakes. The rattlers and coral snakes are the poisonous ones, while the [Page 4] others are not harmful. We have a venom [?] for rattle snakes but none for a coral snake. The coral snake has bright colors of red, black, and yellow around its body and its bite is a 100% deadly [sic] for no one can be saved. It’s only about a foot long and hangs in the vicinity of pine trees. Some of the boys have killed three so far, but we haven’t seen a rattler as yet. It’s getting a lot warmer, so those writhing things will be out in a little while and I hope that I don’t fall on one while taking up a little of combat trainning [sic], of advancing and hitting the ground. [Page 5] �{Stationary letterhead} AMERICA FOREVER My letters should be longer nowadays [sic] since I write on a Saturday nite [sic] or a Sunday and it depends on what day I get my letters. So far, your letter was the only one this week and I can look back a few months to where I received two a day from the ones I usually write to. Now, the percentage has decreased 98%. Roy just popped in for a chat and asked who I was writing to. [Page 6] He wanted to read your letter, but I didn’t let him. The movies down here at present are old ones and not fit to see, so I’ll have to wait till some good ones come around. I read about those fellows in Australia too and I believe the girls wait till they see someone they like, then nab them so that they can’t get away until they take the steps of matrimony. Well, if I should happen to go there, I’ll let them know I prefer a blonde. Ha! Ha! How is Florence nowdays? [sic] Boy, it’s been a coons age since [Page 7] I’ve heard from her. Give her my regards when you drop her a line. Will close and write when you can. As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} You’d better give up. {arrow pointing to his signature accent mark} Ha! Ha! P.S. Give the folks my regards and motto to shut my trap and kill a Jap. [sic] Enclosed is a note to Gloria. � 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_1942-03-28 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 1942-03-28 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 28, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 28, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes during a time of hard training at Camp Blanding, where he carries a rifle for twelve hours a day and his division trains rain or shine. 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/58651d4c54a8fc71393ec2e4bb5b725f.pdf cb8ba87adb6b74a485ff424c6aaf2ce6 PDF Text Text �������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fc8e8af9fd23fbd214573da43dabc234.pdf 47d4c39fb2262a413a58c42d9573dce9 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-04] [Page 1] England March 4, 1944 Hello “Precious,” Just got back from town to find a letter from you. It seemed like a year since I heard from you last and I keep ready the letter over and over. It’s dated Feb. 14th and I’m anxious to get the other letter you mentioned. I was very blue and depressed for some reason until I saw your letter and to find two kisses in it all for me. Well “Sweets,” up went my blood pressure and I could squeeze you ever so much for I really miss you terribly. I love you more than ever and waiting for [Page 2] the day when we shall be together again. I’m just waiting to see just how hard you can squeeze and I shan’t forget either. It will be a big job to box my ears, so I shan’t worry. Ha! Ha! Went to the show today and saw a double feature. The first one was “[The] Squeaker” with Edmund Lowe and the other was Roy Rogers in “Sun Rise [Sunset] Serenade”. They were fair. Today has been a lovely day and how I wished that you could have been here with me. I didn’t see the picture “Lassie come home” but will keep it in mind and see it when it comes around. [Page 3] Yes, “Sweets,” I went on pass and had a fairly good time. Would have had a better one though, if I were with you. See!! What you’ve done to me? Ha! Ha! You bet, that I can remember the times, we were together and I’m always thinking of them. Waite till, I get back? [sic] I’m going to be like a “termite.” Ha! Ha! Now, you’ve got me in suspense again telling me of your little surprise. I ought to knip [sic] your nose, a few times for that, just for telling me about it. Meanie!! I’ve got that picture of you and Ollie out again and how I sure do envy him being with you and not me. [Page 4] Your package did arrive “Sweets” and I’m very pleased. The pen writes O.K. and I’m using it now. Don’t blame the pen for my scribbling for it’s just me? Ha! Ha! Two more days till my birthday and wish I could spend it with you. We’d really celebrate and not by drinking too much, either. I plan to go on pass if I can and spend it away from camp. Will take in the movies and save all of my thoughts, thinking of you then. See, how generous, I am? [sic] I have not as yet written to thank your Aunt & Uncle for the swell birthday card. I’ve tried to write twice but just can’t �[Page 5] seem to think of enough to write about. Anyway, “Sweets,” you can thank them for me and in the meantime I’ll try to make another attempt. I know, I’ll enjoy meeting all of your relatives “Sweets,” and hope they will enjoy meeting me. So, Carolyn is trying to blame you and I for her broken engagement. No wonder they were so anxious to write such letters. Roy must have written to them, breaking the engagement. I see the whole thing now and must say they are pretty cheap. [sic] It’s none of my business what Roy does but I [Page 6] kinda suspected something like that when I heard he was engaged to a girl over here. You needn’t pay any attention of what she writes about me because she is only trying to get you disgusted and discouraged. Remember, “Darling,” that I love you and don’t care who knows about it. So don’t let her chisel [?] in our affairs. My how rude she is, isn’t she? Shows her ignorance and wants to spread a lot of gossip. Well I shall forget about her and write more about you “Sweets.” You’re the one, I’m greatly interested in and want you to believe me and I know you will. Well, how are your folks, [Page 7] these fine days? Don’t forget to give them my regards and hello! I think of them often and really think they are swell. Can’t express my appreciation which is beyond words and if I did, I might spoil them. Ha! Ha! Will close for now “Darling” hoping to hear from you real soon. Yours Always With Loads of Love & Kisses Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Never you mind the imprints “Sweets” because they’re swell. [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 7 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_1944-03-04 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 1944-03-04 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 4, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 4, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 7, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes many pages to Agnes sharing his most recent news including how happy he was to finally receive her letter dated February 14th, in addition to the package of writing supplies she sent to him. He also updates her on the most recent double feature he saw including the films "The Squeaker" and "Sunset Serenade." Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence 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/076195fc8ceca3f5c135eeeb03adb237.pdf d1e5143d7254f936b851984a00fe4c4a PDF Text Text �� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6803749c3c5018feb97dcf6b880d8aa4.pdf 9a6c86e0f5fb7317491ef9807fd730f5 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-04] [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 (12016893) S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn. [?] A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. Mar. 4, 1945. (Date) England “My Dearest Darling,” Late again in writing but have a good excuse because I am now on my new assignment. I am not going back to the Front and in time my nerves will be as good as ever. Well, “Darling” my thoughts are always of you and I miss you terribly. Gee! I sure would like to be with you, just long enough to tell you how much I love you. Boy! That would be great. Just two more days till I have my third birthday overseas and to me it seems like years that I was last with you. Someday Darling” if it’s God’s will, we shall be together again. Write to me at the above address. I’ll miss your lovely letters again for a while, but I hope to get a bushel-ful [sic] when I do. Well, I will close and shall write again soon. Give your regards to your folks? All my Love Your Future Husband, “Joe” {V-MAIL stationary footer} [V-mail envelope] �WAR & NAVY DEPARTMENTS V-MAIL SERVICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS {Postmark} U.S. POSTAL SERVICE MAR 12 5 PM 1945 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_1945-03-04 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 1945-03-04 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 4, 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 4, 1945. The envelope is sent from 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn., A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 12, 1945. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes just two days before his third birthday spent overseas, sharing the news of his new assignment away from the front lines and all of his love to his bride-to-be. 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/7300d492e5963312124be001294bf6e6.pdf 2db6aca5635ca334320fcf4c9940221b PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fa0bff83293a5775234fb412e9497dd3.pdf 9cefbc67a268790bf6be84bfd2ddddbe PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-05] [Page 1] England March 5, 1944. Hello “Sugar,” Thought of you all day and wished you were here with me. I miss you very much “Sweets” and wish I could see you again. Someday I will and may it be real soon. Went to church today as usual and must say the services were very good. Well, what has my Darling been doing all day? Has she been thinking of me as much as I think of her? You did, well then we are even. Wish, I could pull one [Page 2] of your curls out of the picture I have in front of me, with the scissors I have. I’d take it right off of the top just to be mean. If I could I’d also bite that ear you have showing. Ha! Ha! I love you very much, “Darling” and could squeeze you a plenty for all of the times we didn’t spend together. But I’ll have to wait and it will be worth it. Don’t you think so? It would be grand if you could celebrate my birthday with me tomorrow but it can’t be done. Anyway “Sweets,” I’ll think of you oodles and oodles. How’s at? [sic] I keep reading your latest letter over and [Page 3] over and it seems to me that I haven’t read it enough. I’m putting all of the blame on you for it too. Ha! Ha! How about some of those hugs right now. Oh! You meanie I didn’t feel them. Didn’t know you were so weak? Ha! Ha! I’m sending some more clippings and hope you enjoy them. Did Ollie and Francis visit you as yet? I wrote and told them to. Haven’t heard from home in over a week but expect to soon. Sometimes, they’re real lazy. I guess, I’ll hear from Roy again for I think he wants me to be an usher. I don’t know who his best man will be but think it will be [Page 4] a friend of his from this company. I’m surprising myself again for I wrote you a long letter last nite. [sic] Will use your stationary just as soon as I use this other paper up. Well, “Darling” I shall close with all my Love for you. “Yours Always,” With Loads of Hugs & Kisses, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Write real soon. �[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 7 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_1944-03-05 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 1944-03-05 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 5, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 5, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 7, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England on the day before his birthday, sharing how much he wishes they could be together and the latest news on their friend Roy's wedding. 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/72735a129fce1815c87e965b390aba2c.pdf 58c25e6f8fd0bb5a9373fb8db253fda1 PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d5fa1fc29f74d107d1b7342df3b31f37.pdf 47f7e8f7b5ad27e001098f21be6dbc05 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-05] [Page 1 - front] England Mar. 5, 1945. “My Dearest Darling,” Have been thinking of you as usual so I thought to write you another letter. I’m getting along fine here so there’s no need of you to worry. Gee! Sweets, I miss you so much and how happy I shall be, when we are together once again. If I could only be back to change your name would be great but we’ve still got to hope. When I put in for that furlough, you’d better have your fingers crossed for me. I love you with all my heart “Darling” and consider myself very fortunate to have a girl such as you to love. Gosh! I could squeeze you for ages & ages without any let up. We have so much to do and plan and how I wish we could be together to do it. I hear the song “Long Ago and Far Away” [Page 1 - back] so often that I get awful homesick just for you. I really like that song too. I still think that I will not get any of your packages and discouraging it is for me. That’s why I hate to ask for packages. Helen told me about the bracelet you sent me and I really always wanted one but if it don’t get this one you may be able to send me another. I also think of the good watch I never got and that makes me mad. To my estimation someone else got it on the way over. Did you get the pictures, Valentines, and package I sent to you? I hope you have. Well, “Sugar” how is everything with you and your work? Do you think of me a tiny bit each day? You have, that’s swell and if you didn’t, I’d bite your ears real hard. Threatening ain’t I? Ha! Ha! Just waite and see!! [sic] [Page 2 - front] I’ve still got your letters that I received at the hospital and I read them over & over. I never get tired of it either. Helps to keep my morale from going too low. Since I am not going back to the Front, I shall be able to write to you more often. I never thought I would come back to the same place to stay, as when we first came overseas. That was a long time and what memories in the gap. If I don’t hurry up and get home, you might be an old maid. Ha! Ha! But I will not let it happen for I have only room enough in my heart for one girl which is you. Tomorrow is my birthday and I wish I could celebrate it with you. Matter of fact, I’m not going to celebrate it this year. [Page 2 - back] Well, how are your folks and the baby? Don’t forget to give them my regards, will you? Haven’t anything else to write about at present so I shall close and will write again soon. Loads of Love & Kisses Your Future Husband, �“Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Enclosing two clippings. Would you send me some air-mail stamps? {Cartoon insert entitled, “Tomorrow the World!” by John R. Fischetti} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn. [?] A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – New York, N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 551 MAR 7 1945 A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. PASSED BY 45517 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_1945-03-05 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 1945-03-05 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 5, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 5, 1945. The envelope is sent from 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn., A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 7, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on the day before his birthday, sharing how he is homesick for her and wishing they could celebrate his special day together. 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/09be812f0c24a0aca2f3e29a2545befc.pdf 41f929c1875697c6b2cbd50f7d376a8a PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7a8f88942e7634ef1fea972305dcb47b.pdf fc5f345231ab75b71fcf1151a216eb86 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-07] [Page 1] England March 7, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Got three of your letters today and was very pleased to get them. I was disappointed though for two of them didn’t have a kiss in them. Ain’t, I awful? [sic] Well young “Lady,” I don’t know what I’m going to do with you for being so forgetful. Still miss you as much as ever “Sweets” and thought of you most of the day. I sure did wish, that you could be here to spend my birthday with me and if you were I would of had a better time. [sic] By the way “Sugar” your kisses were grand and I enjoyed them very much. Please send some more? Have you been thinking about us lately? I’m [Page 2] going to get even if you didn’t. Ha! Ha! I wish, I were there with you to talk about all the things, I want to tell you “Sweets.” [sic] I don’t want to be rude but I think I could tell you more than what I could write so I’m hoping and praying that I shall some day in the near future get back to be with you. Then!!?? What do you think “Sweets”? I was very pleased to hear also that you understand my explanation of my neglecting to tell you of my [text strikethrough] {broken} engagement. I did so much want to tell you about it while being with you instead of my writing about it. I always did believe you “Sweets,” and it has made me very happy to hear you trust and have faith in me. I’d squeeze you ever so much if you were here to prove it too. [Page 3] I got a letter from Francis today stating that she and Ollie planned to visit you but my sister Nell had an operation and my mother went down to take care of her, so Francis had to stay home to take care of the house. They are going up to visit you probably as soon as my mother gets back. I hope that you will not think that they resent your invitation to visit you but I know they will. Well “Darling,” I’ve got your picture out again and wish you would leave Ollie standing there in the picture and come to me. I’m not asking for much, am I “Sweets”? Ha! Ha! All you’ve got to do “Precious” if you want me bite your ears is to take out one of my pictures and hold it, I might jump and just long enough [Page 4] to do it. Ha! Ha! Wouldn’t that be swell? How are your folks these wintery days? Give them my regards and a hello for me “Sweets”? Will close for this time hoping to see you again in my dreams, so I can chew that left ear of yours. I’ll bite hard too. Ha! Ha! Meanie, ain’t I? I’m very anxious to get that little surprise you are sending and for being so mean not to tell me what it is, I’m going to haunt you in your dreams. What do you think of that? Write soon “Darling” for I long for your letters hoping that they will reach me real soon. �Yours Always, With loads of Love & Kisses & Plenty (H)(U)(G)(S) [sic] Joe {Signature accent mark} [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 9 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_1944-03-07 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 1944-03-07 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 7, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 7, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 9, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes of his excitement in receiving three of Agnes' letters that day, wishing they could have been together for his birthday, and sharing the news that his siblings plan to visit her in Grand Rapids. 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/153486e4a35715053f4ca612db749417.pdf 0a6bc878562169e2dcd983ece6718be6 PDF Text Text ������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7870963f5e696fdf23b4eba8d7a77860.pdf c58218e64708f5f30ebf212b1ac6c3ad PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-03-08] [Page 1] A.P.O. #1 Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. March 8, 1942 {Stationary Letterhead} U.S. ARMY Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter and the package. The skull cap is just the ticket and thanks a million for it. Also for the cigarettes, candy and cookies. The cookies were broken to crumbs but they were good. We go swimming nearly every day down here. The reason being that it rains about 5 days a week and we are out doing training in it. The days with sunshine are swell and they usually are weekends. I haven’t been off of the post as yet but I may go next Saturday to see what the outside world is like. No, we don’t have a ration on ink and I seldom use it for I don’t like to write with a pen. Things around here are pretty quiet and I don’t like it that way. No [Page 2] rumors as yet about us leaving and we don’t know what the Army will do. I don’t express my feelings much so I just like to keep them all guessing. As for writing to my brother, you can, and if he answers your letters he will be doing a lot. For I usually have to speak my mind for him to write. How are the folks and don’t forget to give them my best regards? Has your mother become fond of that stove your Dad bought? I went to the show last nite [nite] and saw Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in “Woman of the Year.” It was a good picture and it knocked down hard on the women. Boy! That tickled me! Well I shall close till the next time. As Ever, �Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Writing a note to Gloria. [Enclosed note to Gloria] [Page 1 - front] {Stationary letterhead} U.S. ARMY Hello “Sweetie,” Agnes wrote and told me you were mad for writing a sarcastic letter. When I went to school my teacher always said only dogs get mad and I still believe in that old saying. She also stated that you aren’t going to write to me anymore. Not even a Hello or Hi Pest. Well that makes me feel awful sad. You didn’t even write and here I am writing and that proves that I don’t get mad. Did you enjoy your stay in Gardner? I enjoyed a few days down here myself swimming and crawling in the water, in a pouring rain. After getting in I went to wash and looked myself into a mirror. [sic] Staring a few minutes with a grunt of approval, I finally decided it was only my shadow. Another time I was walking around [Page 1 - back] with my head off and in my hands, when the Company Commander just happened along. He asked me the silly question of what I was doing. So, I put my head back on and said, “Sir, I was just looking for some loose bolts that seemed to rattle every once in a while.” Oh! You don’t believe it, well I thought you wouldn’t anyway. Did I ever tell you about a whale and me? Oh! There wasn’t much to it, because he had a big tail. Ha! Ha! That sure was funny and don’t laugh will you. I’ll continue my great experiences in the next letter, so don’t miss the next chapter. Will close and if you don’t write, I’ll write some more. Ha! Ha! As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} or Pest as you call me. For Gloria �{Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING MAR 9 5 PM 1942 FLA. 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_1942-03-08 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 1942-03-08 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 8, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 8, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated March 9, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing his experiences at Camp Blanding including their training during the rain-filled weekdays and their weekends spent swimming in the sunshine. 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/1481a0abf24de750ae7796496b641803.pdf b6ab8f64c55a7af07a080ad93c805d4d PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9afa05281068cd48c4cfd136a060043b.pdf 8fabebc10af1f3f11198e93b65ea9c21 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-03-08] [Page 1] England March 8, 1944. Hello “Darling,” I’m [in] the mood for writing and love, so here I am. Was whistling “I’m in the mood for Love” and it has made me think of you which isn’t unusual. One word left out already, “Sweets”, watch out, or you might catch the same sickness? I miss you very much and could bite that left ear of yours in your picture which is exposed and very tempting. I did it anyway, just to be mean. Ha! Ha! What were your thoughts of today “Sweets”? About us? Mine were. I’d like to pull at your curls right now just so I could have you fix them over. I’m in a good mood tonite [sic] and why shouldn’t I be [Page 2] having a girl waiting for me back home like you. That ought to warm my affections into your heart a little or didn’t it? Well if it didn’t, don’t blame for trying. Ha! Ha! I may go as far as to say that if I were there I’d squeeze you ever so much and dig your ribs just to be an oldfashioned meanie. Threating ain’t I? Of course, I might get a little soft hearted once in a while just long enough to whisper in that tempting ear of yours that I love you. Then I’d squeeze some more. Gee!! That would be swell. Hope you will forgive me for being such a teaser “Darling” but just waite [sic] till I return and then tell me about it. You’ve wiggled [Page 3] way down in my heart and every time I think or hear from you, it jumps. See!! What you’ve done to me, Meanie? But remember young lady, that I have a trick or two up my sleeve to get even though, so don’t let it slip your mind. If it does I’ll have yours, then what would you do? I was just wondering, is all. Ha! Ha! That little surprise you sent hasn’t arrived as yet and I’m very very anxious to get it. [sic] What a big meanie, you are for not letting me know what it is? I’ll get even with you for that too, just wait and see?!! Today has been a lovely day and warm too. It would have been much better if I would of [sic] had you to blend in with sunshine, “Sweets.” You keep jumping [Page 4] in and out of my thoughts “Sweets” that I can hardly concentrate on my writing. Wish you would stop it just long enough for me to finish this letter? Ha! Ha! I shall anyway with oceans of love, not lotions, and a kiss on each wave. Yours Always, With plenty of ( )’s Joe �{Signature accent mark} P.S. Write real soon [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 {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE 1 MAR 11 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 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_1944-03-08 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 1944-03-08 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 8, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 8, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 11, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from England expressing his love for her and his good mood in knowing she is waiting for him back home in Michigan. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Love letters Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/543">Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant World War II Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/99c1b65605ca41323bd7cb340bd4de45.pdf fc90d3e2ee3fb9b12305f9567b06c412 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6f7afa7b68c9d243b1f77361b63c56e9.pdf f02123eb1c864c5712da9dd96d2120b0 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1945-03-09] [Page 1 - front] 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. March 9, 1945 “My Darling,” Have been thinking of you as usual so I thought to write you another letter. I’m coming along fine with my new job which is training men. I shall do my best and in time, I shall be as good as ever. It’s nothing to worry about so please don’t. I expect mail any day now and I’m glad I shall be here to get it regular. I’ve met one fellow who was in my company, so I know at least one fellow here. I have put in a furlough request to go home for 30 days and now all I’ve got to do is waite. [sic] Gee! “Darling,” what a happy man [Page 1 - back] I will be when I get it. We sure will have a lot of planning to do in a short while but I know it will turn out for the best. I still miss you “Sweets” and wish right now that I could hold you in my arms again. Gosh! That would be swell and I don’t think I’ll ever tire squeezing you. See what you’re in for? Ha! Ha! We shall get married as soon as we can when I get back and I shall be very lucky to have a wife such as you. I never worry about us not getting along, for I know we shall be happy. My birthday rolled around and I only had one beer. If you were here, I might have taken you to celebrate it. Instead I went to bed. Well, how is everything going for [Page 2 - front] you? Working hard and thinking of me, I hope? I haven’t heard from no one since I left the hospital so I can’t write anything about them. I intend to write some more tonite [sic] to give them my new address. If I had some more of your lovely letters, I’d have more to write. Don’t know how I got this far? Ha! Ha! Well, “Sugar” how are your folks? Don’t forget to give them my best regards, will you? I’m still anxious to know whether you got the package I sent and the valentines? Did you? I’ve written you a V-mail and a letter with another address, so you don’t have to use that other address at all. I never knew that I could have so many addresses [Page 2 - back] in [text strikethrough] such a short time. Maybe the sheriff’s after me. Ha! Ha! Will close “Sweets” and write real soon. All my Love Your future Husband, �“Joe” {Signature accent mark} P.S. Enclosing “Sad Sack.” Would you send me some air mail stamps? [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.) 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.) A.P.O.-551 c/o PM. – N.Y., N.Y. {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE [?] [text partially missing due to top right corner of envelope being torn with missing stamp] A.P.O. Miss Agnes Van Der Weide 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W. Grand Rapids, 9 Mich. � 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_1945-03-09 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 1945-03-09 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 9, 1945 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 9, 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 circa March 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news of his new job and his furlough request for a thirty-day return home to the United States. 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/2a3e0acb361e5e16bfee3c4f06a4b7cb.pdf 2ebf257f61364426333af081737fa86b PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b02b1f884098b7156fb209e7755cec2a.pdf 5f6a8aabec0a9a5a65fa521c94c3dbd8 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-12] [Page 1] England May 12, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Got your two letters dated May 2nd and 3rd and the one from your mother. It sure was grand to hear from the both of you and I don’t mean maybe. They got here in eight days too. That is a surprise for me, isn’t it? I got the small pictures of Gloria & Beasie that your mother sent and must say that the both of them have changed. Especially Beasie. She’s grown and changed very much. She also resembles you a lot too. Roy was down nite [sic] before last to visit me. I expect to get that wedding picture he promised me sometime next week. I went to the movies last nite [Page 2] and saw “White Cargo”. The picture is fair. Did you see it? I still miss you “Darling” and love you more each day. If I could bite your ears a few times now, it would please me very much. Ha! Ha! I’m still very anxious for that day to come when we shall be together and hope that we can see each other for a long time. You bet that we shall be happy and being contented and my love for you Sweets will never cease. Anyway, I know that you shall be a swell wife and that makes me a fortunate fellow. I hope that by the time you get this letter that Helen has sent you the money I had her draw out of the bank for [Page 3] the rings. Yes, a nice small wedding is ideal but I don’t care how big it will be as long as I can make you happy. I’ve really enjoyed the kisses you sent Sweets and I always look forward to getting them. It’s lucky I got your two letters together or I would have been disappointed. So you’ve got a puppy now. You’ve already spoiled it by babying it so much. Now you’ll have a job on your hands. I have not heard from my folks as yet since I told them of getting engaged but I know that they approve, being that they like you. I also think about us “Sweets” and it shall be great when we can talk together planning our future. Won’t it? [Page 4] I don’t think I could be a very good teacher to teach you how to swim and keep my mind on work because I haven’t seen you in so long that I’d want to hold you so tight and tell you how much I’m in love. Do you blame me? Well “Darling,” I shall close, with all my love for you. Yours forever, With Loads of hugs and kisses {symbols}, Joe {Signature accent mark} �PS. Don’t forget to send me some more pictures when you get them. Write real soon. [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 {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE [?] MAY 14 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_1944-05-12 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 1944-05-12 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 12, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 12, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 14, 1944. In the letter, Joe shares his excitement over their initial wedding plans with Agnes as he awaits his parents' response regarding their good news. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Motion pictures--1940-1950 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/daefc4d89361df8f32343bc82d1fcb71.pdf 2f02a284619c3e663973433e289edf71 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2d69846f65e2048fa0ed9f6556f4e9dc.pdf 72ccfa2ac7e01c2a0f45093ef392e338 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-13] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} U.S. ARMY Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. May 13, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d your three letters and was glad to hear from you. I probably will not answer the three of them for news is kinda scarce in these parts. Anyway, it’s the same old routine. I did receive your package a couple of days back and forgot to mention about it in my last letter. Thanks very much for sending it. It’s still as hot as ever down here and once in a while, we have a little rain. I’m glad you like the gift I sent you. Roy got your letter today and said he was awfully surprised to get it. It was a surprise to him about the locket and bracelet set for I [Page 2] hadn’t said a word to him about it. From rumors going around and the packing, checking of what each company has on hand, that we are going to move somewhere again. [sic] As usual, the Army keeps a secret. Furloughs will not be given out after the 14th of June, so don’t forget to keep your fingers crossed and hope that I pull a high card. I guess if I don’t get it, I’ll be just as disappointed as anyone. Today, I was in charge of a working detail and for once I didn’t have to work but give orders. Not bad, Eh? Tomorrow, I’m on charge of quarters [sic] and don’t regret it, for we have a twenty-mile hike. Getting lucky. Young lady, I don’t like to be called “Joey.” It's sissified and just plain Joe will be the ticket. You should have thanked me for not going to “Eileen’s” that cold day, for if we would have went, we still be [sic] [Page 3] {Stationary letterhead} �U.S. ARMY like icicles. When you see Eileen again, give her my regards. How’s my cutie-pie Gloria? Isn’t she going to write? How [text strikethrough] {said} sad I will be, if she doesn’t? We are going on a two week’s maneuver somewhere soon, so if you don’t hear from me, you’ll know I can’t write. I’ll try to let you know though. Roy just came in and said to give you all of his love. He also stated to tell Carolyn to go {hand drawn symbols depicting the spelling of an expletive}. Ha! Ha! Maybe Carolyn wants you to get acquainted with one of them other soldiers. Eh! Claypool is still trying to get me a date and it's another gal. Maybe, if I have the time I may take a gander around them parts. Ha! Ha! Did you hear from my brother [Page 4] Ollie lately? Well I haven’t much to write which I hope you will excuse. Will close and I’ll try to find something to write, to answer one more of your letters, which I have here. As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Give the folks my best regards and tell them I envied them when I found out they had Polish sausage. [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida U.S. Army {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING MAY 14 3 PM �1942 FLA. 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_1942-05-13 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olexa, Joseph P. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1942-05-13 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 13, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 13, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 14, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving three of her letters and her latest package, and writes of his hopes for a furlough in the future and rumors of an upcoming move. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) 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/cd441b404ad43bfc9a2c2f572d5e3585.pdf c6c5e6e6295cd9e91b6c430321f87289 PDF Text Text ��� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/341dd2fd2d01ccf21e0e371bb19c3131.pdf bc3fe20c328081bc8044524b89c3c590 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-14] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} U.S. ARMY Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida May 14, 1942. Dear Agnes, Writing again since I have a few spare moments while on Charge of Quarters. We had some rain this morning which made it a little cooler, but I guess it will rain again, for it’s getting hot and muggy. I weighed myself the other day and since we are having tough training, I lost 15 pounds. I weigh 164 now. You have misspelled a lot of words in your recent letters, young lady. I forgot to mention it to you in my last letter which I had written yesterday. Did you wear your bracelet and locket to school? I’ll bet you made sure that Carolyn got a good look at it. Or didn’t you. Roy was just in to see if he had any mail. He went out disappointed and I told him to see the Chaplain. Ha! Ha! [Page 2] The Company is out on the hike and I’m pretty lucky setting around here. [sic] Have you still got your fingers crossed hoping that I’m lucky enough to get a furlough around the 1st of next month. I have and I’m a hoping a plenty. [sic] We have some new men that just came in (44) to be exact. [sic] This will bring our Company strength to normal. Some of our Sergeants are leaving tomorrow to new outfits which are being made. One of the Sergeants told me that within five weeks from now we’d be into action somewhere. It may happen but I doubt it. Well, cutie, I shall close even though this letter may be short. At least you can give me credit for trying to write. I know you won’t. You’re too hard-hearted. Ha! Ha! As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Don’t forget to give my regards to my cutie-pie, Gloria. �[Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida U.S. Army {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING MAY 14 5 PM 1942 FLA. 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_1942-05-14 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 1942-05-14 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 14, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 14, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 14, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while on "Charge of Quarters" and hopes that she still has her fingers crossed regarding his potential furlough in June. He also writes of the 44 new men that joined their company and the Sergeants relocating due to new outfits being made, in anticipation for their being sent into action in the upcoming weeks. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) 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/289454904068ef8ea09e46e14fde25f2.pdf a58ae7faec09e3aab10010dcab7f73a7 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4c06e9f21346ca7983db9458f845ef2f.pdf 5635073e0c2efae4cc4a805186573a40 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-16] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} U.S. ARMY Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. May 16, 1942. Hello “Sweetness,” Your letter I just received seemed like you were awfully down hearted. From your letters at times, it’s that way. I think I know the reason why? Sometimes or the majority of the time, you look at my future which is darkness or blank. Am I right? Off hand when you forget about it, which you should do, you’re a lot happier. Of course, this is my idea and I’ll bet I’m not very wrong. There are times, when you express yourself in “thoughts” of wanting to make something of it, then thinking of things in general, you will kinda shake and try to occupy your mind with something else. How do I know? It’s a [text strikethrough] secret. In reference to your letter on May 7th, it was very impressive to me and you expressed your feelings happily which you should do all of the time. [Page 2] Of course, young lady I’m confidentially writing this and most of the time I’m usually hard hearted. Ha! Ha! You ought to know. Whatever you see in me is beyond my [text strikethrough] thoughts? What is it???? I still read your thoughts, “sweetness.” Ha! Ha! Well that’s that of the situation, so, my young lady, why “hesitate” with your expressions? Huh! I hope to look forward in receiving more letters such as the one you wrote May 7th. Yesterday was bad news for me and that was, we are moving again. [sic] No furloughs to be given out and all the ones that are home now are being called back. Yesterday and today we spent our time packing and we are to leave Monday morning at 5 o’clock. I think we are going to Fort Benning, Georgia on maneuvers for a few months. When we get there and I can’t get a furlough, you’ll have to take one and come to see me or don’t you like to travel. Well it is disgusting to hear that no �[Page 3] {Stationary letterhead} U.S. ARMY more furloughs will be given out for a while yet. Talk about the weather being hot up there, you should be here right now. The sweat is rolling off of me in beads. I hope it will be cooler at our new destination. Well, sweetness, if you didn’t go swimming with me, I’d make sure that you would go in, clothes and all. Ha! Ha! What do you think of that? I must be mean, ain’t I. What are you trying to do? Kill me with hard work, such as scrubbing floors. I ain’t used to hard work. Ha! Ha! I’m a lazy man. I’m glad to hear you like the bracelet & locket. I’ll bet a lot of the girls around there envy you. Do they? My brother hasn’t written or answered my last letter to him. Did he answer yours? [Page 4] No, the 1st Division isn’t broken up and it never will be. I shall drop you a card or a letter when we get to our new home. Our Company is the advance company and we are leaving earlier than anyone else. Well, “Sugar” I will close till the next time. Don’t write down hearted letters which will make mine the same. Yours “Sincerely” Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. I’m still a going to chew your ears, for not getting your suit in blue, when I get a hold of you. I’ll bite, hard too. [sic] [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida U.S. Army �{Postmark} CAMP BLANDING MAY 17 5 PM 1942 FLA. 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_1942-05-16 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 1942-05-16 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 16, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 16, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 17, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while worrying about her letters seeming downhearted on his behalf and encourages her to not worry about the future. He also writes of their upcoming move to Fort Benning, Georgia for a few months and encourages her to take a furlough to visit him at his new location. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) Fort Benning (Ga.) 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/4cbe850d640c8dbcde2896bbab47e133.pdf 010273013f1501ae15dbbec8fc402f36 PDF Text Text ������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/426e58c1fde835c7e7a3208f1398019d.pdf 35a0c640fcc9dd28a9d31a6caa172172 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-02] [Page 1] Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Fla. May 2, 1942. Dear Agnes, Rec’d your letter and the pictures last nite. [sic] I was really surprised and puzzled to see that you did change quite a lot. I showed them to Roy and he had to look at them quite a few times before he was convinced. I’m going to keep the two of you in your suit and one of Gloria. The pictures of Junior are very good, also, but I suppose [Page 2] your folks want them to send away. I like the way you have your hair, so don’t get any ideas of changing it. Your letter was kinda late and I had thought your quick temper came up again, of something I had written. What color is your suit? It better be blue or I’ll chew your ears a bit, like a rabbit, when I get my furlough. I had planned to get my furlough around the first of June or the second week in June. [Page 3] When I get there, I’ll have 6 or 7 days and do you think your mother could find enough work around there to pay for room and board? So, my cutie still doesn’t believe me!! It’s just like the women anyway. That Fitchburg girl is the least of my thoughts. You can look for a surprise sometime this week or next. You’ll never guess what it will be in a million years, so don’t try. I’ve got my Army promotion warrant paper and now I’m a full-fledged Corporal. [Page 4] You can at least congratulate me. I didn’t handshake for it, either. The Lover is back with us being a little pale but in good health. [sic] Friday, we had another Divisional parade review for the Chief of Staff from Washington, D.C. He’s General Marshall. The weather down here is very hot and it's hard to fall asleep at nite sweating. [sic] Incidentally, when I get up there on furlough, you’ll have to go swimming with me. No ifs, buts or ands, you’ll go even if I have to throw [Page 5] �you in with your clothes on. Ha! Ha! So, my young lady, get your swimming suit out. Roy wrote a letter to Carolyn a couple of days back that will make her hair stand up. I read it and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a little fur [?] fly inside her house when she gets it. He really told her off. Before I forget, I want to compliment you taking a very good picture and at that looking your best yet. How’s at? [sic] I’m not kidding either. So, Gloria is still persistent of having me to stay in a mad [Page 6] mood. Wait till I get there. She must have been thinking of someone to lose that check, don’t you think so? I didn’t get the package as yet but I may tonite. [sic] Give your folks my regards and don’t forget to ask your mother about what I had written earlier in my letter. Will close, Sugar, and don’t forget to write sooner. [sic] As Ever, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Sending some more stamps since my mail is free. {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. L, 26th Infantry Camp Blanding, Florida {Postmark} CAMP BLANDING MAY 3 3 PM [?] 1942 FLA. �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_1942-05-02 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 1942-05-02 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 2, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 2, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 3, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes in surprise after receiving a letter and photographs from her on the previous night, and noticing how much she had changed. He also writes of his planned furlough in June, where he will be spending nearly a week visiting her and her family, and his Army promotion as a "full-fledged Corporal." Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Camp Blanding (Fla.) 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/183a6374f25e859d32ca2cb93342620b.pdf a263a4d1175f7302949f686e989de1d3 PDF Text Text ��������� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/08c7170723f0a9ebc6178681673c0702.pdf e1743e81259aa5c90c0509a684f743fd PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1943-05-20] [Page 1] {Postmark} ASHBURNHAM, MASS. SEP. 4 7:30 A 1943 REC’D North Africa May 20, 1943. Dear Agnes, Rec’d five of your letters of April and was very pleased to get them. I’m as fine as usual and hope you are the same. I still miss you and think of you often. Well the war in Africa is over and I wished it was the whole thing. There are Rumors of us going back to the states but things around here don’t look that way. I’ve got my hopes anyway. We are now back to the place we took when we first landed here. How long we shall be here to rest [Page 2] {Duplicate Postmark} is beyond me. I’m sorry that I can’t be there for your graduation so we’ll have to take things as they come. Roy is about a ¼ of a mile down the road from us and we take turns visiting each other. He’s still a Staff Sergeant. He told me to give you his regards and hello. I have received a lot of letters from Helen and a few from home. Ollie as yet, hasn’t written. I read in the paper the other day stating that the people could send packages to soldiers in Africa not to exceed 5 pounds without the [Page 3] consent of the Company Commander. All a person has to do is to show the letter and envelope with the postmark on it to the postmaster. So, if you want to send anything to me you can although don’t go thru too much trouble. Claypool is still missing in action and I presume he is a prisoner in Rome. The other fellow, I called The Lover was with him and he got killed. He’s buried in Gafsa. I sure miss them a lot. I have not seen the Harmon boy at all but I recognized his face when I got the clipping. I knew him [Page 4] {Duplicate Postmark} by sight. You ought to be a good driver by the time I get back so if you make a lot of mistakes while I’m riding with you, I’ll double my life insurance. Ha! Ha! How are your folks and the �Walsh’s? Don’t forget to give them my best regards. I didn’t have much time to write while we were fighting so I hope to write more often. Oh! Yes, I had your pictures in my folder and had it in a Barracks bag. While it was being kicked around oil got in it and ruined all of my pictures. It sure made me mad so now I’ll have to ask for more. I really did like the one you sent of the close up [Page 5] with you wearing a white Blouse and Black shirt. Don’t forget to send one to me. I have not as yet received the Easter egg Helen sent to me. I hope it gets here soon. I spent Easter Sunday in a fox hole with shells bursting all around and that wasn’t any pleasure for some hit awful close. I’ve had many a close shaves over here and I thank God that I’m alive. What does Gloria think of her boy friend I sent her from Africa? Did he seem to be darker than what he was when he left there? Ha! Ha! She didn’t let me know. I’m sending you [Page 6] a German picture I found of some Germans and the 20 M. M. ack-ack [?] gun. I have only a few more which I intend to keep. At least I hope to return with what few souvenirs I have. How is Eileen getting along now days? I never got around to answer her two cents worth in your letter one time. Don’t forget to give her my regards and Hello. We just had mail call and I got 3 letters and 2 V-mails. Two of the letters were from you and the other from a buddy of mine. The two Vmails were from Helen. How is my girl Beasie these [Page 7] days? I don’t know whether I answered her letter or not and if I didn’t why hasn’t she put the bug in my ear. I went to Oran for a visit and it’s still the same from what it was in November. My buddy’s brother was torpedoed in the North Atlantic while crossing on a ship and is now missing. He states that they found some lifeboats, frozen from the cold weather but his brother wasn’t in it. His mother sure did take it hard but it’s the results of war so we’ve all got to take a lot on the [Page 8] chin. Well sweets I managed to get to the 8th page which I think is a record letter writing from Africa. I’m really surprised at myself. I haven’t the slightest idea of what to get you for your graduation but I won’t worry till I get back to deliver it in person. It may be late but it’s better late than never. Will close sweets and I shall be thinking of you. Yours With Lots of Love Joe {signature accent mark} [Envelope front] �Cpl. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) Co. “L,” 26th Infantry H.P.O. - 1 c/o Postmaster New York, N. Y. U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY [“POSTAL SERVICE” missing due to top right corner of envelope being torn] 1 MAY 23 1943 A.P.O. [?] 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/. 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 1943-05-20 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 20, 1943 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 20, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 23, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and reaches a personal record for longest letter that reaches eight pages in length. In those pages, he covers various subjects such as the war in Africa ending and how he spent Easter Sunday in a fox hole. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Africa, North Easter 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/c9a494b6996b749d82f0c98b2f373b44.pdf e757839903e157fc68f5adc34a1c4994 PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/36a695dde3ad0b2c6db5411b82a8a0f9.pdf c0c2f150474b0094c6ee969058c63958 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-20] [Page 1] England May 20, 1944. Hello “Darling,” I rec’d two of your latest letters day [sic] May 10th, 11th, and a V-mail from Helen. It sure was grand to hear from you again “Sweets” and I always waite [sic] for them to arrive. I love you as much as ever and my thoughts are always of you. Was pleased to hear that you’ve got another raise. You’ll make that million yet, if you keep doing your best. I wouldn’t doubt but in a little while you’ll be earning more money than what I do. I earn a hundred and twenty dollars a month besides my living, etc. I am [Page 2] trying to save a hundred a month now so we can have a good start when we get married. I save just enough for expenses and the rest goes for savings for our future. I can hardly wait till I return and anxiously awaite [sic] for the day to come when we can be together for good. That’s going to be grand for us, isn’t it “Sweets”? If I could squeeze you right now, I’d show you what I mean! Ha! Ha! I’m still fortunate to have a girl like you and happy to now that someday in the future you shall be my wife. Yes!! We have so much to plan together that I think we may not know where [Page 3] to begin. But we shall get started somehow. Is it so? Helen also stated that she sent you the money I told her to and I guess you are busy looking for the rings you want? Wish I were there to go with you but I know I shall like the ones you get without me being there. I try not to worry about you “Darling” but when I don’t hear from you regularly I just start in worrying again. [sic] That’s bad, ain’t it? I’m being teased on this end as much as you are “Sweets” but it doesn’t hinder me none. When they do that, I shall love you more and some of them may be jealous when they tease. Don’t you think so? Someday we shall have a nice home. We shall be very happy too and not [Page 4] one moment shall we forget the Lord and his blessings upon us. He is very understanding and when we bring our plans, troubles, and disappointments before Him, He shall help us to overcome them. I’m not a perfect Christian but that is one of my greatest ambitions. There is one verse I shall always try to remember which is “Lo, I am always with you.” There is a lot of meaning in that verse when one stops to think. Well Darling, I never cease thanking God for having such a swell girl as you and may he bless and keep you safe for me. Will close for this time and write real soon. �Yours Always With Loads of Love & Kisses, Joe {Signature accent mark} [Envelope front] S/Sgt. Joseph P. Olexa (12016893) c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. Co. “L,” 26th Inf. A.P.O. - 1 U. S. Army {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE MAY 30 1944 A.P.O. VIA AIR MAIL 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_1944-05-20 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 1944-05-20 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 20, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 20, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 30, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while sharing his admiration for his future wife and pride in her recent accomplishments at work. He also writes of his faith and how blessed he is to have Agnes in his life. 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/3b22237ea1d44b6cf3424bb8cef01484.pdf 9682d9e2d4eb019f9acb623878b93cab PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/093392cb2ab74192da9100b8637d802c.pdf aaed137fa731e28bf7301335a51e7c53 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1944-05-21] [Page 1] England May 21, 1944. Hello “Darling,” Just got back from church and what a swell service it was. I thought of you being here with me too “Darling” and you never slip my mind, for more than a few minutes at a time. I miss you very much “Darling” and still long for the day when we will be together and tell you how much I’ve missed you. Not only that but to squeeze you as much as I can, to give you a small idea of how much I love you. I can hardly waite [sic] too, to plan our future together and be very [Page 2] happy, sharing our lives together. You keep wiggling so much inside of me that at times I don’t know what to do. See what you’ve done young lady? But I’ll get even someday, just waite and see?!! [sic] Ha! Ha! Maybe, sometime I will steal in to chew your ears while you are sleeping and I’ll bite real hard. That’s going to please me very much too! Ha! Ha! How are your folks these days? Don’t forget to mention that I asked about them. I still haven’t heard from home but expect to any day now. I’m still hoping that my mother, Ollie, and Francis will have time to visit you and the folks soon. I’ve written and asked them too and I know they will. They think a lot of you too “Darling” and they never fail [Page 3] to mention something about you in there [sic] letters to me. I saw two movies lately and one wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. They are “Tarzan Triumphs” (not so hot) and “Light of Heart” which was good. I’m going again tonite [sic] but don’t know what the picture will be as yet. I hope to get that picture of you with your Easter outfit, for I’d like to see what it’s like. Don’t forget to send it, will you? Have you made any cookies for me? If you haven’t, you’d better get started for I’m “starved.” I haven’t rec’d Helen’s packages as yet and hope they don’t get here mashed. Well “Darling” what have you been doing today? Thinking about us? If not I’ll knip [sic] that [Page 4] nose of yours for being so forgetful. Ain’t I a meanie though? Went over to see Roy but he wasn’t in. He’s a hard man to find. He still writes to Mrs. Wenenburg, so they’ll be mighty surprised to hear that we are engaged and that none of their gossip about us was very effective. The nerve of them. Well “Sweets” I shall close with all my love to you. Yours forever, With loads of hugs and kisses {symbols}, “Joe” �{Signature accent mark} PS. I’ll be needing some writing material soon so I hope you have a package on the way. [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 {Postmark} U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE MAY 23 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_1944-05-21 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 1944-05-21 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 21, 1944 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 21, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 23, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after an enjoyable church service, wishing she were there with him and hoping their families will visit each other back home in Michigan. He also writes of the recent movies he has seen including "Tarzan Triumphs" and "Light of Heart." Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Church services 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/96bc0ef877c921f572bcc48fbfeb1609.pdf bfb9d6c301b520735e3340b26768b50c PDF Text Text ����� https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3eab871d1ea7eb70dbbbc16d3225657e.pdf 1640ab03cc962452ec9dea90de0ccd21 PDF Text Text [RHC-93_Olexa_1942-05-22] [Page 1] {Stationary letterhead} U.S. ARMY Co. L, 26th Inf., 1st Inf. Div. Fort Benning, Georgia May 22, 1942. Dear Agnes, Arrived here O.K. and since we were the advance company, we sure did work, getting things ready for the rest of the outfit. Boy, it sure does rain up here and I got soak and wet three times. [sic] Not only that but a lot of red mud to make it perfect. The rest of the outfit just came in this afternoon. We are going to be here five weeks and where it will be after that is beyond me. Now, I’ll tell you just where we are at. [sic] We are in the hills so far that it would take a ten-day furlough to get out. The nearest town is 17 miles and it's about the same to Fort Benning. Of all of the places I’ve been with the Army, this takes [Page 2] the cake. Our sleeping quarters are small pup tents, which is our roll we carry. What’s a buzzin up that way? My writing paper and the things in my barracks bag got all wet so don’t blame me if you can’t read my writing. I heard from home, my sister and brother at college. My sister sent some pictures and I’m sending you one of her, husband and their baby. This fellow is the one who went to school with me. Your pictures you sent to me are turning brown. Must be the finish on them wasn’t so good. Well, sweetness, you’ll owe me a little mail now? Won’t you? I put my sister’s address on the picture, so if you would want to write to her, you can. I got a real surprise the other day [Page 3] when I got a letter from a buddy of mine who was mad at me for 3 years. Now ain’t that something. �It will be a long time, “sweetness,” before I can get a furlough and I’m disappointed too. Well, the Army sure can mess things up within a short notice. I had a small hatchet stolen from me today and it looks as if I’ll have to help myself to get one just like it. Ha! Ha! It sure makes me mad when something happens like that. Incidentally, for company while sleeping or sitting down, we have thousands of ants, sand fleas, chiggers, and etc. The snakes sure are big around here. We killed four already and they average about four and a half feet long and big around as a shovel handle. When I was washing myself in the middle of a stream, which is a [Page 4] mile and a half from here, a fellow was chasing a big snake, trying to kill it, swimming in the water. I didn’t know it at that time, for I thought he was chasing a big fish. After he killed it, my eyes sure did open up when he brought it to me. How’s my little “chick-a-dee” Gloria? Isn’t she going to drop me a line, after a fine letter I sent her. Well, sugar, I will close and write soon. Sincerely yours, Joe {Signature accent mark} P.S. Give the folks my regards. My new addressCpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Fort Benning, Georgia [Envelope front] Cpl. Joe Olexa Co. “L,” 26th Inf. - 1st Inf. Div. A.P.O. #1 Fort Benning, Georgia �{Postmark} FORT BENNING, G.A. MAY 24 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_1942-05-22 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 1942-05-22 Title A name given to the resource Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 22, 1942 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 22, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated May 24, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon arriving at Fort Benning and shares that they will be staying there for five weeks, in a location so remote that the nearest town is 17 miles away. Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th World War, 1939-1945 Soldiers -- Michigan Correspondence Fort Benning (Ga.) 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