Belgian family for PFC Arthur Vriezelaar letter
A Belgian family wrote to PFC Arthur Vriezelaar’s American hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Vriezelaar, sharing warm notes about their son who serves as a radio operator with U.S. forces in Belgium. The message, signed by Jean-Marie Pesche, describes life in liberated Belgium, the young man’s photography hobby, and hopes for a photo from the Vriezelaar family.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
PFC
Arthur Vriezelaar
Henry W. Vriezelaar
America
Ardennies
Belgium
Pax
Jean- Marie Pesche
Wounded in Philippines Bud Vander Ploeg Sends Update
Pfc John Vander Ploeg, 60 mm machine gunner with the 37th Division, was wounded in the Philippines and has a right leg cast. In letters to his parents from Luzon he reports good spirits, eight weeks of recovery, and mentions Pella High basketball plans. His prior wound on Bougainville is recalled. The family hopes for evacuation to Hawaii or the mainland soon.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nick Vander Ploeg
Gerrit W. Visser
Maurice
Iowa
Luzon
Philippines
Pfc
John Vander Ple
Bud
Visser
Pella High
Bougainville
Nick
Lingayan Gulf
Manila
Vander Ploegs
Hawaiian Islands
Listen Myrt Back Turned Customers Will Go Away
A clipped quip notes a speaker telling Myrt that facing away can deter customers. The remark implies a retail or service setting with implied strategy and humor rather than a full narrative. The line captures a moment of casual advice and social tone from an overheard exchange.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Myrt
Peschke Family Members Pose With Donkey Cart
Arthur Vriezelaar writes from Verviers Belgium about Art Peschke family friends. Jean Marie, one of the boys, pens the letter reprinted on this page. Art Vriezelaar persuaded the Belgian to pose with his donkey and cart, his favored transport in the Low Countries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Peschke
Verviers
Belgium
Pfe
Arthur Vriezelaar
Art
Jean Marie
Art Vriezelaar
Low Countries
Bob Wagner joins B-17 crew for final training
Robert Bob Wagner of Lynnville Iowa and former Central College athlete arrived in Sioux City Iowa with the crew for final training in combat flying a B 17. Friends recall his near completion of pilot training before army flight cuts redirected him to gunnery school. Arrival signals a likely upcoming deployment to a combat area.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert
Bob” Wagner
Lynnville
Iowa
Central College
Sioux City
Bob
Wayne Rebertus Sees Pella D-Day Film in Hawaii
I Vander Syde of Pella relayed a nephew's letter from Wayne Rebertus a U S Navy man in Hawaii describing a motion picture showing life in Pella on D Day. He is the son of Mr and Mrs Will Rebertus of Des Moines and has visited Tulip Time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
I. Vander Syde
Pella
Wayne Rebertus
U. S. Navy
Hawaii
Wayne
Ind
Will Rebertus
Des Moines
Girls from Iowa Aid Schick Hospital Through WAC Visit
War era report describes female recruits from Des Moines Waterloo Cedar Rapids and Davenport touring Schick Army General Hospital in Clinton Iowa. They observed wards and facilities to recruit medical assistants for Iowa platoons, meeting wounded soldiers and boosting morale while seeking volunteers for future units. Pvt Betty J Schilling of Jefferson Iowa highlighted the urgent need for medical assistants as Bravo Iowa units form at Fort Oglethorpe Georgia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Schick
Clinton
Iowa
Women's Army Corps
Army Recruit Furnace
Sehick
Army General Hospitals
United States
Purple Heart
Des Maine
Aterloo
Cedar Rapids
Davenport
Red Cross
ETO
Wacs
Waco
Fort Oglethorpe
Towa
Betty J. Schilling
Jefferson
Woman Sworn In Under Purple Heart Plan Speaks
A woman describes joining the Purple Heart Plan after learning her husband was a prisoner in Germany and missing in action for four months. She seeks to aid wounded soldiers and hopes her actions will help bring him home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Purple Heart
Germany
Simple Brake Test Promoted by Police Chiefs Group
A nationwide program by the Association of Chiefs of Police highlights brake safety with a simple test. Place a pinch thick object at the brake pedal base and press down. if it hits before braking begins, brakes need adjustment. Police officers will assist locally.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Association of Chiefs of Police
Veteran Finds Comfort in Des Moines Veterans Facility
The article recounts Alfred Christensen, a World War I veteran, visiting a Des Moines veterans facility near Christmas time. Nurses cared for his arthritis and held his hand, illustrating the compassionate care provided at the shelter. A later portion notes a man with a vast fortune whose heirs receive only a fraction as the remainder goes to the treasury.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alfred Christensen
Des Moines
Also Mentioned on This Page
John
Bud) Vander Ploeg
Vander Linden
Arthur Vriezelanr
Otley
Holland
Pella, Iowa
Elmer
All Pearce
Hitzel
Arlene Harris
Tizzie Lish
King Cole
Jan Garber
Janis Carter
Jim Bannon
de Goey
Linda Darnell
Lynn Bari
Jack Oakie
Benny Goodman
Yes
Greenwich Village
Don Ameche
Carmen Miranda
Vivian Blaine
Willia Bendix
Dane Sa Yaughter
Tenre
Vane al Drosin
Gunsor
Army
Merl Welch
13Th
China
Army Air Corps
Navy
South Pacific
Des Mines
Edward R. Com
Blue Cross
Ordnance Plant
War Department
Armed Forces
United States Employment Service
United States Rubber Company
White Rocks
Harred Rocks
van Dusseldorp
South Pella
J. H. Shinn Hatchery
Chronicle
Des Moines Ordnance Plant
Ray E. Ballard
North Union Street
Fied
Es Ordnance Plant
Margaret Kile
Adel
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!