*Post written by James Wethington, library assistant of the University Archives and Special Collections.
November 11th is Veterans’ Day. On this day, we remember and honor those men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces and those who died. It became a national holiday on 1938; however, originally known as Armistice Day, celebrating the armistice in World War 1 until 1954, when the name of the holiday was changed (Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2017). Today, we honor an Evansville-native and Vietnam War veteran: Rick Winters.
![Dear Mom and Dad, Well how is everything going back there in the world fine I hope[.] Hows Maurice doing[?] I sure hope he's ok[.] Well I'm glad you got you got a big laugh out of my last letter[.] Well around here I get plenty of fresh air walking 10-20 miles hikes[.] Drink that good old rice patty water ok! That is the most horrible tasting water you[.] You just wouldn't believe how bad it is[.] Well right now, I am on radio watch again but that's better than [humpine] that's for sure[.] How is everybody doing[?] Fine I hope[.] I 'm running a air stike now be in a few min ok. Well I'm back now! Ah! Didn't do anything except kill 8 gooks an I'm over a mile away sitting on a nice hill safe from them crazy gooks which they are very crazy[.] Them pot blowing [dudes][.] Ah well, what can I say this whole whole is a game[.] That seems funny but it is a game[.] Just what I can I say[.] Well sure](https://ricelib.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/mss-210-1-17-2_01.jpg "MSS 210-1-17-2_01")
![hope everything is going fine back at the home front still exciting as ever[.] Well you take care of yourself and I'll be sending another check home, this month! If everything works out ok[.] Hey payday oh! Tell me how much fixing the car is going to run and I'll send the money when I can. Alright well I've got to go[.] See ya! Love, Rick PS-Write](https://ricelib.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/mss-210-1-17-2_02.jpg "MSS 210-1-17-2_02")
Born on September 6, 1949 in Marion, Kentucky, Winters attended and graduated from Bosse High School in 1967. He served in the Vietnam War as a Marine in the TACP 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, as a forward air controller. After the war, he attended the University of Southern Indiana (then known as Indiana State University-Evansville) and graduating with a bachelors’ degree in political science. Winters was active in numerous veteran organizations such as the Vanderburgh Veterans Council, VFW #1114, American Legion Post #8 and many more. Winters past away on September 10, 2015 (“Rickey Winters”, 2017).
Though he is gone, his memory lives on in the wonderful materials in his collection. Rick was an avid collector and amateur historian in his own right. Over the years, he donated to the University Archives and Special Collections his personal collection of USWA wrestling programs, yearbooks, photographs, and many other items. On the Rice Library Digital Gallery, his personal letters and photographs from Vietnam are available online. The University Archives and Special Collections has other collections from war veterans such as the Louis Puster, Roy Kennedy, Kenneth McCutchan, and many more.
References
Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica (2017, July 14). Veterans’ Day. Retrieved on November 9, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Veterans-Day
Rickey Winters (2017). Retrieved on November 9, 2017, from http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/courierpress/obituary.aspx?pid=175810022
amUSIngArtifacts 