Honoring Soldiers
Archer's U.S. Victory Museum
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Photo by Chris Wilson
The U.S. Victory Museum is crowded with World War II memorabilia, including flags, uniforms, photos and maps.
The U.S. Victory Museum in Archer features displays of U.S. military history unlike most museums. Owned and operated by Archer resident Armand Caudron, the gallery celebrates American freedom by honoring the sacrifices of U.S. soldiers throughout history.
While the museum recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, collecting World War II artifacts -- and now those of subsequent wars -- has been an obsession of Caudron's for a long time.
"I saw a little boy throwing this knife into the ground at his house in Gainesville," Caudron explained, as he showed off a World War II-era Army knife. "I offered him a few silver dollars for it and that started my interest in collecting these things."
Caudron, whose grandfather Louie fought in World War I and father Jarvice was a World War II veteran, received some items from his family. When he graduated from the University of Florida, Caudron was an officer in the Army and he was sent to Germany. Being in Germany enhanced his passion for meeting war veterans, learning about World War II and collecting artifacts of military history.
"I actually went to some of the bars where the German army guys would go," he said. "I got to hear their stories, so I've heard it from both sides. It just fascinated me. History."
The museum is located on the second story of Caudron's private residence, which was the original Archer City Hall, built in 1890. The 1,800 square-foot second story was originally a theater, complete with a large stage. Caudron spent five years restoring the building from the ground up. He installed central air and heat to protect the donated items.
"We included some modernization, but we still meet all the standards to be on the state and federal historical register," Caudron said. "This was the first location in the state of Florida to show a silent movie."
Caudron, who is a painting contractor, also did some things to the second story to protect the artifacts. He installed special window coverings to diffuse the sunlight. The halogen lights have special lenses. He has special air filters to remove as much dust as possible.
Caudron opened the museum on July 4, 2004 with two tables and only a few items on display. He said things snowballed from there and people began bringing him artifacts and photos to display.
"Now, between all the donations and my own things, we have a collection of historic memorabilia that is worth about $1.5 million," Caudron said. "This is to archive our own military history."
Each display at the U.S. Victory Museum is built to honor the individual veteran whose family donated items. The displays feature the individual's photos, honorable discharge certificates, war souvenirs, uniforms and almost any other item from that era, including an unopened carton of cigarettes.
"Other museums just put their guns in one place, flight jackets in another place and a little tag that says, 'it came from so-and-so,'" Caudron said. "We honor the soldier."
Korean War Day
Caudron often asks local war veterans to come out to greet the museum's visitors. On July 27, Korean War veterans and Alachua County residents Terry Fitzpatrick, Frank Murphy and Ron Carbaugh were on-hand in honor of Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.
Fitzpatrick arrived in Korea in November 1951 and stayed through the armistice, until October 1953.
"I was there through some bitter cold winters," Fitzpatrick said. "The Chinese outnumbered us ten to one. For the Chinese, it was a slaughterhouse."
Murphy arrived in Korea in 1953, about 60 days prior to the armistice, and remained through the end of that year.
"I had to set up the observation posts over the DMZ and had to work with the Turkish brigade," Murphy said.
Carbaugh was among the last of the United Nations' forces to arrive in Korea in 1959, where he was charged with maintaining roads and mine fields and patrolling the DMZ. Despite arriving long after the armistice, Carbaugh said the battles were still going on and his outfit never had any idea about when they would be under attack.
"If the Chinese were to come, we were charged with blowing up the Liberty Bridge, the only bridge between North and South Korea," Carbaugh said. "A lot of people don't realize that the Korean War was the first test of the United Nations. We lost 58,000 men in the three years in Korea."
But, all three men agree that the mission of the U.N. was accomplished and the effects of the Korean War are still being felt today.
"We kicked the North Koreans out of South Korea," Fitzpatrick said. "And, the South Korean people are extremely grateful for that to this day."
Donating to the Museum
The U.S. Victory Museum is always looking for donations of World War II memorabilia and money to help it operate. The museum has an advisory board of five members, including some World War II veterans. However, the museum does not operate as an officially registered non-profit and it does not have any special insurance to cover donated items.
"So much of the historic memorabilia is being given to family members who don't appreciate it," Caudron explained. "It's being put on eBay or sold or donated to Goodwill. Then, that family member's history is lost. If families want to keep their history and to represent their family's service to our country and putting their lives on the line for our freedom, this is the place it should be."
Caudron believes that the museum currently is suffering from space constraints.
"This museum is receiving zero funding and we're desperately in need of expansion," said Caudron. "We need to add more buildings. We need $2 to $4 million."
The U.S. Victory Museum is open to the public on patriotic holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by special appointment. Call 352-495-9339. §
Chris Wilson is a freelance writer living in Newberry. He may be contacted through the editor.
