ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In preparing this book, we have benefited from the assistance of many people; in fact, without their help, we never could have succeeded. First and foremost, we thank our supervisor, Dr. Bruce Turner, for his full support during this project. Thanks are due to the entire Special Collections staff and the Dean’s Office of the Edith Garland Dupré Library at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for their generous support as well.

The people of Evangeline Parish have been so generous in sharing their photographs and their knowledge; we cannot thank them enough. Special thanks go to Pam McGee, who spent countless hours guiding us, encouraging us, and providing many photographs from her own collection. She also pointed us to many others who had photographs and information to share. We are also grateful to Lynn Landreneau for her support and assistance.

We would like to also thank the Ville Platte Mayor’s Office, Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce, Evangeline Sheriff’s Office, Evangeline Parish Library, Pine Prairie Village Hall, Diocese of Lafayette Archives, UL Lafayette Center for Louisiana Studies, Evangeline School Board Office, Evangeline Clerk of Court, and the Ville Platte Gazette, especially David Ortego for all his help.

Many residents of Evangeline Parish shared their photographs and stories for this book. These include Bernice Ardoin, JoAnn Burnett, Rayford and Delores Chapman, Mitzi Duos Cochrane, Joyce Coreil, Bobby Dardeau, Richard Deshotel, Deen Fontenot, Sister Helen Fontenot, Rollins G. Fontenot, Wendel Fuselier, Kathleen DeVille Godchaux, Kathryn Lebleu Guillory, Alice Bacon Guillotte, Sandra Himel, Annette Duos Johnson, Jackie Jones, Leah Kiesel, KVPI Radio, Warren Lafleur, Janis Landreneau, Allison “Sonny” Launey, Runnie F. Matte, Linda McGee, Jo Anna Miller, Kermit Miller, Mike Miller, Clarence Rivers, David Simpson, Elvin Soileau, J.D. Soileau, Kathleen Eastin Soileau, Teresa Van Atta, Barbara Johnson Vautrot, Tim Veillon, J. Kilren Vidrine, Vietnam Veterans Chapter No. 632, and Merlyn Yielding. If we have left anyone out, please be assured that we value your contributions highly. This book could not have been written without your help.

Thanks go to Arcadia Publishing, especially our editors Jason Humphrey, Mary Margaret Schley, and Maggie Bullwinkel for their valuable assistance.

Finally, we especially want to thank our families, Roland R. Vidrine and Leah and Sara Kiesel, for their love and support during this project and always.