Sergeant Leston "Tony" Michael Winters

A Heart of Gold Stopped Beating. Two Shinning Eyes Are At Rest. God Broke Our Hearts To Prove He Only Takes The Very Best. Love YOU & Miss YOU Cousin

Tony was not only my cousin but my hero. I will miss him terribly! YOU are not forgotten. YOU will always be in my heart and on my mind. . . .

Just an old firend, saying sorry of your blessed Tony.

I did not know Sergeant Leston "Tony" Michael Winters, nor do I know his family. But I felt it very important to pay my respects to his family & friends. All gave some, some gave it all. Thank you for the sacrifice that you all have made for myself & my family. Sergeant Winters, thank you for defending our freedoms that so many of us take for granted everyday. I know that you are resting safely in the arms of Jesus now. May God wrap His loving arms around your family & friends and carry them through these very difficult times. I pray for peace in their hearts & that you will be always remembered for your honorable service. God Bless you all and God Bless the USA

It has taken some time for me to deal with the tragic loss of my friend Mike. I am not so elequent with words, I can only share my feelings and my momories of this wonderful man and fallen soldier medic. From our perspective in the Emergency Room at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, we had already felt the loss of his medical expertise, his companionship, and his amazing sense of humor as he PCS'd to Ft Campbell, Kentucky.

I was lucky enough to take Mike hunting several times with our elite deerhunting group and although we did not get the big one, Mike did! That message of "Big Buck Down" was heard around the hospital, and perhaps the entire world. I will never forget taking it to the taxidermist. Man was he proud! I have a great picture of him with the 11-point buck.

The ceremonies at Arlington, Virginia have been announced for the 15th and 16th of August. I will be there with many others from our loyal contingency to pay final respect to our brother who has paid the ultimate price for keeping this nation free from those who would choose to do harm.

I leave you with a copy of a letter written to a Mrs. Bixby during the Civil War, but its message, along with Mike, will never be forgotten.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,--

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Although we did not know each other for a long time, I want to tell Beth, his children, his mother, and siblings, that I am sorry for their loss.
Mike was always talking about his wife and kids. It show that he was a great husband and father. He loved fishing and hunting.
I am blessed that after 7 combat tours, my husband finally came home last month and we will always be greatful to Mike for the ultimate sacrifize he made. May God bless you and guide you through your time of healing.

Cheryl, I don't know you very well but my heart aches for you and your family. Please know that all of you are in my prayers. May you all find peace, comfort and healing in God's loving arms.

May the peace that passes all understanding be with the precious Spivey family. Our Father in heaven hears your cries of anguish. He is gracious and righteous and full of compassion (Psalm 116:1-7). In Him may you find comfort and rest. I love you all so much and my heart aches for the sorrow and despair you must feel. Hold on to faith and cling to the remembrance that this is not the end of your time with Tony. There will be a great reunion one day behind the pearly gates. On behalf of my entire family, our thoughts and prayers are with you daily.

Tiffany Smith Merriwether

You never know how much a person means to you until they are truly gone.....Although I was 2yrs younger than Tony I knew him from school. He was a kind soul and was liked by everyone that he came across. I enjoyed having talks with him and I am proud to have known this GREAT man who served our country. I am sorry for your loss and I know that he is looking down on you and your family....May God Bless You and your family in this time of loss.

My heart goes out to you and your family and my prayers will be with you. May God give you comfort and His peace as only He can. God Bless.