Voiture Locale 99 – La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux

The Forty and Eight was founded in 1920 by American Veterans returning from Service in France during World War I. It was originally designed as the honor society of the American Legion, which required membership before consideration in the 40/8. The organization became a separate and independently incorporated veteran’s fraternal organization in 1960. Membership is offered by invitation only, to honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces..

We are committed to charitable and patriotic aims. Our purpose is to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United Sates, promote the wellbeing of veterans, their widows, widowers and orphans, and to actively participate in selected charitable endeavors, which include programs that promote child welfare and nurses training. .

The symbol of the 40/8 is the Boxcar. This was derived from the experiences of American troops during World War I, Troops were carried to and from the war front on the narrow gage French railroad system in Boxcars. Small, cramped and uncomfortable, each car was designed to hold either forty men or eight horses. The numbers 40/8 were normally stenciled on either side of the car. This mode of transportation was an uncomfortable, but common experience for all troops that fought in the trenches. It was retained as a lighthearted symbol of the of the deeper service, unspoken horrors and shared sacrifice that bind all who have endured combat..

The early history of the forty and eight mirrors that of the American Legion, continued growth and involvement in the community, state and nation. In 1922, a National Child Welfare Program was adopted by the National Convention of the 40/8 then held in New Orleans, LA. This was to be the first of many charitable endeavors to be sponsored by this organization. By 1923 the Forty and Eight was a fully integrated and equal partner with the American Legion and shared many of the programs and goals of the Legion. By the mid-nineteen thirties, programs to increase the membership of both the American Legion and the 40/8 were fully underway. Efforts were focused on Child Welfare, Junior Baseball, Americanism, and emergency relief. The 40/8 joined with the American Legion to convince Congress to recognize veteran’s benefits. These were known as the “Bonds Marches”. When childhood diphtheria became rampant, the 40/8 obtained the vaccination toxin and had it distributed to children in need thorough volunteer physicians and helped to establish educational programs to combat the disease. Voitures across the country provided negative pressure ventilators (iron lungs) for polio victims. Anti-juvenile delinquency programs were established, and support of Legion Baseball and Scouting were emphasized. .

During World War II, The members of the 40/8 served their communities as air raid wardens, aided in salvage efforts and blood drives. They visited hospitals and helped recruiting efforts for the armed forces. A Nursing Scholarship Program was introduced and by September of 1942, over 100 Scholarships were granted. By the end of the war, over one million decks of playing cards were distributed to members of the armed forces. A program was established to provide returning “wounded” servicemen with free telephone calls to their homes. In 1947, the 40/8 began its association with Hanson’s Disease (leprosy) research hospital in Louisiana, by funding all publication costs of its magazine, The Star. This was done in an effort to help educate the public about them is understood disease. During this period, the “Friendship Train” crisscrossed America collecting food and clothing from American donors for shipment to the people in post war France and Italy. In 1949 the French Gratitude Train also known as the “Merci Train” consisting of 49 boxcars arrived in the U.S. This was Europe’s response to the Friendship Train. Each state was provided with one boxcar that contained dolls, statues, clothing, ornamental objects, art and furniture. The Merci Train Boxcar for Washington State is located in Yakima. The Symbol of the 40/8 is the WWI French Boxcar, and the organization was instrumental in welcoming these to each state by participating in ceremonies and in many instances taking responsibility for maintaining each boxcar in a museum or display setting. The post war years saw a tremendous increase in the membership of both the Legion and the 40/8. In 1955 the 40/8 formally established its Nurses Training Program. To date, over 50,000 Nursing Scholarships have been provided by the National Program. Many individual Voitures (locale chapters) have established Nursing Scholarships programs of their own at local community colleges. Voiture 99 has been sponsoring nursing students at Clark Community College and has provided over a thousand scholarships since the program began..

During the post war years, membership in both the Legion and the 40/8 grew with both organizations reaching or exceeding the million-member mark.In 1960,the forty and eight severed ties with the American Legion and became an independent organization. Membership in the Legion was still a prerequisite for membership in the 40/8. No longer the case, membership in the Forty and Eight is now available to all honorably discharged veterans and currently serving members of the American Armed Forces..

Today, as in the past, the 40/8 and its members concentrate on the goals established by our founders. Service to our communities, state and nation by supporting programs that include Americanism, (Flags for 1st Graders)the publication of the Carville Star, Child Welfare, Nurses Training Scholarship programs, POW/MIA Educational Grants, Veterans Affairs and Veterans Service programs are among the many services the Forty and Eight supports. Additionally, Youth Sports and Special Awards programs honoring Teachers, Firefighters, Police Officers and EMT personnel for their outstanding service to our community have also been added. All these programs are funded by the sale of pins, fund raising activities and contributions by individuals and corporations. .

The Forty and Eight, is a fraternal veteran organization, whose members are invited to join by the membership, and who have demonstrated by their actions, their desire to continue to serve their communities by supporting programs that contribute to the welfare of our nation.

Christmas Dinner

Costco Hero’s Day Event

Christmas Dinner Celebration

Honoring Veterans

Hero’s Day Celebration

A time to honor our hero’s.

Uphold and defend the United States Constitution

Help us promote the well being of veterans, their widows, and orphans.