{"id":20143,"date":"2017-03-22T09:07:08","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T09:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/?p=20143"},"modified":"2020-01-06T17:45:23","modified_gmt":"2020-01-06T17:45:23","slug":"mdfdeusa-wwi-centennial-happy-97th-anniversary-40-8-mdfdefriendshipmercitrain70","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/2017\/03\/22\/mdfdeusa-wwi-centennial-happy-97th-anniversary-40-8-mdfdefriendshipmercitrain70\/","title":{"rendered":"MDFDE\/USA: WWI Centennial: Happy 97th Anniversary 40 & 8! #MDFDEFriendshipMerciTrain70"},"content":{"rendered":"
The term 40 & 8 doesn\u2019t mean much to most Americans\u2013unless you happened to serve in France during one of the World Wars. But the 40 & 8 still has much meaning today and the story is important to all\u2026 http:\/\/americancountryside.com\/2010\/03\/22\/the-40-and-8-boxcar\/<\/a><\/address>\n

In memory and eternal gratitude to my French maternal grandfather, a railroad veteran who fought during WWI (and lost his wedding ring at the Chemin des Dames), and our heroic French, American soldiers and Allies.<\/p>\n

May We NEVER Take LIBERTY For Granted! E.J.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

#GRATI<\/span>TUDE<\/span><\/h1>\n

#RESIS<\/span>TANCE<\/span><\/h1>\n

#MDFDE<\/span>Friendship<\/span>MerciTrain<\/span>70<\/span><\/h1>\n

\u00a9 The Official French-American Project entirely conceived by Ms. Elisabeth JENSSEN to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Friendship Train and the Merci Train (2017- 2019). All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

Chair,<\/strong> Elisabeth Jenssen<\/p>\n

Honorary President:<\/strong> The Comte Gilbert de Pusy La Fayette<\/p>\n

Contact:<\/strong> elisabeth.jenssen@francaisdeletranger.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Latest<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace” March 21 Press Briefing<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"National<\/a>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8QjbhboApI8<\/a><\/p>\n

National World War I Museum and Memorial <\/a>Ajout\u00e9e le 21 mars 2017 <\/strong>Watch the \u201cIn Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I\u201d Press Briefing, hosted by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, on Tuesday March 21 at 1 p.m. CT at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. The press briefing will announce confirmed special guests, program preview, press credentialing details, and general public ticketing information for the national commemoration ceremony \u201cIn Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I\u201d on April 6th in Kansas City, Mo.<\/div>\n
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La Grande Guerre 1914-1918 – Le Chemin des Dames<\/h2>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pchun8eY5xs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As International Francophonie Day<\/strong>\/<\/b>la Journ\u00e9e internationale de la Francophonie <\/em><\/strong>is observed within the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and its 77 member states every March 20, to celebrate the French language and Francophone culture, it is quite moving to know that the 40 & 8 Society<\/strong> was also founded in March, 97 years ago… E.J.<\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight was formed in 1920 by American Legionnaires as an honor society and from it’s earliest days it has been committed to charitable aims. Membership is by invitation for members of the American Legion who have shown exemplary service. All Forty & Eight members are thus Veterans of congressionally recognized wartime periods via their Legion membership.<\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight\u2019s titles and symbols reflect it’s First World War origins. American servicemen in France were transported to the battle front on narrow gauge French railroads (Chemin de Fer) inside boxcars (Voitures) that were half the size of American boxcars. Each French boxcar was stenciled with a \u201c40\/8\u201d, denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses. This ignominious and uncomfortable mode of transportation was familiar to all who traveled from the coast to the trenches; a common small misery among American soldiers who thereafter found \u201c40\/8\u201d a lighthearted symbol of the deeper service, sacrifice and unspoken horrors of war that truly bind those who have borne the battle. http:\/\/poynettelegion.org\/index.php?id=75<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"R\u00e9sultat<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux<\/h1>\n
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40 & 8<\/a><\/h1>\n
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The Forty & Eight was founded in 1920 by American veterans returning from France.<\/strong> Originally an arm of The American Legion, the Forty & Eight became an independent and separately incorporated veteran’s organization in 1960. Membership is by invitation of honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the United States Armed Forces.<\/p>\n

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History Highlights of the Forty & Eight<\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

1920<\/strong><\/p>\n

In March of 1920, Joseph W. Breen, a member of the newly formed American Legion and an officer of Breen-McCracken Legion Post 297, met in Philadelphia with fifteen other prominent Legionnaires where they originated the idea of The Forty & Eight.\u00a0 They envisioned a new and different level of elite membership and camaraderie for leaders of the American Legion.\u00a0 The box car of the French Railways, so familiar to American ground troops of the First World War, was chosen as the symbolic heart of the new organization.\u00a0 The French\/Railroad theme was applied to officer titles and organizational functions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The organization was named La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (the Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses).\u00a0 Its members were called Voyageurs Militaire (military travelers) and candidates for membership were called Prisonniers de Guerre (Prisoners of War).\u00a0 The \u201c40\/8\u201d cargo capacity sign emblazoned on each French boxcar that had carried American doughboys to the front, and also the “French horizon blue” color, became symbols of the new society.\u00a0<\/strong> An initiation ceremony was developed based on the common wartime experiences of American soldiers, sailors and marines, incorporating fun making with patriotic bonding.<\/p>\n

The first statewide Forty & Eight Promenade (meeting) was held in June, 1920, following the 2nd Annual Convention of the American Legion\u2019s Department of Pennsylvania. \u00a0Several prominent Legionnaires were wrecked (initiated) and Joseph W. Breen was unanimously elected Chef de Chemin de Fer (President of the Railroad).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The new Forty & Eight organization agreed to send a delegation to the Legion\u2019s national convention in Cleveland, Ohio, with as much fanfare as possible in order to introduce the Forty & Eight to the nation and to other Legionnaires. \u00a0A railroad box car was rented and in it the Forty & Eight delegation rode the rails to the Cleveland Legion convention. \u00a0This publicity stunt gained substantial news coverage for the energetic new elite organization.\u00a0 In Cleveland more than 700 Legionnaires became members of the Forty & Eight.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1921\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the Forty & Eight\u2019s Promenade Nationale (national convention) in Kansas City, a national constitution was adopted and a national headquarters was established in Seattle, Washington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1922<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the Promenade Nationale in New Orleans, a Children\u2019s Welfare project was established, with monies to be raised via an annual assessment of 50 cents from dues collections, to be used for the care of orphaned children.<\/p>\n

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1923\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The National Headquarters of the Forty & Eight was moved to Indianapolis.\u00a0 The Forty & Eight was integrated as an equal partner with The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary, all with common interests in Child Welfare. \u00a0Forty & Eight Child Welfare Program funds ($24,823.91) were safely invested to grow to meet future needs. \u00a0A joint policy committee of members from all three organizations was established.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1925<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the 6th Promenade Nationale, in Omaha, Nebraska, $25,000.00 was set aside to establish a Child Welfare Fund. (This was a precursor to today\u2019s Charles Ardery Child Welfare Trust).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1926<\/strong><\/p>\n

At Promenade Nationale in Philadelphia, Forty & Eight membership was reported to be 32,449.<\/p>\n

A major focus of discussion was the growth of American Legion membership, which had previously been declining annually since the Legion\u2019s inception.\u00a0 Much of the Legion\u2019s new growth was attributed to extraordinary recruiting efforts by Forty & Eight\u2019s Voyageurs who had brought in more than 17,000 new members for the American Legion. \u00a0Voyageur William Mundt of Voiture 24, Bloomington, Illinois, was recognized for having signed up 509 new Legion members.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1928<\/strong><\/p>\n

Forty & Eight programs expanded in concert with The American Legion.\u00a0 Membership, Child Welfare, Junior Baseball, Americanism and Emergency Relief became key Forty & Eight programs.\u00a0 Annual donations continued to the Child Welfare Fund, with $18,960 earmarked for 1928. \u00a0Additionally, Voiture Locales devised their own charitable programs, such as Voiture 220 of Chicago sponsoring a youth summer camp.<\/p>\n

During the depression years, the Forty & Eight and The American Legion grew steadily. \u00a0Forty & Eight Voyageurs enrolled 27,000 new members in the Legion during 1928-1929, and were instrumental in helping The American Legion to pass the one million members mark.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1932<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight declared War on Childhood Diphtheria.\u00a0 Vaccination toxin was distributed via Voiture Nationale to children whose parents could not afford it. \u00a0Physicians donated their services, and educational campaigns were carried out to combat the disease.<\/p>\n

From 1932 through 1936, the Forty & Eight sought to influence Congress regarding veteran’s benefits. \u00a0These were the \u201cBonus March\u201d Depression years when WWI veterans and the federal government were at times in open conflict.\u00a0 The Forty & Eight sponsored national radio programs, featuring well know political figures, to bring equitable treatment of war veterans to the national forefront. \u00a0Realizing that power came with numbers, the Forty & Eight brought in 111,159 new American Legion members. \u00a0The efforts of the Forty & Eight ultimately helped convince Congress to pass, over a presidential veto, the compensation act for America\u2019s war veterans.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1936<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 17th Promenade Nationale was held in Cleveland with a huge parade lasting nearly three hours. \u00a0Membership reached 34,809.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1938<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight began sponsoring Boys State in 20 states. \u00a0Charitable efforts increased as Voitures provided iron lungs, sponsored anti-juvenile delinquency programs, and supported Legion Baseball and Scouting.\u00a0 Many Legion leaders are members of the Forty & Eight.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1941<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the Second World War, the Forty & Eight rolled up its sleeves.\u00a0 While continuing to support its existing charitable and patriotic programs, the Forty & Eight expanded its efforts to meet wartime needs. \u00a0Individual Forty & Eight members volunteered for military service, served as air raid wardens and in other civil defense capacities, aided in salvage drives, bond drives, blood drives, visited hospitals, and helped recruiting efforts for the Armed Services.<\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight made a special effort to insure every serviceman on transport ships overseas had a deck of cards. \u00a0Over 60,000 decks were initially distributed, 610,498 decks in the second year, and a million decks in 1943-1944.\u00a0 Ultimately, over 4 million decks of card were distributed.<\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight also began issuing Nursing Scholarships.\u00a0 By September of 1942, over 100 nurses had been received education grants.<\/p>\n

Increasing Legion membership was deemed vital to organizing veterans to help the war effort.\u00a0 The Forty & Eight exceeded its goals by gaining 211,301 new Legion members, thereby helping to bringing the Legion to an all time high in membership.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1945<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 25th Anniversary of the Forty and Eight coincided with the end of World War II.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The organization began a new program to provide free telephone calls home for returning wounded servicemen. \u00a0This successful program was seeded by Grande du Kentucky contributing $50,000 and Grande du Indiana providing $39,000.\u00a0 With the end of rationing and travel restrictions, Forty and Eight members were able to meet more frequently.<\/p>\n

Over two hundred veteran organizations sprouted up across the country. Veterancy was booming.\u00a0 The Forty and Eight brought more than half a million new members to The American Legion.\u00a0 The Forty & Eight continued to bring influential Legionnaires together from various posts, thus strengthening unity within the Legion. \u00a0Forty & Eight membership exceeded 70,000.<\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight\u2019s annual contribution to the Legion\u2019s Child Welfare Fund continued throughout the war.\u00a0 Due to an increase in numbers of World War II veteran’s children, the Forty & Eight increased its annual Child Welfare contribution to $30,000 in 1945 and to $50,000 in 1946.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1947<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight began its long association with the Hanson\u2019s Disease (leprosy) research hospital in Carville, Louisiana, by funding all publication costs for the hospital\u2019s patient-published magazine “The Star”. \u00a0The Forty & Eight purchased a printing press and other equipment to help the patients carry on \u201ctheir fight against the ignorance which surrounds this disease.”<\/p>\n

Forty & Eight membership rose to 95,000.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1949<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight welcomed the French Gratitude Train<\/em>. \u00a0French railroad boxcar were sent to each American state, filled with gifts from the French people who wished to say \u201cmerci\u201d for America freeing the French from Nazi tyranny.\u00a0 The Forty & Eight, being an elite corps of American veterans with its symbol being the WWI French boxcar, was instrumental in welcoming these WWII boxcars.\u00a0 Voyageurs in each state participated in ceremonies, and in many states took responsibility for maintaining the boxcar in museum or display settings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1955<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight formally established its Nurses Training program.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1959 (1960)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight severed ties with the Legion and became an independent organization.<\/p>\n

There had been ripples of discontent for several years.\u00a0 The organizations were fundamentally different.\u00a0 The Legion was large, easy to join and non-fraternal.\u00a0 The Forty & Eight was elite, by-invitation and racially restrictive.\u00a0 The Forty & Eight had monetary resources many in the Legion deemed theirs.\u00a0 Conversely, the Forty & Eight objected to funding Legion programs with large amounts of money, without adequate recognition in return.\u00a0 The Legion pressed the Forty & Eight to change its constitution to be racially inclusive.\u00a0<\/strong> These differences brought the two organizations to logger heads. \u00a0Eventually, the American Legion refused to allow the Forty and Eight to hold its Promenade Nationale in the same city with the Legion\u2019s National Convention.<\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight thus became independent, but with many vestiges of its parent organization remaining intact, including the Forty & Eight continuing to only accept Legion members.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1963<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Nurses Training Program sponsored 2,129 nurses for a total of $248,047 in scholarships.<\/p>\n

Female relatives of Forty & Eight members organized the auxiliary, La Societe de Femme.<\/em>\u00a0 Cabanes (units) were formed in 15 states with over 1,000 initial members. \u00a0The purpose of the affiliate organization was to, “further the programs of the Forty and Eight”.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1964<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recognizing that its previous donations to the Legion\u2019s Child Welfare Fund had amounted to over 1.2 million dollars, the Forty & Eight established the new Charles W. Ardery Child Welfare Fund<\/em> as an irrevocable trust, seeded it with $300,000 and drew up rules governing the dispersal of its funds as reimbursements to Voitures for local instances of rendering aid\/assistance.<\/p>\n

Other programs listed for the year were; Flag Education, Memorial Day Programs, Boys State, Girls State, Scouting and the Christmas Tree of Lights program.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1965<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the Promenade Nationale in Baltimore, Maryland, it was announced that 51 Voitures had aided 770,086 children with a total Child Welfare expenditure value of $2,690,296.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1969<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Charles W. Ardery Child Welfare Trust Fund granted over $400,000.\u00a0 The trust\u2019s growth was attributed in part to a 50 cent assessment for Child Welfare in members\u2019 annual dues.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1972<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ardery Trust Fund presented a $10,000 grant to the University of Kentucky for research into Cystic Fibrosis.\u00a0 A $4,363 grant was made to the University of Illinois for research into the causes of Childhood Diabetes.\u00a0 Total Ardery trust expenditures for the year were over $37,000.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1973 (1974)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight, by a vote of 1,280 to 467, amended its constitution to prohibit any Voiture from restricting its membership by race.<\/p>\n

A nationwide gas shortage made it difficult for many to travel to the proposed 55th<\/sup> Promenade National in Anaheim, California. The Promenade site was changed to St. Louis, Missouri.<\/p>\n

A Child Welfare grant of $10,000 was made to the University of Wisconsin for Juvenile Diabetes research.\u00a0 The Nurses Training program reported 2,475 nurses received financial help, with $291,000 spent on nursing grants.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1975<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight established the George Boland Nurses Training Trust Fund<\/em>, with a $100,000 start up grant, in honor of Nebraska\u2019s George B. Boland, who had served as Chef de Chemin de Fer in 1952 and as Avocat National (national attorney) for many years.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1977<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight established the Outstanding Law Officer of the Year award program.\u00a0 John C. Wodetzki, Chief of Police of Lincoln, Illinois, was selected as the first recipient of the award.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1978 – 1979\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Charles W. Ardery Child Welfare Trust Fund grated $15,600 to the National Jewish Hospital in Denver to purchase special medical equipment. \u00a0A second grant of $10,000 was made to Children’s Hospital of St. Petersburg, Florida for Newborn Intensive Care Unit equipment. \u00a0$16,600 was granted to Saint Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, to purchase a new spectrophotometer. \u00a0$6,329,276 was reported expended in money, materials, mileage and man hours throughout the Forty & Eight for the Child Welfare program.<\/p>\n

Voyageurs contributed a total of 6,481 pints of blood. \u00a0The Carville Star program had 100 percent participation and contributions exceeded $93,000.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1980<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight began its partnership in the Veterans Administration Voluntary Service program.\u00a0 By 1985, Voyageurs were participating in 230 medical facilities serving veterans.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1982<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight adopted, as a Child Welfare subsidiary program, AAU\/USA Junior Olympics.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1991<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight revised its Preamble to reflect its charitable, non-profit nature. — \u201dFor God and country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To create a charitable and non-profit veterans organization; to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to assist and promote the welfare and well-being of those who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, during all wars and conflicts, recognized the Congress of the United States, and their widows and orphans; to participate in all memorial services for and to be part in and to encourage others to participate in the proper observance of all days honoring veterans’ to preserve the memories of our Services in the Armed Forces of our Country; to actively participate within our membership in projects relating to (a) the welfare of the children of America; (b) the health of our Nation by fostering a nurses training program; and (c) selected charitable endeavors.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1992<\/strong><\/p>\n

In response to hurricanes in Florida, the Forty & Eight responded with donations of clothing, household goods and medical supplies.\u00a0 In Florida City alone, 255 children were provided food vouchers, clothing and household goods and $11,000 was granted to needy families.<\/strong> \u00a0Relief teams of Voyageurs traveled into disaster areas to distribute clothing and supplies. \u00a0In Hawaii, where a hurricane had come ashore on Kauai, the Ardery Trust assisted 80 children.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight\u2019s Flags for First Graders program is found to be popular among Voyageurs who conduct flag education programs in elementary schools. \u00a0The program is responsible for educating thousands of American youth in the flag history, respect and protocol.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1993<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional to it conducting its many ongoing charitable program efforts, the Forty & Eight assisted victims of natural disasters in Michigan and Missouri.\u00a0 $30,000 in aid was given to families of children in flooded areas. \u00a0A $3,070 grant was given to the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home. \u00a0Voyageurs of Washington state were applauded for contributing in excess of $150,000 annually (since 1985) to charitable projects in their community.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1994<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year marked both the 100th year founding of the Gillis W. Long Hanson’s Disease Center (leprosy research) in Carville, Louisiana, and the 50th anniversary of the Forty & Eight’s sponsorship of the patient-published Carville \u201cStar\u201d Magazine.<\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight established a national Youth Sports program, to encompass and expand beyond the narrower scope of the existing Junior Olympics program.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

2001<\/strong><\/p>\n

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon occurred one day before the Forty & Eight Promenade Nationale was scheduled to begin in Hagerstown, Maryland, not far from Camp David.\u00a0<\/strong> Terrorists crashed a civilian airliner just north of town.\u00a0 Voyageurs already at Hagerstown were briefly isolated by security forces.\u00a0 Many Voyageurs and spouses were stranded at airports, some were mid-air during the attacks, and several found it impossible to reach Hagerstown.\u00a0 The organization voted total support for America in its war on terror.<\/p>\n

The Forty & Eight immediately began around-the-clock delivery of relief goods to New York and Washington, D.C.\u00a0 215 tons of relief goods valuing $881,000 were reported delivered in the aftermath of the attacks.\u00a0 11 trips by truck we made over 24 days to \u201cground zero\u201d in NYC.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

2006<\/strong><\/p>\n

Women\u00a0veterans become eligible to join\u00a0the Forty & Eight.<\/strong>\u00a0 Like their male counterparts,\u00a0women too must be members\u00a0of the American Legion and be invited to join the Forty & Eight.<\/p>\n

The debate on this issue was between honoring\u00a0the all-male battle past that created the founders of this organization and honoring today’s male-and-female battle veterans who\u00a0are America’s modern military.\u00a0 It was decided that the best way to honor the past, is\u00a0by honoring\u00a0the male and female<\/em>\u00a0battle veterans who are American’s future.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

2008<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Promenade Nationale brought a major change to the Constitution of La Societe. You no longer have to belong to the American Legion to join La Societe.\u00a0 With two-thirds of the members at the Nationale Promenade in Orlando, Florida voting yes to remove the requirement it opens up our membership to any honorably discharged veteran or anyone on active duty. It is still by invitation only. How this will change La Societe only time will tell.<\/p>\n

Links:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.fortyandeight.org\/history-of-the-408\/<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.fortyandeight.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/2017\/02\/02\/mdfdeusa-all-aboard-the-merci-train-1947-2019-here-comes-the-magellan-new-york-city-mdfdefriendshipmercitrain70\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.francaisdeletranger.org\/en\/2016\/12\/20\/mdfdeusa-all-aboard-the-american-friendship-train-1947-2017-kudos-to-the-late-drew-pearson-mdfdejesuisladyliberty130-131-mdfdefriendshiptrainmercitrain70\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The term 40 & 8 doesn\u2019t mean much to most Americans\u2013unless you happened to serve in France during one of the World Wars. But the 40 & 8 still has much meaning today and the story is important to all\u2026 http:\/\/americancountryside.com\/2010\/03\/22\/the-40-and-8-boxcar\/ In memory and eternal gratitude to my French maternal grandfather, a railroad veteran who 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