Voiture 410 Loses a Voyageur and a Friend
Lt. Commander Daniel “Danny” Rodriguez passed away on January 28th. He was our Nurses Training Director, and a big reason why our little program is off to a great start. He couldn’t make our meetings after after his health declined, but he was always there cheering us on and answering questions when we needed him.
You can find Obituary here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kenoshanews/name/daniel-rodriguez-obituary?id=60670276
You might consider sharing your memories of him there, or extend condolences to his family.
At the memorial service at St. Mark’s in Kenosha, Danny’s daughter was there to greet us — answering questions and sharing memories with the same warmth and kindness her father was known for.
Not many people call me Senior Chief any more, but the Commander did. I’m going to miss him.
Honoring a Legacy of Caring:
Voiture 410 Hosts Nurses Training Scholarship Banquet
American Legion Post 21 · Kenosha, Wisconsin
On the evening of January 24, 2026, American Legion Post 21 in Kenosha was filled with warmth, pride, and the timeless spirit of service as Voiture 410 — La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux — hosted its Nurses Training Scholarship Banquet. The event brought together scholarship recipients, community leaders, and veterans to celebrate a program that has helped nursing students across the country for over seven decades.
It was an evening that looked both backward and forward — honoring nurses whose careers began with a Forty & Eight scholarship in the 1960s, and welcoming those who are continuing that tradition today.
An Evening of Honor
Chef de Gare Jim Schmidt opened the program with a welcome that set the tone for the evening — one of gratitude, history, and renewed purpose. The Invocation was offered by Aumonier Jon Lyons, followed by dinner and an impressive roster of distinguished speakers.
Grande Chef de Gare Melissa Guthmiller represented the Wisconsin Grand Voiture, while Grande Nurses Training Director Dale Mitchell spoke to the national significance of the program and the importance of local Voitures like 410 in keeping it vibrant.
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman delivered remarks that resonated deeply with the room, speaking to the vital role veterans organizations play in the fabric of the community. Mayor of Kenosha David F. Bogdala also addressed the gathering, sharing a personal account of nursing’s importance in his own family history — a reminder that the nurses this program helps go on to touch countless lives. “We were impressed by Mayor Bogdala’s speaking skills and hope to welcome him back next year!”
The presence of two of Kenosha County’s top elected officials at a veterans nursing scholarship banquet spoke volumes about the program’s standing in the community.
The Honorees
Four individuals were recognized at the banquet, each representing a different chapter in the long story of the Forty & Eight Nurses Training Program.
Brenna Garland — Current Scholarship Recipient
Brenna received a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her selection into the Nurses Training Program. She represents the program’s future — a nursing student whose path forward is being supported by the same organization that helped so many before her.
Lara Lockhart — 2024 Program Graduate
Lara received her Certificate and official Forty & Eight Nurses Training Pin in recognition of completing the program in 2024. Her pin is a mark of accomplishment earned by nurses who have carried forward the mission this organization has championed since 1955.
Brad Cramlet — 1996 Program Participant & Sous Nurses Training Director, Voiture 410
Brad’s connection to the program spans three decades — first as a scholarship recipient in 1996, and now as Sous Nurses Training Director for Voiture 410. He received the official Forty & Eight Nurses Training Pin and a Certificate of Appreciation, a fitting tribute to someone who has given back what was once given to him.
Kathleen (Smith) Norris — Legacy Nurse, Keynote Speaker
Kathleen was presented with the official Forty & Eight Nurses Training Pin and a Certificate of Appreciation in honor of her nursing career that began with a Voiture 410 scholarship in the 1960s. She also served as the evening’s keynote speaker — and she brought the room to its feet.
“Nursing Is Life” — The Keynote Address
When Kathleen Norris stepped to the podium, she brought with her a framed portrait from her nursing school days and a bouquet of flowers — but more remarkably, she brought the original essay she wrote in 1968, titled “What Nursing Means To Me,” penned as Kathleen Ann Smith while still a student. She read from it that evening, and her words — written nearly sixty years ago — felt as relevant as ever.
In her essay, the young Kathleen wrote of nursing as “an art, a science, a service, a way of life” — and described discovering its meaning in the quiet, human moments: listening to the hopeless, comforting the frightened, sharing life with proud parents and death with grieving families. She concluded her essay with words that moved the room:
“To me, nursing is life; that special something that has become an inseparable part of my maturing personality; something that will remain with me and mold me into the person I strive to become.”
— Kathleen Ann Smith, “What Nursing Means To Me,” June 15, 1968
The essay’s closing lines acknowledged “the kindness of my dear friends, the 40 and 8” — the same organization whose members were now seated before her, six decades later, presenting her with a pin and applauding her career.
Kathleen also brought mementos from her nursing school graduation — photographs and her treasured nurse’s cap — which were displayed at the banquet. The sight of her young portrait alongside the woman she had become was one of the evening’s most touching moments.
Her address made clear why this program matters — not just in scholarships and certificates, but in lives shaped, communities served, and a legacy of care that spans generations.
Unable to Attend: Sandra Riese
Another Legacy Nurse, Sandra Riese, was unable to join us due to prior commitments. A graduate of our scholarship program from the 1960s, Sandra has devoted her career to patient care and community leadership, with her name appearing regularly in local publications for her charitable work. We look forward to honoring her at a future event.
Looking Ahead
The success of this year’s banquet has energized Voiture 410’s commitment to growing the Nurses Training Program in the years to come. We are actively seeking Legacy Nurses — those who received Forty & Eight scholarships in past decades — to be honored at our next banquet.
If you or someone you know received a Forty & Eight nursing scholarship and would like to reconnect with Voiture 410, please reach out. Your story matters, and we would be honored to celebrate it.
Contact us at: voiture410@sewivets.org | sewivets.org/Voiture410
About the Forty & Eight Nurses Training Program
La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux — the Forty & Eight — is an honor society of American veterans founded in 1920. Its name honors the French boxcars of World War I, marked “40 Hommes / 8 Chevaux” (40 men or 8 horses), that carried American soldiers to the front.
Since 1955, the Forty & Eight Nurses Training Program has helped over 32,000 nursing students across the United States, distributing more than $20 million in scholarships. Scholarships are available to nursing students from CNA through doctoral level, with no application deadlines for most pathways.
Voiture 410 serves Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Nursing students who reside in Kenosha County and are enrolled full-time in an accredited nursing program may be eligible for scholarship assistance through the George B. Boland Nurses Training Trust Fund.
Learn more: sewivets.org/Voiture410 | fortyandeight.org
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show 2025
You all know that the 40&8, Voiture 410’s Locomotive was born right here in Kenosha as a 1937 Nash Lafayette, but did you know that every 4 years, including this one, all her brothers,sisters, aunt, uncle’s, in laws, out laws, and a bunch of friends come to town to celebrate. Voiture 410 was graciously invited by the committee to share in the fun!. The show is free to spectators! Make sure to stop by the Locomotive to say hello and peak under the hood.
Vo1ture 410 will be there on July 26th 8-4. That’s one of the swap meet days, maybe we can get some car bling for the “choo-choo”!
Parade Locomotive Player
I think I mentioned that when Tim and I started working on the Locomotive 2 years ago that i made an electronic sound system. If you need to update the sound system on your locomotive, I put the plans, blueprints, parts lists, and code on GitHub here: https://github.com/lpcia/Parade-Player.
This winter I will be working on version 3 which will include a second set of speakers and a PA system so we can work the crowd. The marine speakers are definitely loud enough, but only in the front. The second set will be mounted on the roof pointing about 45 degrees from the front.
I originally made this system for my model railroad. To modify it for our parade locomotive I added an old auto “head unit” I had lying around, and a set of huge marine speakers.
I added a wired remote this year. I may convert that to wireless with nRF24L01 transmitters and receivers.
Here is the current playlist: Do you have a suggestion?
- 01 On the Road Again-WN.mp3
- 02 Beach Boys I Get Around.mp3
- 03 Walking on Sunshine.mp3
- 04 Armed Forces Medley.mp3
- 05 This is my Country.mp3
- 06 Grand Old Flag.mp3
- 07 Little Nash Rambler.mp3
- 08 Sousa The Thunderer.mp3
- 09 Sousa Stars & Stripes Forever .mp3
- 10 French Whistle.mp3
- 11 Multi Whistle Blast.mp3
- 12 Startup Chuff.mp3
- 13 Brakes -Grinding to a halt.mp3
- 14 Steam Loco Regulate Steam.mp3
- 15 Steam Loco Brake Compressor.mp3
- 16 Ozzy Crazy Train All Aboard.mp3
View of the Marine Speakers
Cab with PLP dashboard above.
If you have any questions, suggestions, etc, let me know through this website, or through GitHub (although I don’t go there often)
Kenosha EXPO24 Exhibit Pictures
Here are some pictures of our exhibit at the 2024 Expo! Everyone we met enjoyed it. We met and talked with lots of people who remembered the locomotive fondly. An automotive parts expert came by and pointed out some interesting about the locomotive, like part of the hardware to ring the bell is an alternator bracket for an 1960’s Chevy. We met Sandra Riese (née Singer) a nurse that Voiture helped through school in the 50’s. We met the granddaughter of “Wrecking Crew” Member Russ Gunderson. Miss Kenosha stopped by for a photo op. Lots and lots of children saw Engine V410 for the first time, and rang the bell, a lot! (my ears are still ringing even after wapping tape around the clapper). We had Sparky sit in the drivers seat. Lou Rugani stopped by and told us some old parade stories. We saw a lot of old friends and met some new ones. We even made a few dollars for the Nurses Fund. I think that is called a success! Here are some pictures to prove it!
Meet Tim Green
Tim Green is the 40et8, Voiture 410’s Locomotive Engineer. IMHO, If it weren’t for him, the locomotive would have sat in the garage for at least another 12 years collecting dust. There were even some members considering selling her off at one low point. Then came Tim.
Tim is one of those very rare guys that can seemingly fix anything. And that was a very good thing for Voiture 410, because there were doubts when we took 12 years of dust and junk off of her. For my part, it was a real treat working with him and watching him tackle one problem after another. I’ve only met a few guys like him in my life. I think of them as Leonard DaVinci’s. If I’m being honest, watching Tim work reminded me a lot of working on cars with my Dad (another Leonard DaVinci) whose wizardry helped me get a 65 Plymouth Fury that I bought for 50 bucks on the road.
As Voiture 410’s Locomotive Engineer, Tim not only got her running, he made the 86 year old vehicle safe to be on the road. There is another article below that gives an accounting of a lot (but not all) of the work he did.
Tim also had a lot of help from his son’s Tim and Chris who did the heavy lifting, and some of the wizardry they inherited from Dad. Chris’ son “CJ” was a big part of the team, always there to lend a hand. Tim’s wife Sue also made some important contributions.
While Voiture 410 is grateful for all the work he did, Tim’s most important community job is as the de facto leader of the Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard (https://sewivets.org/kavv/). If your veteran loved ones have had military funeral honers in Kenosha County, there is a good chance Tim was behind the scenes helping coordinate it.
Meet Jon Lyons
Jon is our Aumonier/ Locomotive Coordinator. Jon’s father Dave, while not an official member of the 40/8, has been instrumental in getting the Locomotive back on the road. Jon’s Grandfather’s William was a VIP in the 40et8, both locally and nationally. Note his name on the side of the Locomotive! Jon’s responsibilities include coordinating the locomotives schedule and the “Wrecking Crew” the nickname given to the Locomotives Crew. He is also walking in Williams shoes by being one of our drivers.
Locomotive Ready for 2024 Season
All polished up for the KACC Kenosha Expo next weekend. Tim Green and Paul Ciarelli removed the dust cover, kicked the tires and lit the fire. She’s ready for the 2024 season. If you would like the Locomotive at your event, please contact us!
Important Documents Found
Michael Hellquist and I were searching through an old Trunk at Post 21, and we discovered our Charter, and a document listing our charter members. Both documents are sealed in a frame, so these pictures could be better. We’ll work on that. Sadly, they are going to have to go back in the trunk until we can take care of them properly as they are moldy, and they smell terrible.
Want to Know More About the Origins of the Forty and Eight.
While doing research for the displays for the Kenosha Expo, I ran across an American Legion Weekly edition that was dedicated to the 40et8. You can download it right here!