Staff Writer

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

This past Monday, we had 13 people out of 21 Voyageur’s in attendance for our monthly promenade at Somers American Post 552. We were only missing Ron, Ken, and Donald who live out of town, Jon, Alex, Dennis, and Danny, who are convalescing, and only straggler. Well attended meetings are always better!

Awards were given to Voyageur Tim Green, and Dave Lyons for their work in getting the Locomotive on the road again. The award for Dave was accepted by his son Jon. The award for Tim included his family who also gave up countless hours to help prepare the locomotive.

Voiture 410 and American Legion Post 21 members cleaned out the Garage recently and we took the opportunity to bring the Locomotive out after a long hibernation. She’s still looking good albeit a bit dusty! We have plans to show her off in some upcoming events, so stop back here to check up on us. If you care to make a donation for repairs to this storied vehicle, please drop us a line.

La Societe des Quarante Hommes at Huit Chevaux is an independent, by invitation, honor organization of male and female U. S. veterans, more commonly known as the Forty & Eight.

The Forty & Eight is committed to charitable and patriotic aims.  Our purpose is to uphold and defend the United States Constitution, to promote the well being of veterans and their widows and orphans, and to actively participate in selected charitable endeavors, which include programs that promote child welfare and nurse’s training.

The titles and symbols of the Forty & Eight reflect its First World War origins.  Americans were transported to the battle front on French trains within boxcars stenciled with a “40/8”, denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses.  This uncomfortable mode of transportation was familiar to all who fought in the trenches; a common small misery among American soldiers who thereafter found “40/8” a lighthearted symbol of the deeper service, sacrifice and unspoken horrors of war that bind all who have borne the battle.

The Forty & Eight was founded in 1920 by American veterans returning from France.  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.