Bienvenue à
Grande Du Missouri
La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux - The Society of the Forty Men and Eight Horses, an independent fraternal organization of veterans,
popularly known as the Forty & Eight, was organized in 1920 by American Legionnaires as a fun and honor society.
Now composed of veterans of both World Wars and the Korean, Vietnam and Desert Storm conflicts,
it draws its origin from World War I
when young Americans were sent to France to fight a war to end all wars. The narrow gauge railroads of France
had boxcars (Voitures) that carried little more than half the capacity of American boxcars and these voitures were
used to transport the men and horses to and from the fighting fronts.
On the side of these little boxcars was stenciled the capacity of each, holding either forty men (hommes) or eight horses
(chevaux), and these voitures became the trademark of our organization.
If one could laugh at the train ride from the coast of France to the trenches crowded in these little boxcars only recently vacated by eight horses, one could surely
adapt to the changes in his life when he returned home. Membership in the Forty & Eight is by invitation only for
recognition of service to the American Legion and/or its programs.
MAVO Legislative Update - HB1731
David Christian Grand Chef de Gare du Missouri, thanks to everyone that contacted their State Senator, and/or State Representative.
You are encouraged to do a follow-up with those that you contacted, and express thanks for their efforts on 1731. It is appreciated by the Veterans of Missouri.
Shortly after receiving Rich Heigert email, he called to inform me that 1731 has passed all committees and was on its way to the Governor’s desk for signing.
I want to thank each and every one of you who wrote a letter, made a phone call, dropped an email or just passed on the word that the Veterans Homes were in financial trouble.
After witnessing the two rallies that took place in Jefferson City and hearing the reports of the House and Senate on the number of supporting calls and correspondence, I truly believe our voices were heard.
Thanks again on supporting this effort. Dennis Woeltje
Earlier today the House passed unanimously the Senate Substitute for HCS HB1731 making the bill "Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed" after the Senate unanimously passed the same legislation yesterday. The bill now goes to Governor Nixon for signature. This bill now insures a dedicated funding source for the Missouri Veterans Commission and will insure that the seven Missouri Veterans Homes will remain operating as at present.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you for the efforts that you expended this year to get this accomplished. From your attendance at the Veterans Rallies in both September and March and the Veterans Day on Capitol Hill in January to your phone call,emails and letters to our legislators throughout this legislative session, the veteran presence at the legislature was mighty impressive and , I think, helped turn the tide in getting this passed. A special thanks to Rep. David Day, who guided this legislation through the House, and to Senator Jason Crowell, who was instrumental in brokering the necessary compromises to get this passed, and to all of our legislators who, when the final vote came to pass, voted for the veterans.
Please also pass along my thanks to all of your contacts because without them, we could not have done this.
THANK YOU
Rich Heigert, MAVO Legislative Chairman
