La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND du TEXAS WINNER OF THE ARTHUR MCDOWELL AWARD 1991 – 1992 – 1993 – 1994 – 1995 – 1996 - 2019 BEST GRAND VOITURE PUBLICATION IN THE NATION WITHOUT ADVERTISING AND WINNER OF THE ROBERT KASEMAN AWARD 2018
Apr - Jun 2020
Volume 63 Issue 2
FROM THE GRAND CHEF DE GARE This will be my last Grand Chef letter as I will be going out of office in July when we crown a new Grand Chef for 2021.
It has been an exciting two years as I recall that first year dragging around the Grande du Minnesota Paul Bunyon Gavel – a distinct honor – raising $1,000 for Child Welfare. Helping, assisting and installing our new Voiture Locale 689 in Amarillo was another milestone. My second year was our doing so well in membership, achieving over 105% and the possibility of even doing better. My heartfelt thanks to my Chef de Train for being so persistant in this endeavor. In 2016, at my first Promenade Nationale, I recall us sitting all the way in the back row – this year we will be up front. Sadly, during my time in office we have lost many past Grand Chef de Gares du Texas including
George Murphy and my close friend of thirty-three years Ronnie Wheeler. We must continue to keep all members of our Grand and Grand Cabane in our prayers, especially in this trying time. I’m very pleased and want to thank V-1031 for making the decision to move forward with our Grand Promenade in Killeen July 17-18. I’m taking a nice group from here in El Paso and I look forward to meeting many of you as I leave office. Not goodbye of course, but moving on to other things and continuing work for Grand du Texas and Nationale. That being said, we must get registrations in as soon as possible and placing an ad is very important. We know that Locales meet at different times, but if you have an accurate count of who is going, let John Rodgers know… rodgersjohn393@yahoo.com I am going to do an executive order allowing for a live-feed through our Facebook page, monitored by Grand Publiste Dave Knutson. David will provide the details. Remember to do your delegate list and email or mail to Dave Knutson who will be acting as my Correspondant fo this Grand Promenade. On the agenda for July will be elections of course, do not be shy if you are interested in a position or would like to take on being a Directeur. We also will be looking at making changes to our Grand Constitution to cover contingencies like not being able to meet, numbers needed for a quorum, etc. Membership cards for 2021 are soon on the way, however, lets not let up on 2020 quite yet!
Regards and God Bless Renslar “Renny” Keagle Grand Chef de Gare du Texas rennykeagle@gmail.com 915-346-6099
THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
2020 Membership Report June 4, 2020 Division / Locale st 1 Division 689 1185
Location
Current
Goal
Percent
Amarillo Ft. Worth
15 11
12 10
125% 110%
26
22
118%
20
21
95%
30
32
94%
14 15 42
14 19 25
100% 79% 168%
121
111
109%
15 6 27 9
15 6 22 12
100% 100% 123% 75%
57
55
104
49 14
49 17
100% 82%
Total
63
66
96%
Grand Total
267
254
105.12%
Total 2nd Division 163 266 312 980 1031
Houston Copperas Cove Beaumont Willis Killeen
Total 3rd Division 175 231 542 1134
Austin La Feria San Antonio Kingsville
Total 4th Division 605 1055
El Paso Kerrville
GRAND MEMBERSHIP EXCEEDS 105% Grand du Texas has moved up to #3 nationwide for membership! Great job and keep up the good work.
FROM THE GRAND CHEF DE TRAIN Well we have stayed the same as last Week still in 3rd place at 105.12 %. I proud to say we are the only Grand with over 250 Voyageurs to make it over 100% of our goal for this year. We still have Grand du France at 113.33% and Grand du Vermont at 109.38% ahead of us in the standing of all grands. We still have 39 renewals we can send in to catch up with these 2 Grands in front of US. Let’s show them why the call TEXAS THE GREAT STATE! So, as I've been saying all year long LETS GET R DONE. God Bless, John Rodgers Chef de Train Grand du TEXAS
P.S. The Grand Promenade is 5 weeks away. If you are coming please register ASAP. You have just 2 weeks till late registration happens We at 1031 want to make this a fun Grand Promenade that everyone can enjoy. John Rodgers Grand Chef de Train
THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS EXECUTIVE ORDER WHEREAS, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, has issued Executive Orders on Opening Texas via: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/Governor-Abbott-Proactive-Response_06-05-2020.pdf; and WHEREAS, The State of Texas is currently in Phase III of the Opening Texas plan from the Officer of the Governor of Texas; and WHEREAS, The Forty and Eight National Constitution has no provision for any type voting or decision-making regarding elections and Constitutional issues other than resolutions, amendments and a floor vote; and WHEREAS, Voiture Nationale has provided guidance that “Each Grand could have an Executive Order issued by the Grand Chef de Gare, stating that teleconference (e-mail) or voice mail and if necessary, USPS voting would be allowed by verified delegates.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RENSLAR KEAGLE, Grand Chef de Gare du Texas, direct that for the Grande Promenade of 2020 only, to be held July 18, 2020, in Harker Heights, Texas, hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following: 1. For the 2020 Grande Promenade only, delegates unable to attend may, via electronic communication as described below, attend for the purpose of establishing a quorum, voting for officers and voting on any other business that may come before the Grand. 2. Delegates must be certified with proper credentials sent to the Acting Grand Correspondant NLT 12:00 pm on Saturday, July 18, 2020. Emailed to: davidknutson@sbcglobal.net Credentials sent via regular mail will be sent at least 7 days prior to this date to allow time for the documents to arrive by mail. 3. Once certified - the delegate(s) will be able to participate via tele-conferencing or other electronic means 4. The Grande Promenade will be broadcast live via the Grand du Texas Face Book page where delegates may observe and respond via electronic message which will be monitored by the Acting Grand Correspondant. 5. Delegates may also communicate through another member physically present who the delegate is in direct communication with via electronic audio and/or video, email, or other form of electronic message. 6. This Order shall be in effect during the Grand du Texas 2020 Grande Promenade only. GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 11th day of June, Two Thousand and Twenty
Renslar “Renny” Keagle Grand Chef de Gare du Texas Attested By: Note: Subject to cancellation based on recommendations of the Office of the Governor of Texas! David J. Knutson Acting Grand Correspondant THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
O F F I C I A L
C A L L
99th GRANDE PROMENADE OF THE GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS
In accordance with the Constitution of the Grand Voiture du Texas, the 99 th Grand Promenade of La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, Grand du Texas, will be held in Harker Heights, TX, Saturday, July 18, 2020 PURPOSE The Grand Promenade is called for the purpose of electing Grand Officers for the ensuing year, and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the Grand Promenade. BASIS OF REPRESENTATION Each Voiture Locale shall be entitled to three (3) delegates and three (3) alternates for the first ten (10) members, and one (1) additional delegate and one (1) alternate for each additional fifteen (15) members or major fraction thereof and such membership shall be calculated as of the date which is thirty (30) prior to the convening of the Grand Promenade. Each Grand Chef de Gare Passe and the sitting Grand Chef de Gare, who are members of a local Voiture, shall be entitled to one (1) vote to be exercised only when personally present on the floor at the time the vote is taken. Voiture Locales indebted to this Grand Voiture will not be included in the roll call and will not be eligible to vote unless indebtedness is paid. CREDENTIALS Voiture Delegates' lists must be sent to the Acting Grand Correspondant, David J Knutson, 1904 Rutherford Dr, Leander, TX 78641 or via Email to: davidknutson@sbcglobal.net prior to 9:00 am, Saturday, July 18, 2020. VOTING STRENGTH OF VOITURES LOCALE Voitures Locale shall have the number of votes in the Grand Promenade equal to the number of delegates to which they are severally entitled, provided that at least one (1) of the certified delegates must be duly registered and such registered delegate or delegates may vote the entire certified delegates strength. ADMITTANCE TO THE GRAND PROMENADE Only delegates and alternates holding credentials will be entitled to a vote on the floor of the Grand Promenade duly assembled. Any member of La Societe in good standing will be admitted to the Grand Promenade Hall on presentation of their 2020 membership card to the Grand Garde La Porte. RESOLUTIONS All resolutions must be submitted in writing to the Acting Grand Correspondant on Saturday morning, July 18, 2020, no later than 9:00 a.m. GRAND PROMENADE The Grand Promenade is called to begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 2020, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3892, 201 VFW Drive, Harker Heights, Texas. The headquarters hotel will be The Super 8 by Wyndham, 540 East Central Texas Expressway, Harker Heights, Texas 76548. Phone: The election of Grand Officers for 2021 will be held immediately following the transaction of business with installation being held at the discretion of the Grand Chef de Gare. By order of Grand Chef de Gare Renslar Keagle ATTESTED: June 11, 2020 David J. Knutson
Renslar “Renny” Keagle THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas Acting Grand Correspondant
Grand Chef de Gare du Texas
LA SOCIETE DES 40 HOMMES ET 8 CHEVAUX GRAND VOITURE DU TEXAS This certifies that __________________ County, Voiture No. _____________ has elected the following delegates to the 2020 Grand Promenade to be held in Harker Heights, Texas on July 18, 2020. ARTICLE VI – Section 2 “In the Grande Promenade each Voiture Locale shall be entitled to three (3) delegates and three (3) alternates for the first ten (10) members, and one (1) additional delegate and one (1) additional alternate for each fifteen (15) members or major fraction thereof and such membership shall be calculated as of the date which is thirty (30) days prior to the convening of the Grande Promenade.” DELEGATES
ALTERNATES
1.___________________________________________
1. ___________________________________________
2.___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
3.___________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________
Name of Voyageurs deceased during the past twelve (12) months. Name
Address
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________
Attest:
___________________ Correspondant
______________________________ Chef de Gare CREDENTIALS CERTIFICATION
To be completed and returned to the Grand Correspondant not later than ten (10) days prior to the Grand Promenade Send to: David Knutson, 1904 Rutherford Dr, Leander, TX 78641 or via email to: davidknutson@sbcglobal.net THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
2020 Grande Promenade Hosted by Bell County Voiture 1031 July 17-19, 2020 IN HARKER HEIGHTS, TEXAS
HOTEL RESERVATIONS SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM 540 E Central Texas Express Way Harker Heights, TX. 76548
Phone (254) 698-6900 GROUP RATE: $69 FOR KING, $79 FOR DOUBLE QUEEN PER NIGHT PLUS TAX. SUPER CLEAN AND UPDATED! (Advise you are with the 40 & 8 for Group Rate) THE CUT OFF FOR THIS RATE IS 1 JULY 2020 Note: Free Breakfast suspended at this time due to COVIS-19
THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
2020 GRANDE PROMENADE JULY 17-19, 2020 / HARKER HEIGHTS, TEXAS REGISTRATION FORM Please fill in the following information to register for 2020 Grande Promenade Name: Title or Highest Office held: Voiture or Cabane #: Name: Title or Highest Office held: Voiture or Cabane #: Number Registration
X $25.00 = $
Advance registration is $25 per person Advance registration must be received by July 1, 2020. Late Registration fee is $30 per person
Program Book Ads Full page Ad - $30
Half page Ad - $20
Business Card - $10
In addition to a hard copy, please send ads via Email to: carmenparks@yahoo.com All program ads must be received by July 1, 2020 SEND REGISTRATION AND PROGRAM ADS TO: Donny Ray Crume 6103 Malachi Lane Killeen, TX 76542 (Make Checks Payable to Voiture 1031) THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
LA SOCIETE DES 40 HOMMES ET 8 CHEVAUX GRAND VOITURE DU TEXAS RESOLUTION FOR GRAND POSITION I ______________________ would like to be considered for the following elected or appointed position within Grand du Texas. Position applying for: ___________________________. I have been a Voyageur for ______ years. I have served my Locale in the following positions: (list top three) _________________
_________________
_________________
I have served my Grand in the following positions: (list top three) _________________
_________________
_________________
If elected or appointed to this position I promise to faithfully perform the duties that is required of me to the best of my ability. If I fail to do my duties as required I know that it will not only reflect badly upon Grand du Texas but La Societe as a whole. If elected or appointed to this position, I will accept the responsibility of said position for the duration of my term. And promise to learn all the duties as outlined in all Constitution and manuals of my Grand, and La Societe.
__________________________ Voyageur’s Signature
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that this resolution be placed before the Committee on Committees of Grand du Texas for its consideration.
Approved at Grand Promenade duly assembled at ____________________ this ____ day of ______. ATTESTED BY: ___________________________ Correspondant Grand du Texas
_________________________ Grand Chef de Gare du Texas
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
PROGRAM REPORTS CURRENT GRAND DIRECTEURS AND DEADLINES Program report forms can be found on the Voiture Nationale website: www.fortyandeight.org Link to Program Report Forms and Petite Communique: http://www.fortyandeight.org/forms-petite/
SUBMIT REPORTS TO GRAND DIRECTEUR BY PRIOR TO THE GRAND PROMENADE OR “DUE TO GRAND” DATE. Program Special Awards
Directeur Name Phone E-MAIL Due to Grand David Knutson 512-736-2377 davidknutson@sbcglobal.net 6/15/2020 Special Awards: Voyageur of the Year, Law Officer of the Year, Hero of the Year, Etc.
Americanism Carville Star Child Welfare POW/MIA Ritual Voiture Activities Nurses Training VAVS Youth Sports Public Relations
Milton R Chatham Roger Folmar David Knutson Renslar Keagle Lowell Mix David Knutson Doug Pendleton Clarence Hill Brian Smock David Knutson
409-899-3013 915-269-7775 512-736-2377 917-269-6209 210-314-1776 512-736-2377 254-336-0790 254-223-1115 254-542-2759 512-736-2377
ccsam@sbcglobal.net rfolmar@elp.rr.com davidknutson@sbcglobal.net renslarkeagle@gmail.com lmix543@yahoo.com davidknutson@sbcglobal.net douglas.pendleton@killeenisd.org chill652@yahoo.com bsmock@hot.rr.com davidknutson@sbcglobal.net
6/15/2020 6/15/2020 6/15/2020 6/15/2020 6/15/2020 6/15/2020 6/15/2020 6/15/2020 6/15/2020 6/15/2020
Although Nurses Training, VAVS and Youth Sports reports are due later – it is requested they be submitted along with your other reports to ensure they are not forgotten and get done! Public Relations Report is due later. All others should be done on or before the Grand Promenade! Directeurs are asked for a report on their program at Grand Promenade. Help them out please. These reports are very important!!! VOITURE ACTIVITIES: This is a program that is intended to be a measure of a Voiture Locale's activities and member involvement. It is a measure of the Voiture as a unit. It is intended to measure the percentage of participation on the part of individual Voitures. In the simplest of terms, the higher the percentage the better the program. Some of the activities that can be measured by the program, include the following, but not limited to these. * A Brunch, Dinner, Bar-B-Q. * Dance, Kids Party, Flag Respect Demonstration * VA Activity, Party for Patients * Veterans Day/Memorial Day Activity * Any Veterans Organization meeting the Voiture was in attendance. * All Locale Promenades/Cheminots * Grand Events Any activity the Voiture sponsors and any that a quorum of the Voiture is in attendance. Over the course of the year you should keep track of each of these activities and the number of Voyageurs that attended. The Dames that are present at these events can also be counted in Voyageur number . At the end of the year, you will be asked to complete a Voiture Activities report that will be sent to the Grande Directeur and then ultimately on to the National Directeur. The report will show you how to complete the form and you will be able to calculate your percentage of participation. While this percentage of participation will enter you in competition for a National Award, what's more important it will give your Voiture and your membership an indication of just how active you are, and at the Grande level, will give you some indication as to how you compare in your Activities with other Voitures across your Grande. THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
MIRIAM GIVENS 02-20-1942 – 04-03-2020 La Sous Presidente Nationale Passe La Presidente Grand Cabane du Texas Passe
Miriam & Lanny at the 2016 Fall Cheminot
Post by Stacey Rester Heidari My Mom, Miriam Givens, passed away on 4/3/2020. She is one of the strongest women I know to endure the last 15 months of medical/respiratory issues. She was tough to say the least. She tested positive for Covid-19 her second day in ICU. I’m thankful my Dad and I were able to be with her on her last day. I also have a sense of peace I was able to be with her as she passed peacefully. My Mother was my biggest supporter, my confidant and my best friend. She loved my Dad, her family, and friends unconditionally. I'm thankful for her being in Alexis's life the past 3 1/2 years. My mom helped take care of Alexis the first two years of her life. Amazing memories I will never forget. My Mom gave me a great example of how to be a loving Mother. I plan to make her proud. Mom – we all love you and miss you dearly. We can’t wait to have an amazing celebration for you in a few months. THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
RONNIE L. WHEELER 03-09-1947 – 05-14-2020 Ronnie L. Wheeler, age 73, died Thursday, May 14th at home after a long battle with several illnesses including cancer. Ron or Ronnie as he was known is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kathy D. Wheeler; brothers, Paul Wheeler (Wanda) Tiftonia, TN; Kenneth Wheeler, Rome, GA; sisters, Teresa Wheeler, Rossville, GA; Linda (Mike) Hollimon, Flowery Branch, GA. He is preceded in death by his mother, Inez Wheeler, Rossville, GA; father, James Wheeler Chatanooga, TN; brother, James O. Wheeler, Eatonton, GA; grandfather, Floyd Wheeler, Rome, GA; grandfather, Henry Shelton, Cedar Town, GA; grandmother, Lela Overby, Decatur, GA and several nieces and nephews. Ronnie is a decorated veteran of the United States Army serving 23 years. He served with distinction in the military veteran community. Ron was a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a 29-year member of La Societe, known as the Forty and Eight. He had the distinguished honor as the 2014 Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer (National Vice-Commander) of the Forty and Eight and was Grand Chef de Gare du Texas (State Commander) in 1999, 2010 and 2011. Ron was very proud of his association with the Forty and Eight National Boxcar Association. He will always be remembered for his love of fellow veterans. Ronnie was interred at Texas Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas on May 21, 2020.
THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS
La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas
2020 Merci Boxcar Annual Pilgrimage
La Grande Voiture du Texas La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux P.O. Box 170074 Austin, Texas 78717
Affix 1st Class Postage Here
Addressee
ADDRESSEE: Please notify sender of name/address correction Grand Chef de Gare – Renslar Keagle Grand Commissaire Intendant – Roger Folmar
Grand Correspondant – Milton Chatham Grand Publiciste – Dave Knutson
THE TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE “GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS” AND AT HTTP://ISSUU.COM/GRANDEVOITUREDUTEXAS