La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND du TEXAS, THE FORTY et EIGHT Winner of the Arthur McDowell Award 1991 – 1992 – 1993 – 1994 – 1995 – 1996 for the Best Grand Voiture Publication in the Nation without Advertising
May 2014 From the Grand Chef… The Texas Merci Boxcar has a grand new home at Camp Mabry and we had a great program for the grand opening event. I cannot say Thank You enough those who helped make this happen and who supported our trek to achieve our goal. Our guest speakers and keynote speaker were all superb. We topped the event off with a $3,000 donation to the Texas Military Forces Museum and there have been many compliments to the Grande du Texas about the event. With the brochure available to visitors explaining about the Merci Boxcar and the Forty & Eight and the 30,000+ annual visitors to the museum – many more will have heard about this great organization. Our chance to grow is now. Remember to register for the Grand Promenade which is being hosted by Bell County Voiture Locale 1031 / Killeen June 13-14-15, 2014. Registration and hotel information is inside this edition of the TVN. Don’t forget to send in your ad to support the hosting locale.
David Knutson Grand Chef de Gare
Register and make your reservations NOW!
WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS? The next most critical issue we face for the Grande du Texas is not necessarily membership as many would think, but programs. Proper attention to our programs will help solve the membership issues if they are worked correctly. Much of that is our own fault as many know little about our programs. I know there is much I can learn about our programs and the better we know each of them then the more successful the program. We hope to accomplish this through educating our members and we are planning to provide some simple guidelines to each locale and any other Voyageur who wants to know! Some locales have been successful with their programs and we will look to learn from them why they are successful. Although we had a good turnout for the Merci Boxcar Grand Opening, there should have been a lot more Voyageurs Militaire in attendance than there was on February 23rd. I know of many who wanted to attend, but due to medical restrictions or other pressing issues they could not. If you could have attended and did not – you missed a very special event. This may sound off track from the programs issue, but without the commitment of our Voyageurs Militaire within the Grand we will fail. I thank those who have kept their commitment as a Voyageur Militaire. I hope many more will re-commit to our future. With the Merci Boxcar having given us some deeply needed publicity our organization has an opportunity to grow. I envy the commitment of the US Marines (once a marine always a marine). They are veterans who have the commitment many of us did when we were first invited into La Societe.
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
PASS IT ON! Please ensure all members who do not have or regularly use email are given a copy of the TVN. I have spoken to several who do not regularly use the computer and the word has not been getting out to them. Since we do not mail out as we use to it is the responsibility of each locale until the delivery of the TVN changes somehow.
MIND YOUR MANNERS! Just as one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch – bad behavior by a few can spoil the fun for everyone. I would like to remind everyone to “mind your manners” please. Not specific to any one person as it applies to several. There has been too much inappropriate behavior over the last several Grand events and I will encourage our Dames to help put a stop to the inappropriate behavior, language, and conversations. The behavior ranges from blatant disrespect shown to other members to acting like a “ninny” because of too much alcohol. I understand some slips in language from time to time, but we have lost members and potential members due to this type of behavior. We will have new members attending the Grand Promenade and they need to see the good side of our organization. If you are unhappy with something or someone you need to be professional. If you want something to change – get involved and help make it change. As a vast majority of our members are good people who want to do good things – if you have a good idea then it should get plenty of support.
VOTING & CREDENTIALS Section 6. VOTING STRENGTH OF VOITURES LOCALE.
Voitures Locale shall have the number of votes in the Grande 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 delegate strength. Section 7. CREDENTIALS. Forms of credentials for delegates will be supplied by the Grande Voiture to the Voiture Locale and will be filed and exhibited as required by the rules of the Grande Promenade. The Grand Correspondant will be sending out a form to complete to list your delegates.
American Legion Calls for Resignations Week of May 12, 2014
At a May 5 press conference, American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger called for the resignation of Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, as well as Robert Petzel and Allison Hickey, VA's undersecretaries for health and benefits, respectively. It was a decision the Legion arrived at gradually, after years of support. What changed the Legion's mind was the accumulated effect of VA performance breakdowns across the country, coupled by the glaringly obvious failure to hold senior executives accountable for mounting numbers of preventable patient deaths, longdelayed medical care, and other critical management failures. For more information, read the article on the American Legion website.
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
RESOLUTION FOR GRAND POSITION The Resolution for Grand Position form is on page #6 and is used to notify the Grand Correspondant of your intent to run for a position in Grand du Texas. Election procedures from our Grand Constitution are listed below. If you wish to notify Grand of your intention to run for a Grand position with the support of your locale, submit the form prior to June 14, 2014. ARTICLE VII – GRANDE VOITURE OFFICERS Section 1. GRANDE VOITURE OFFICERS ELECTED. The following officers and such others as the Grande Promenade may determine will be elected at the Grande Promenade by a majority vote of the total authorized representation thereat: One Grand Chef de Gare One Grand Chefs de Train One Grand Commissaire Intendant One Grand Conducteur One Grand Commis Voyageur Two Grand Gardes de la Porte One Grand Historien One Grand Avocat One Grand Aumonier One Grand Lampiste Two Grand Drapeaux One Provost Marshall
Section 2. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF GRANDE OFFICERS. The nomination and election of Grande officers shall take place as the last order of business of the Grande Promenade. All nominations will be made from the floor, and NO Voyageur will be nominated or elected, unless he is present at the Grande Promenade. A majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to elect; in case no candidate secures a majority of the votes cast for all, based upon the first ballot, then the two candidates who have received the highest number of votes shall again be balloted upon. The newly elected officers will be installed and assume their duties prior to adjournment. Section 3. TERM OF OFFICE. Each of the Grande Voiture officers shall hold office for the term of 1 year or until his successor has been chosen and qualified. No officer, except as is specifically permitted by this Constitution, shall receive any compensation for his services. Constitution of La Grande du Texas Page 9 of 22 Section 4. ELIGIBLE FOR RE-ELECTION. All Grande Officers, except the Grand Correspondant, Grand Commissaire Intendant, Grand Avocat and Grand Historien, shall be ineligible for election to office to succeed themselves; however, the Grand Chef de Gare shall only be allowed to succeed himself for one (1) year, such that his total tenure of office shall not exceed two (2) years.
Election of these officers will be in reverse order as listed in this section. Each division shall hold a preliminary election at the Grande Promenade, before the Grande Promenade initially convenes, for the purpose of narrowing down candidates for the office of Grand Chef de Train to one final candidate for each division. Only the winning candidate from each division can be nominated from the floor of the Grande Promenade for the respective division Grand Chef de Train office.
GRAND CONSTITUTION The Grand Constitution is posted on the Grande Voiture du Texas website under the Correspondant’s Corner. Go to www.texasboxcar.org for more information.
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
Urgent IRS Notice Posted on February 25th, 2014
Just this week, the American Legion National Headquarters was learned that the IRS has a new form required for EVERY enterprise with an EIN. That means all corporations, incorporated and non-incorporated posts and tax exempt organizations. Whenever there is a change of address or change in the person in charge, the new person in charge must now file the IRS Form 8822-B. This is a basic form that looks like a “Change of Address” form. What they really want to know is the NAME of the “RESPONSIBLE PARTY.” This could be the post commander or adjutant or treasurer, or whoever has a level of control over the funds. This form must be filed by MARCH 1, 2014, if you have not told the IRS the identity of the Responsible Party and then again within 60days of whenever your Responsible Party changes. Click on the following link to access IRS Form 8822-B http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8822b.pdf
Keep Track of Your Activities Keep a monthly Activities Report to help you keep track of your contributions to our community, state, and nation. Many of us wear several hats and participation in an many events is also related to your activity as a 40 & 8 member. Keep track of a few simple things to help you report your activities: Date, Description of the Event, Number of Voyageurs present, Miles travelled, Hours spent, Money spent.
Americanism Program Our Americanism Program activities are very frequently under reported as many of the events we participate in are directly related to Americanism. Here are several examples of activities that you should report Americanism Awards: awards given to schools, college, ROTC, community organizations, citizens (private), fire prevention, law enforcement, others. Americanism Speeches and Flag Activities: flag presentations, flag raising ceremonies, and/or flag retirement ceremonies. Youth Activities: band support, baseball, Boys & Girls State, oratorical contests, scouting (Boy & Girls Club), Valley Forge Freedom Foundation, child ID programs, driver training, FFH, 4H, PTA, etc. Community Activities: blood donor, community services, “Get out and Vote”, national security, political action, senior citizens, hunter safety programs, poppy sales, Special Olympics, meetings/promenades/wrecks, activities in other fraternal organizations. Holidays and Memorials: Calvin Kain memorial service, grave decoration, Memorial Day, Memorial Services: funerals, memorial dedications, parade participation, patriotic events, installations, Veteran’s Day. Veterans: veterans home activities, transportation to hospitals/doctors, veteran’s employment. Flags for First Graders Program.
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
REPORTS Links to complete our reports will be available on the website. Report due date will generally be 30 days prior to the Grand Directeur due date, but may be adjusted to accommodate the Grand Promenade dates or as needed by the Grand Directeur of that program. PROGRAM DIRECTEURS AND REPORT DEADLINES ARE SHOWN BELOW Directeur Americanism
Directeur Carville Star
Directeur Child Welfare
Directeur Nurses Training
Milton R. Chatham V-312
Gerald E. Brady V-1055
Cheryl L. Williams V-312
Paul R. Chevalier V-542
5035 Tupelo Lane
1859 Avispero Lane
12624 Summerwood Drive
200 Cooper Lake Drive
Beaumont, TX 77708 H-409-899-3013 C-409-658-3644
Kerrville, TX 78028 H-830-792-0775 C-817-9994-3223
Burleson, TX 78028 H-817-297-8809 C-817-832-8850
Georgetown, TX 78633 H-512-868-5173 C-210-219-1976
ccsam@sbcglobal.net
klg@maverickbbs.com
ceedubu64@gmail.com
paulchevy@gmail.com
DEADLINE: JUNE 14, 2014
DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2014
DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2014
DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2014
Directeur POW/MIA
Directeur Public Relations
Directeur Ritual
Directeur VAVS
Donna Hall V-312
David Knutson V-175
Gilbert Bell V-312
Darrell L. Gibbs V-1031
4846 Nobles Gehab Road
1904 Rutherford Drive
270 Giles Street
806 Sutton Drive
Beaumont, TX 77707 409-866-6518
Leander, TX 78641 H-512-986-6867 C-512-736-2377
Beaumont, TX 77705 H-409-833-0246 C-409-225-0469
Killeen, TX 76541 H-254-634-4071 C-254-458-1642
mileshall3@yahoo.com
davidknutson@sbcglobal.net
bellwayne44@yahoo.com
dgibbssr@hotmail.com
DEADLINE: JULY 1, 2014
DEADLINE: JULYT 31, 2014
DEADLINE: JUNE 14, 2014
DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2014
Directeur Voiture Activities
Directeur Youth Sports
Directeur Trophies & Awards
GRAND CORRESPONDANT CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS
Lowell Mix V-542
George Murphy V-1031
Darrell Gibbs V-1031
Milton R. Chatham V-312
3415 Treefrog Trail
1105 Nola Ruth Blvd.
806 Sutton Drive
5035 Tupelo Lane
San Antonio, TX 78253-6385 H-210-314-1776 C-210-249-6892
Harker Heights, TX 76548 254-698-6932
Killeen, TX 76541 254-634-4071, C-254-4581642
Beaumont, TX 77708 H-409-899-3013 C-409-658-3644
xyzik1777@juno.com
gmurphy4@hot.rr.com
dgibbssr@hotmail.com
ccsam@sbcglobal.net
DEADLINE: JUNE 14, 2014
DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2014
DEADLINE: JUNE 14, 2014
DEADLINE: JUNE 14, 2014
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas RUNNING FOR OFFICE AT GRANDE? SUBMIT THIS FORM TO THE GRAND CORRESPONDANT BEFORE JUNE 14, 2014
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS Schedule of Meetings and Events All Events are non-smoking! This includes the Hospitality Room. Smoking areas are available outside.
Friday, June 13, 2014 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Registration
Chateau
2:00 PM – ???
Hospitality Room
Chateau
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Steak Dinner
Chateau
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Hospitality Room
Chateau
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration
Chateau
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Grand Committee Meetings
Chateau Office
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Committee on Committee (DIRECTLY AFTER GRAND COMMITTEE MEETINGS)
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch
Chateau
1:00 PM
La Femmes Rendezvous
Motel
1:00 PM
Grand Promenade
Chateau
Note:
Immediately after Grand business elections will be held
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Joint Installation of new elected officers
Chateau
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Social time
Chateau
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Dinner
Chateau
8:30 PM
Hospitality Room reopens
Saturday, June 14, 2014
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Meeting
Room
Sunday, June 15, 2014 7:00 AM
Coffee and Doughnuts
Chateau
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
The boxcar shelter is moved away first and then returned after the boxcar is lifted to a lowboy trailer for the move to its new home
A Historic move to a new home was only possible with the support of those who helped raise money with the Grand Raffle and the generosity of a number of donors to help us meet our goal! Our 2015 Pilgrimage to the Texas Merci Boxcar will be held at the Hall of Heroes at Camp Mabry – only a few steps from the Merci Boxcar Display in the Texas Military Forces Museum, Camp Mabry, Texas. Thank you Camp Mabry for your support and to all of those who made this special event possible!. David J. Knutson, Grand Chef de Gare du Texas
Left – Keynote Speaker Medal of Honor Recipient Mike Thornton. Right – French Consul General Sujiro Seam from Houston with his wife and two children. The speakers for this event were all very gracious and helped make the event very memorable.
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
Division / Voiture
Sous Chef de Train / Location
2013 YTD Total
2014 YTD Total
2013 Year End Total
% of Goal
Short
Division 1
Ronald Mick
Voiture 939
Wichita Falls
10
9
10
90.00%
1
Voiture 1123
Longview
15
12
15
80.00%
3
Voiture 1185
Fort Worth
29
24
29
82.76%
5
Voiture 1601
Lake Dallas
11
9
11
81.82%
2
65
54
65
83.08%
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Totals Division 2
Milton Chatham
Voiture 163
Houston
39
24
39
61.54%
15
Voiture 266
Copperas Cove
32
28
32
87.50%
4
Voiture 312
Beaumont
14
16
15
106.67%
Over Goal
Voiture 980
Willis
26
21
26
80.77%
5
Voiture 1031
Killeen
68
73
74
98.65%
1
179
162
186
87.10%
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Totals Division 3
Deborah Knutson
Voiture 175
Austin
15
17
15
113.33%
Over Goal
Voiture 231
Harlingen
21
15
21
71.43%
6
Voiture 542
San Antonio
40
34
41
82.93%
7
Voiture 1077
Edinburg
15
13
15
86.67%
2
Voiture 1134
Kingsville
13
15
13
115.38%
Over Goal
104
94
105
89.52%
11
125.00%
Over Goal
Totals Division 4
Daniel Barman
Voiture 605
El Paso
20
25
20
Voiture 689
Amarillo
0
0
0
Voiture 1055
Kerrville
18
24
18
Voiture 1096
Odessa
0
0
0
Totals
38
49
38
128.95%
Over Goal
Grand Total
386
359
394
91.12%
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As of 15 May 2014
0 133.33%
Over Goal 0
SHORT OF GOAL
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas Tax Exempt Issues Voiture Nationale has been informed that a special toll-free phone number has been established for a special IRS Office in Cincinnati. This particular IRS office houses a group of agents that have been especially training in Tax Exempt issues. It is suggested that any Voiture Locale that may currently be experiencing Tax Exempt related issues or problem, should contact his office and seek their assistance in solving the problem. It should be noted that the IRS office(s) that you have contacted or dealt with in the past may NOT have individuals who have received the special Tax Exempt training, and may not be able to address the related issues to the extent, and with the same authority as the group in Cincinnati. The toll-free phone number to contact the Cincinnati IRS office is (877) 829-5500.
Grand Promenade Program Ad date extended to June 1, 2014 Please help support the 2014 Grand Promenade at Bell County Voiture Locale 1031. Make sure you have sent in your program ad – (see page 9). The date has been extended to June 1, 2014. Sent to: Ronnie Wheeler, 6209 Lolly Loop, Killeen, TX 76542
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 Chef de Gare – David Knutson
Correspondant – Milton Chatham
Commissire Intendant – Tom Larsen
L’Editeur – Dave Knutson
VISIT THE GRANDE DU TEXAS WEBSITE AT WWW.TEXASBOXCAR.ORG
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