La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND du TEXAS Winner of the Arthur McDowell Award 1991 – 1992 – 1993 – 1994 – 1995 – 1996 for the Best Grand Voiture Publication in the Nation without Advertising
September 2016
From the Grand Chef de Gare…. It has been very busy with Promenade Nationale and several work related trips since I accepted a new position at work. I did not expect to be gone so much and it has made it difficult for me to do some of my duties as Grand Chef de Gare. I am thankful for the assistance I have received from our Cheminot Nationale David Knutson with Grand matters and Locale Correspondant Lowell Mix with Voiture 542 matters. Our world shook when we lost John Powell. He was a solid pillar of our locale and is dearly missed. We, like everyone, are working to bring in new members. Grand du Texas did not do a very good job of that this past year and we fell from 11th overall in 2015 to 42nd in 2016. We need everyone’s help to do better and several changes that have been made will help us, but we also need your help at the Locale level. Renny Keagle, El Paso V-605, was Nationale Voyageur of the Year. Their locale has been doing a great job and Renny will help put out the word of their successes in both the Voiture 605 newsletter “The Train” and as Nationale Sous Directeur of Public Affairs. He has also taken on Grand Directeur of POW/MIA and will have more on that program soon. We have always done well with Nurses Training and Grand Directeur Paul Chevalier is available to assist if you have questions on the Nurses Training Program.
Brian Smock, V-266 in Copperas Cove, has taken the challenge of Grand Directeur Youth Sports and has information to share on that worthy program. Working your programs will help bring in new members – if you ask them. However, your invitations into La Societe should be treated as a golden opportunity. Talk to the person, give them some literature, answer questions, but if they are not interested – drop it. You should not have to persuade someone to join. Of course we need new members, but we want members who will help make your locale successful. They don’t have to attend every event, but should attend locale promenades and help out with events when they can. Those who are interested will make the time to help. Make your events count and keep track of your activities. At the Fall Cheminot coming up in a few weeks we will be recognizing several locales who have worked hard on their programs. You don’t have to work all of them, but should be working at least some of them and report your activities! Items from the Merci Boxcar will be on display during the Spring Cheminot and we have invited 2017 Chef de Chemin de Fer Mark Moots to come. I spoke to him at Promenade Nationale and he hopes to be able to attend. With your help - we will do better this year!
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
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
GRAND CHEF DE TRAIN MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Membership Update September 29, 2016
Greetings Fellow Voyagers Division / Locale
Sous Chef de Train
1st Division 939 1185 1601 Total
Ron Mick Wichita Falls Ft Worth Lake Dallas
2nd Division 163 266 312 980 1031 Total
A.B. Marks Houston Copperas Cove Beaumont Willis Killeen
3rd Division 175 231 542 1134 Total
Jim Ryan Austin La Feria San Antonio Kingsville
4th Division 605 1055
Dean Taylor El Paso Kerrville
Current
Goal
Percentage
1 12 0 13
7 25 6 38
14% 48% 0% %
18 22 6 6 13 65
38 28 16 20 71 169
47% 79% 38% 30% 18% %
0 3 10 9 22
17 16 36 12 81
0% 19% 28% 75% %
19 8
33 22
58% 36%
Total
27
55
%
Grand Total
127
347
36.60%
Showing in 27th Place by Voiture Nationale
Our membership totals are posted and only a few locales are growing. Many are barely maintaining or losing members. Why? The answer is very obvious. "WHERE ARE OUR NEW MEMBERS"? These words have been sent throughout Texas since I've BEEN A MEMBER OF THIS great organization. We cannot or have not offered enough to the younger veterans/active duty persons, to draw their attention to us. Please if any of my Sous Chef's de Train or anyone else has any suggestions please email, call or poke me on Face Book. I (we) need help from all. Right along with this I've heard some of our locals are having a hard time getting along with other veterans organizations. Even to get them to help support us seems to be a problem. We need to reverse this and get some more involvement with each local. Look at what those who keep going over goal are doing. They are involved! With their members, their post home, their community! V-605 / El Paso and V-1134 / Kingsville – keep up the great work! If I can be of assistance – please ask! See you all, God willing, at the Fall Chemiot. George Murphy Grand Chef de Train
Fall Cheminot Deadline Near The deadline for Registration and Hotel Reservations for the Fall Cheminot is almost here. DEADLINE DATE IS OCTOBER 10TH. Don’t put it off any longer. Reservation and registration information follow in this edition of the TVN. 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
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
Grand du Texas Exceeds $50,000 in Nurses Training donations! Paul Chevalier, Grand Directeur Nurses Training, reports that Scholarship Grants given over the past five years is over $50,000 for Grand du Texas per reports submitted. The true total is more as less than 50% of the locales submitted a report and not all of them are zero reports. Make sure you report your activities! ******************************************** Do you see any nurses when you go to the doctor? Do they treat you well? Recognize your locale nurse with a Nurses Training pin. A limited number of 2016 pins are still available at $2.50 per pin. Contact Dave Knutson for 2016 Nurses Training pins. A limited number of 2016 Child Welfare pins are also still available. A great reward for teachers or child care workers! David Knutson davidknutson@sbcglobal.net
Boxcar Gifts Exhibit Opens February 2017 A selection of gifts from the Texas Merci Boxcar will be put on display at the Capitol Visitor Center in Austin, Texas with a Grand Opening of the Exhibit set for February 18, 2017. The Capitol Visitor Center, located just east of the Texas State Capitol building, agreed to display the items and the exhibit will become part of the World War One Centennial Education Program. These gifts are rarely on display and some have not been on display since their arrival in 1949. Plans are in the works to have the Grand Opening ceremony on the South steps of the Texas State Capitol to include special guest speakers and special hotel rates to make the trip more affordable. More details to come as they become available.
Locale Officer Listings Please provide the Grand Correspondant with a copy of your new officer list as soon as possible after you hold your Locale elections. Send the list to Grand Correspondant Milton Chatham: ccsam@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
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
YOUTH SPORTS Brian Smock 803 N 3rd St Copperas Cove, TX 76522
To all Chefs de Gare “Grande du Texas”, our Grande Chef has appointed me as Directeur Youth Sports, Grand du Texas. It is my pleasure to serve as your Directeur and I am looking forward to assisting each Voiture as needed in order for us to have a viable and successful program within the Grande. I am asking and counting on your support as well as participation in this program. We are already behind as I know many community programs are already underway. I have already written our Nationale Directeur requesting guidance and questions concerning our pins. Once I get my questions answered I will be charging full-steam down the track. In the interim I would ask that you consider if you haven’t already appoint a Local Youth Sports Representative and have them contact me. Thank you for your assistance and feel free to contact me at any time. Brian Smock-Voiture 266- Copperas Cove, TX
FUND RAISING AT WORK! Voiture 266, had a Fish Fry Fund Raiser on Sat 13 Aug 16, sponsored by the Silver Wings Saloon in Killeen, TX. The Voiture raised $1800 for Voiture Activities and Nurses Training.
Photo above from left: Front row (Voyagers) Lisa Hunter, John Dzara, Willie Fields, Sandy Smock, Pops Hill Eddie Bell, Back Row Owner Silver Wings Barbie Phillips, Bar Manager Amy Sackett, Voyager-Ed Bryant, Carl Johnson, Brian Smock and Mascot Rose Johnson took the pictures. Owner of Silver Wings Barbie Phillips and Bar Manager Amy Sackett display plaques from Voiture 266.
Contact Info: bsmock@hot.rr.com HM: (254) 542-2759, C: (254) 220-6088
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
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
CORYELL COUNTY VOITURE 266 COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Voiture 266, presented over $1500 in school supplies to two Copperas Cove Elementary Schools on 24 August 2016. Picture on the left Halstead Elementary Students in the Front, Back Row Left-Right Sandy Smock, Brian Smock, Pops Hill, Don Taylor our Mascot Rose Johnson took the picture. Picture on the right Students from Fairview Elementary, Left-Right Don Taylor, Brian Smock, Sandy Smock, Pops Hill with Rose Johnson, taking photo.
Voyager 266 Nurse Program Photo above: Mrs. Downard, Mr. Downard, Lisa Hunter, Kelsie Sterns, Eddie Bell, back row Ralph Gardner Willie Fields, Rodney Nitzband, and Ed Bryant. Photo Upper Right-Philiecia Dailey, Lisa Hunter Pops Hill, John Dzara, Eddie Bell, Back row Willie Fields, WC Sims, Brian Smock, Jane Mills and Ed Bryant. Photo right: Voyager Hill with Elsie Tuley 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
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
2016 Fall Cheminot Hosted By Voiture 1601, Lake Dallas, Texas
October 21-22-23, 2016
HOTEL FOR THE FALL CHEMINOT Best Western Inn & Suites 305 Swisher Road Lake Dallas, Texas 75065 For reservations call the hotel direct line: 940-497-1007
Ask for the 40/8 group rate! We have blocked of rooms with a special rate of $79.95 + taxes. Reservation cut-off date is October 10, 2016 Hotel is non-smoking. The pet deposit is $25.00 and non-refundable. Grand Cheminot and banquet will be at the American Legion Post La Femme’s will meet at the hotel Hospitality room will be at the hotel We hope all of you will be able to join us for a real fun time. 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
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
2016 Fall Cheminot Hosted By Voiture 1601, Lake Dallas, Texas
October 21-22-23, 2016 Please fill in the following information to register for the Fall Cheminot. Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Title or Highest Office held: ___________________________________________ Voiture or Cabane # _____________________ Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Title or Highest Office Held: ___________________________________________ Voiture or Cabane # ______________________ Number registering ___________________ X $25.00 = _____________
Advance registration is $25.00 per person Advance registration must be received by October 10, 2016 Late Registration is $30.00
Full page Ad - $30 Inside Cover - $35
Program Book Ads (First In Basis) Half page Ad - $20 Back Cover - $40
Quarter page Ad - $15 Business card - $10
All program ads must be received by October 10, 2016 SEND REGISTRATION AND PROGRAM ADS TO: Lanny Givens PO Box 314 Lake Dallas, TX 75065 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO V-1601
Program Ads can be emailed to Patty Bromley at:
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grand Voiture du Texas
GUN RAFFLE Bell County Voiture 1031 has teamed with American Legion Post 573 and is selling raffle tickets for a Beretta firearm. A limited number of tickets are available for $20 each. Contact George Murphy at gmurphy4@hot.rr.com fortyandeight1031@yahoo.com for more details.
The “40 & 8" Boxcar Story
or
Donny
Ray
Crume
at
Central States Promenade 2017
Texas State Capitol South Steps Saturday, February 18, 2017
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS BEST WESTERN Plus Austin Airport Inn & Suites 1805 Airport Commerce Drive Austin, Texas, 78741-4538 Phone: (512) 386-5455 GROUP RATE: $99 per night + tax
www.texasboxcar.org For More Information
Austin, Texas April 27 - 30, 2017 Crowne Plaza Austin 6121 N. I-35, Austin, Texas www.texasboxcar.org For More Information
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 – Joe McCullough
Correspondant – Milton Chatham L’Editeur – Dave Knutson
Commissire Intendant – James Baca
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
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