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
January 2014 From the Grand Chef… I would like to first extend my sincere THANKS to everyone who has supported me during the recent passing of my father. This event was complicated upon my return to Texas as I developed pneumonia and ended up being hospitalized for a few days. Plans to move the boxcar are progressing and we can expect the boxcar to be moved for some minor renovations around the first week of February and then into the museum for the Grand Opening. Remember to register for the Spring Cheminot and make your hotel reservations! We have very few ads for the Spring Cheminot program book. Each locale was also sent information to place a separate ad request for the Grand Opening Program Book. I would expect each locale would like to support this and individuals are also welcome to place an ad. See the website for more details. 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. This is the responsibility of each locale.
CONSUL GENERAL OF FRANCE AMONG VIPs FOR THE MERCI BOXCAR GRAND OPENING The grand opening for the Texas Merci Boxcar Exhibit is set for February 23, 2014 shortly after our 65th Annual Pilgrimage to the Merci Boxcar. This time the boxcar will be back at Camp Mabry and several honored guests will attend. The Keynote Speaker is Medal of Honor recipient Michael E. Thornton. You will see him highlighted on the front page of the Grande du Texas website at: www.texasboxcar.org. French Consul General Surjio Seam from Houston has also graciously accepted our invitation to attend. Other VIPS will include Past American Legion National Commander John Brieden III, Chef de Chemin de Fer Passe Jerry Brady, Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer Ron Wheeler, American Legion Department Commander Jim Fleming, VFW State Commander Sylvia Sanchez, and Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell. I hope each locale will send representatives to this event as we expect to get some good media coverage for the Grand Opening and the more Voyageurs Militaire who are there the better. Don’t forget to make your reservations NOW!
David Knutson Grand Chef de Gare
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
GRAND du TEXAS MEMBERSHIP JANUARY 17, 2014 Grand Chef de Train George Murphy 1ST Division – Grand Sous Chef de Train Ron Mick Voiture Location 2013 2014
939 1123 1185 1601
Wichita Falls Longview Ft. Worth Lake Dallas
Total
Percent
10 15 29 11
9 0 19 9
90% 0 66% 82%
65
37
57%
2nd Division –Grand Sous Chef de Train Milton Chatham Voiture Location 2013 2014 Percent
163 266 312 980 1031
Houston Copperas Cove Beaumont Willis Killeen
Total
39 32 15 26 74 186
23 27 14 14 62
59% 84% 93% 54% 84%
140
75%
BOXCAR ARTIFACTS TO BE ON DISPLAY! The below items are some of the few of the Gratitude Train artifacts that remain and are kept in safe storage. Some items are too fragile to be displayed but the Texas Military Forces Museum will be setting up a temporary display of a number of these precious items. Please take advantage of this rare opportunity to see items from the Texas Merci Boxcar. The only other public display of items was in 1999 for the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the French Gratitude Train.
3rd Division – Grand Sous Chef de Train Deborah Knutson Voiture Location 2012 2014 Percent
175 231 542 1077 1134
Austin Harlingen San Antonio Edinburg Kingsville
Total
15 21 41 15 13
14 15 24 8 3
93% 71% 59% 53% 23%
105
64
61%
4th Division – Grand Sous Chef de Train Daniel Barman Voiture Location 2013 2014 Percent
605 1055
El Paso Kerrville
Total GRAND TOTAL
20 18
21 23
105% 128%
38
44
116%
394
285
72%
FOUNTAIN PEN AND INK WELL MADE OUT OF ARTILLERY SHELL
Great Job to V605 & V1055 who are over 100% 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
BOXCAR ARTIFACTS TO BE ON DISPLAY!
(continued)
Merci Boxcar Agenda! (Subject to change) Friday, Feb 21, 2014 2pm – 6pm: Registration 2pm - ???: Hospitality room Saturday, Feb 22, 2014 9am – Noon: Registration 9am – 11am: Committee meetings in morning 1pm: Grand Cheminot/Rendezvous 6pm: Social Hour 7pm: Dinner Sunday, Feb 23, 2014: 8:30 am Memorial Service / Camp Mabry 9:00 am Private review of the Exhibit 9:30 am Reception of guests Preparation for Event 10:00 am Grand Opening program Exhibit Grand Opening Immediately follows program
Boxcar Clean-out Scheduled Items currently stored inside the Merci Boxcar will be removed and the modifications to the inside of the boxcar removed on Sunday, January 26, 2014 immediately following the 1pm locale promenade for V-175. We will have a few volunteers from Knebel Post 83 and others on hand to assist. Voyageurs from the Central Texas area are welcome to come and help.
Grand Raffle The Grand Raffle was successful and a full report will be given at the Spring Cheminot. Additional fund raising activities continue and donations can be made via the website. This will ensure sufficient funds are available for maintenance for the future and we are also looking into getting updated post cards and pamphlets for the boxcar.
Boxcar Move Date Arrangements are being made to move the Merci Boxcar from its pad via crane and then taken out to Camp Mabry where additional restoration work will be done. The move is tentatively set for the 1st week of February 2014. The actual date will be publicized once selected.
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
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 1, 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
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 FROM AROUND THE GRANDE VOITURE DU TEXAS Donation of School Supplies by Voiture Locale 266 – Copperas Cove
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
(Left) Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte presents Chef de Gare Joe McCullough with a Certificate of Appreciation. (Right) V-542 Nurses Training Directeur Silvia Sanchez and Chef McCullough with the six Nurses Training Scholarship recipients. (Below) Members and visitors of V-542 enjoy the show put on by Henry Newinn and his son “Johnny Elvis” who both put on a fantastict show!
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
AND THE WINNERS ARE!
Left: Grand Prize Winners Gary & Lydia Hardison of Kyle, Texas takes possession of their new car. Above: Salesman James Abbott and GM Mike Gonyea accept a plaque to AUTOMAX FORD KILLEEN in Appreciation for their support by Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer Ron Wheeler and Grand Chef Dave Knutson. Below: Eddie Rivera of Copperas Cove claims the AR-15 and Joe McBride of McBride’s Guns accept a plaque from Grand Chef Knutson and Voyageur Charlie Hawkins, Grand Directeur Boxcar Maintenance, in appreciation for their support to the Grande 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 CONGRATULATIONS Grande Voiture du Texas Raffle Winners Held Dec 14, 2013 in Killeen, Texas Prize
Item
Grand Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize 4th Prize 5th Prize 6th Prize 7th Prize 8th Prize 9th Prize 10th Prize
New 2013 Ford Fiesta Bushmaster AR-15 S&W .357 pistol $100 Gift Card $100 Gift Card $100 Gift Card $100 Gift Card $100 Gift Card $100 Gift Card $100 Gift Card
Winner G. Hardison E. Rivera M. Stephenson D. Bone D. Janik M. Martinez E. Counelis T. McCullough B. Bawolak B. Bovee
From Kyle, Tx Copperas Cove, Tx San Antonio, Tx Austin, Tx El Paso, Tx Austin, Tx La Feria, Tx San Antonio, Tx Euless, Tx Adrian, Michigan
Sold BY V-175 V-266 V-542 V-175 V-605 V-175 V-231 V-542 V-1185 V-1031
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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