Forty and eight history
La Societe des Quarante Hommmes et Huit Chevaux is an independent, by invitation, honor organization of U. S.
Veterans, more commonly known as the Forty and Eight.
The Forty and Eight is committed to the charitable and patriotic aims. Our purpose is to uphold and defend the United States Constitution, to promote the well being of veterans and their widows and orphans, and to actively participate in selected charitable
endeavors, which include programs that promote child welfare and nurse's training.
The titles and symbols of the Forty and Eight reflect its First World War origins. Americans were transported to the battle front on
French trains within box cars stenciled with a "40/8", denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses.
This uncomfortable mode of transportation was familiar to all who fought in the trenches ; a small misery among American soldiers who thereafter found "40/8" a light hearted symbol of the deeper service, sacrifice and unspoken horrors of war that bind all who ha borne the battle.
The Forty and Eight was founded in 1920 by American Veterans returning from France. Originally an arm of the American Legion, the Forty and Eight became an independent and separately incorporated veteran's organization in 1960. Membership is by invitation of honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the United States Armed Forces
Veterans, more commonly known as the Forty and Eight.
The Forty and Eight is committed to the charitable and patriotic aims. Our purpose is to uphold and defend the United States Constitution, to promote the well being of veterans and their widows and orphans, and to actively participate in selected charitable
endeavors, which include programs that promote child welfare and nurse's training.
The titles and symbols of the Forty and Eight reflect its First World War origins. Americans were transported to the battle front on
French trains within box cars stenciled with a "40/8", denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses.
This uncomfortable mode of transportation was familiar to all who fought in the trenches ; a small misery among American soldiers who thereafter found "40/8" a light hearted symbol of the deeper service, sacrifice and unspoken horrors of war that bind all who ha borne the battle.
The Forty and Eight was founded in 1920 by American Veterans returning from France. Originally an arm of the American Legion, the Forty and Eight became an independent and separately incorporated veteran's organization in 1960. Membership is by invitation of honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the United States Armed Forces
