La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Forty & Eight)

China Post 1 – Voiture 1496

Welcome to the official page of La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux, widely recognized as the Forty & Eight. Operating under the unique prestige of China Post 1, our local unit represents a distinguished inner circle of dedicated patriots.

Membership in China Post 1—the only American Legion post holding elite “excel status”—is an exceptional privilege reserved for exemplary veterans. Because of this high standard, it has always been an unwritten rule that new members honored with China Post 1 membership should answer the call to join the Forty & Eight.

Our History: Born from Shared Sacrifice

The Forty & Eight was originally founded in 1920 by Joseph W. Breen and 16 other prominent World War I veterans returning home from France.

The Boxcar Symbol: The society draws its identity from the cramped, narrow-gauge French railway boxcars used to transport American “Doughboys” directly to the trenches.
40 Hommes / 8 Chevaux: Each boxcar was crudely stenciled with a cargo capacity sign: “40 Hommes / 8 Chevaux”—denoting that it could tightly hold either 40 men or 8 horses.
A Bond of Brotherhood: This uncomfortable, grueling mode of transit became a familiar shared hardship. What began as a lighthearted memory of wartime misery quickly evolved into a profound symbol of the unspoken sacrifice, deep service, and unbreakable camaraderie that binds combat veterans together.

The Honor of Membership: Why Join?

The Forty & Eight functions as the independent honor society of American veterans. It is a brotherhood within a brotherhood, built to bring together the most active, dedicated leaders of the veteran community.

When you join the Forty & Eight, you are stepping into a historical lineage that balances serious charitable work with a unique spirit of patriotic camaraderie and lighthearted fun-making. It gives you a platform to multiply your impact, working alongside high-caliber Voyageurs who are deeply committed to making a difference.

What We Do: Nursing Programs & Charitable Missions

We are a charitable powerhouse. While we take pride in our military heritage, our primary mission is focused on helping others:

Nurses Training Scholarships: Founded out of a critical nurse shortage witnessed by troops during wartime, our trademark national program funds scholarships for deserving individuals pursuing degrees as Registered Nurses (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Voiture 1496 proudly carries on this noble tradition.
Child Welfare & Youth Sports: We provide critical financial assistance and grants to support the well-being of veterans’ orphans and fund youth amateur athletic programs.
Americanism: We strongly promote civic pride, patriotic education, and flag respect across schools and local communities.

Our Organizational Levels: The Tracks of the Railroad

Reflecting our French railway roots, our organizational tiers and leadership titles use traditional railroad terms:

Voiture Locale (Local Level): The core unit operating at the post or local level. This is where your journey begins with China Post 1, Voiture 1496. Leadership roles include the Chef de Gare (Commander) and Chef de Train.
Grande Voiture (State/Regional Level): The overarching body governing regional sectors. Given China Post 1’s unique global footprint, we maintain close alignment with specialized regional bodies, such as the Department of France.
Voiture Nationale (National Level): Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, this acts as the supreme governing authority for the entire organization.

Membership: How to Get Invited

Membership in the Forty & Eight is strictly by invitation only. It cannot be bought or simply applied for online.

To be considered for an invitation to Voiture 1496, an individual must be an honorably discharged veteran or active-duty service member who is already a member in good standing of China Post 1. Potential candidates—referred to during initiation as Prisonniers de Guerre (Prisoners of War)—must be nominated by a current Voyageur Militaire and successfully voted into the unit. We actively look for Post members who demonstrate exemplary service, a passion for veterans’ advocacy, and a desire to support our nursing scholarship initiatives.

Dues and Payment Timelines

Because the Forty & Eight operates as an elite, independent honor society, dues are processed locally through our unit.

Annual Dues Deadline: Dues are due by October 1st for the upcoming calendar membership year.
Timely Renewal: Dues should be paid in the fall preceding the new membership year to prevent delinquency and ensure your membership remains active and in good standing.

Contact Information

If you are a member of China Post 1, possess a strong drive to support our community, and want to learn more about earning an invitation to the Forty & Eight, please get in touch:

Official Digital Portal: Visit the centralized China Post 1 Official Website to review internal programming and submit digital inquiries.
Primary Point of Contact: Reach out directly to Chef de Gare Larry Adkins from our past conversations at (713) 828-7573 for specific guidance on upcoming Promenades (meetings), nomination standards, and organizational details.