La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux
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La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux
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Chef de Chemin de Fer
(Ted Lang)
Born and raised near Edgar in Edgar County north of Paris, IL Started school at the age of 5 in a one-room school. After high school in 1958, he was the owner of Lang Hay Service and considered one of the last big time hay dealers of the area hauling and shipping hay and straw by truck and box cars. This came to an end after back surgery. Since 1972, Ted has owned Lang Service Co, a drain and sewer cleaning business. Ted joined the Army in 1961 and served also in the Army Reserves and the Illinois National Guard for a total of 27 years. Besides serving stateside, he also served tours of duty in Germany, Honduras and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He achieved 21 medals including the Bronze Star Medal from Desert Storm. He was a graduate of the Sergeants Major Academy in 1997 and retired in 1998 as a Sergeant Major (IL). Ted joined the American Legion Post in 1970 and was wrecked into Voiture 594 in 1972. Ted is a past post commander, member of the funeral detail and Honor guard for thirty years and volunteer driver for the VA van transporting veterans to the Danville, IL VA. Ted has served as locale Chef de Gare two years, Grand Cheminot, Grand Chef de Train (the Grande achieved 100%-first time in 23 years). Grand Chef de Gare, Cheminot Nationale, President of Great Lakes Promenade, Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer (achieved 101.13%) and Sous Directeur Membership. Also Generals Club, Associate Boxcar Members, Past Chefs Club and the German Club. Ted is also a life member of Jaycees, JCI Senator #26718, life member of Am vets Post #133 and a Gold Legacy Life member of the VFW. Honorary member of Kentucky Colonels, North Carolina Tar Heels and a Arkansas Traveler. Fifty-four year member of the Horace Baptist Church and raises many turnips twice a year to give away and is dedicated to the United States of America and the Flag of our Country.
Correspondant National (Bernie Sampson)
Bernie was born in Woodville, NY on March 29, 1947. He graduated from Belleville High School in 1966 and joined the Marine Corps. He was stationed in Viet Nam where he earned the Purple Heart, Vietnam Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Rifle Expert Medal. AMERICAN LEGION SERVICEBernie joined Don Rounds Post 586 American Legion in 1966 where he has served as Post Finance Officer for the past twenty years. Other service and recognition includes: County Commander 1992
Counselor Board of Directors
Post 586 1992 Jefferson County 1998 LA SOCIETE Bernie is a Charter Member of Jefferson County Voiture 534, joining at it’s reorganization in 1990. As a 40/8 member, Bernie has held all Locale, District and Grande offices as well as several Nationale offices. LOCALE:
DISTRICT:
GRANDE:
VOITURE NATIONALE:
Bernie is retired from the Marine Corps. He lives in his hometown of Woodville, NY with his wife, Terry. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. Bernie has been an active member of the Veteran organizations and a lifetime supporter of the sporting groups in his community. He has been active in Little League, Pop Warner, the Bowling Association, Men’s Softball andTavern Pool League. He is a Paid up for Life member of the American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, and the Marine Corps League. In his “spare time”, Bernie is an avid golfer.
Avocat National John L. Wiseman is the Forty et Eight’s national legal officer. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1930, Wiseman graduated from High School in Horseheads, NY. He served in the United States Army from 1948-1952. Wiseman worked for Westinghouse Corporation in New York, attended the State University of New York, and was thereafter employed by IBM, where Wiseman was in on the ground floor of computer development at IBM’s Test Laboratories at Endicott, New York. Wiseman later transferred to IBM’s Computer Plant in Boca Raton, Florida, as Product Safety Manger, retiring in 1987. John Wiseman is married to the former Joyce Dean of Horseheads, NY. They have three children; Dawn, Paula and John Jr.; and several grandchildren. Wiseman is a member of American Legion Post 277 of Boca Raton, Florida, where he has served as Judge Advocate (legal officer), Service Officer and several years as Legion Post Commander. In 1999, Wiseman served as the Forty et Eight’s national commander, or “Chef de Chemin de Fer”. Wiseman has also served as Conducteur National and served on several key national committees including; Finance, Time and Place, Voiture Activities, Youth Sports, Organizing and Membership. In Florida, Wiseman served as the Forty et Eight state commander (Grand Chef de Gare) and as state adjutant (Grand Correspondant). Wiseman served as the commander (Chef de Gare) and as Avocat of Voiture Locale 1490. He is currently a member of Florida’s Voiture Locale 954 where he serves as Avocat.
Sous
Chef de Chemin de Fer (Ray West)
Ray West was born in Norfolk, Virginia on January 29, 1943. He lived there until age 5 when his parents moved to Gloucester County, 25 miles away. He left home at age 19 to join the Navy where he stayed for 26 years in Naval aviation. Ray retired out of the Navy in 1988 at Brunswick, Maine Naval Air Station, after 26 years of service, with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. He, and his family, decided to settle in the neighboring town of Topsham where he had purchased a home several years earlier. Ray was actively wrecked into Voiture 354 in February 1979. He served Voiture 354 in various offices including Ritual Directeur, Conducteur, Correspondant and Chef de Gare, numerous times. He served the Grande du Maine as Sous Conducteur, Grande Correspondant, seven years, Grande Chef de Gare, Cheminot National Alternate and Cheminot National. On the National level he has served as a Nurses Training Committeeman, Sous Directeur Organizers, Sous Directeur Membership, 1999 to 2007 and Garde de La Porte. Ray is a member of the Elks, FRA, and life member of VFW and DAV. He was awarded a Life Membership by his American Legion Post 66 of Lisbon Falls, Maine and a Life Membership in the Forty and Eight by Voiture 354. Ray has been married for 43 years to the former Marion F Lovrine of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and they have three children, Terisia Wernett of Downers Grove, Illinois, Wyatt West of Chicago, Illinois, and Gabrielle Goodenow of Bath, Maine.
Sous Chef
de Chemin de Fer (Paul Douglass)
Paul was born in Central New York in a little town called Canastota. He was the fifth child of seven born to William and Ione Douglass. He grew up in Canastota, and attended Canastota High school. Paul still resides in Canastota today. In 1971 Paul joined the Marine Corps, and received an Honorable Discharge after serving two and a half years on active duty. In 1973 Paul married the love of his life, Debbie. They have two children, Nicole and Candy. They also have three Grand children, Kyle and Jakob Phillips, and a granddaughter Lacy Nicole Graham. Paul joined the Canastota American Legion Post 140 in 1991 and worked his way up to Post Commander, County Commander, and District Vice Commander. Paul was also Dept Sgt at Arms. Paul was invited to join the Forty and Eight in 1992. He has held most of the offices at the Locale level, including twice as Chef De Gare. He currently holds the office of Correspondant and has done so for the last ten years. Paul also puts out the locale newsletter and has done so for the past eleven years. At the district level Paul has held all the positions at that level including Grande Cheminot. At the Grande level Paul has held all of the offices up to including Grand Chef De Gare. He now serves as Grand Correspondant. He has served on Grand committees as Directeur of Child Welfare for two years, Americanism Directeur for one year, Membership Directeur and Sous Membership Directeur for one year, and Ways and means Directeur for one year. At the Nationale level Paul has held the positions of Cheminot, Child Welfare Committeeman for two years , Sous Directeur of Child Welfare for two years, Child Welfare Directeur for two years, and Sous Directeur Membership for one year. He currently holds the office of Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer. Paul also belongs to the Moose Club, the local Vets club, The Generals Club, and the Past Commanders Club. In his spare time Paul enjoys spending time with his family. He also enjoys fishing, and gets out deer hunting as often as possible.
Sous Chef
de Chemin de Fer
(Mike Wood)
Born 26 May 1948. I graduated in 1966 from Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, FL and attended the University of North Carolina. I entered the United States Marine Corps in 1969 and served one tour in Vietnam with the 1st Recon Battalion. Military honors that I received were the Bronze Star with V, Purple Heart, Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal, USMC Parachutist, Rifle Expert and Pistol Expert Badges. After completing my military service in 1971 with an honorable discharge, I returned to U. N. C. and gained a BBA Degree. I joined the American Legion in 1986 and have held most elected and appointed offices, including Post Commander in 1990 and was awarded Legionnaire of the Year in 1993-94. I also served on the District Membership Committee. I was wrecked into La Societe in 1990 in Richmond, VA. I have served in most of the Voiture Locale offices and Directeurships, including Chef de Gare in 1996. I was awarded Voyageur of the Year in 1999-2000 and again in 2007-2008. I am currently serving Voiture Locale 977, Southside Virginia as Correspondant, Sous Chef de Train, Directeur of Youth Sports, Corporation Board Director, and Bingo Committee member. I have served the Grand du Virginia in all elected offices including Grand Chef de Gare. I have also served the Grand as the Directeur of Carville Star, Membership and Youth Sports. I have been on the Wrecking Crew, and the Committee on Committees. I am currently serving as the Grand Advisor Carville Star and Sous Commissaire Intendant. I have served Voiture Nationale as Cheminot Nationale, Alternate Cheminot Nationale (2 terms), Sous Conducteur 2000, Sous Directeur Voiture Activities, and Directeur Carville Star (3 terms). I am a member of The Past Chef’s Club, The Generals Club, The Germany Club and The Box Car Association. I am married to the former Sandra Illa of Cannon Falls, MN. We make our home in Richmond, VA where I own a small paralegal and collections business. I am a member of the Lakeside Business Association and have received the Business Citation from that organization. I am also a member of The Vietnam Veterans of America, The Marine Corps League, The Moose and The Moose Legion, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, and The U. N. C. Alumni Association. My wife Sandy is currently serving Cabane Nationale, La Societe de Femme as Sous La Presidente Nationale. My hobbies are playing golf badly and following college football. Thanks Mike Wood
Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer (Henry E. Kwiatkowski)
Born and raised in northeast Pennsylvania, completing high school in 1959 and college in 1964. Inducted into the U.S. Army, accepted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, Field Artillery. Served as Commander of a Basic Training Company, Commander of a Transportation Company, Commander of a Special Troops Disciplinary Unit, Adjutant of a Special Troops Brigade and Adjutant of a Basic Combat Training Brigade. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Airborne paratrooper wings. Married in 1969 and was honorably discharged from the service as a Captain. Became the father of two children and grandfather of three. Left the service to pursue a career in industry and returned to Pennsylvania. Accepted employment with the Singer Corporation as Quality Assurance Manager and Industrial Engineering Manager, Employed by Rockwell International as Operations Manager. I was promoted and relocated to Louisiana and accepted employment with UGC as Director of Engineering and Manufacturing. Employed by C.B.S. as Director of Manufacturing Operations. Founded an automotive business and operated it until retiring at age 50 (a lifetime goal). Remained in Louisiana after retirement and reside there today. Wife remains employed as personal secretary to Commanding General of the 8th Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base. In retirement, I continue my efforts on behalf of veteran organizations. Retain 35-year membership in The American Legion, 20-year membership in the 40&8 and 10-year membership in Mensa International. Currently serving the 40&8 as Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer and Grand Correspondant de la Louisianne. Currently serving The American Legion as Louisiana Department Judge Advocate and Editor of the Louisiana Legionnaire. Hobbies include house boating, fishing, traveling and vintage car restoration. Look forward to one day being able to devote full time to my family and hobbies exclusively (when my young wife retires)
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