More popularly known as the "Forty and Eight," we are an independent Veterans organization whose membership originally was drawn from the ranks of the American Legion. We were founded in 1920 as a fun and honor society of Legionnaires and draw our origin from World War I when young Americans were transported on the narrow gauge railroads of France in boxcars (Voitures) that carried little more than half the capacity of American boxcars. On each side of these boxcars was stenciled the capacity of each. Holding either forty men or eight horses, these Voitures became the trademark of the organization. If you could laugh at the train ride from the coast of France to the trenches crowded in these little boxcars only recently vacated by eight horses, you could surely adapt to the changes in life when returning home. Membership in the Forty and Eight is by invitation only to members of the American Legion and other honorably discharged Veterans who have demonstrated their service to their local community.

While supporting the programs of the American Legion, the Forty and Eight principally concentrates its activities on CHILD WELFARE, NURSES TRAINING, CARVILLE STAR - The publication on the research dealing with Hansen's Disease (Leprosy,) AMERICANISM, YOUTH SPORTS, VETERANS AFFAIRS VOLUNTARY SERVICE (VAVS,) POW/MIA, and NATIONAL BOX CAR ASSOCIATION.

VOITURE 215 (East Duval County) of the Forty and Eight is the largest Voiture in the Grande du Florida and is the home Voiture of National Membership Directeur Pat Beamer, Sous Chefs de Chemin de Fer Passé Tommy Thomas and Hugh Ferguson, Cheminot Nationale Passé Bob Richards, Grand Chef de Gare Joe Nolan, and Grand Medicin Doctor Gene St. Marie.  We are also the home Voiture of Past American Legion Department of Florida Commander Clarence Hill of Post 316.  Voiture 215 is located at American Legion Post 129, 1151 South 4th St, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250, (904) 249-2266 and also supports Post 54 in Fernandina Beach, Post 233 in Palm Valley, and Post 316 in Atlantic Beach. We meet on the second Thursday of the month with Cheminot at 7:00 PM followed by the Prominade at 7:30 PM.  For more information, contact our Correspondant, W. R. "Tommy" Thomas, at the above address or E-mail at wrt408@att.net.