WHO ARE WE?

La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux is an independent, by invitation, honor organization of male and female U. S. veterans, more commonly known as the Forty & Eight.

The Forty & Eight is committed to 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, widowers 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 & Eight reflect its First World War origins. Americans were transported to the battle front on French trains within boxcars 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 common small misery among American soldiers who thereafter found “40/8” a lighthearted symbol of the deeper service, sacrifice and unspoken horrors of war that bind all who have borne the battle.

The Forty & Eight was founded in 1920 by American veterans returning from France. Originally an arm of The American Legion, the Forty & 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.

FAREWELL TO AN AMAZING VOYAGER MILITARE

Please keep the family of Philip H. Mette, 73, of Effingham, Illinois, in your thoughts and prayers at this time. Philip passed away on April 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 26, 2025 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Green Creek with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made in Phil’s honor to American Legion Post 924 or The Haven Egyptian Past Commanders Club.

Phil was born on November 2, 1951, to Herman and Stella (Brumleve) Mette. He married Linda (Pruemer) on September 13, 1975. Together, they raised three children: Brian (Marissa) Mette, Aaron (Krista) Mette, and Ann (Steven) Chamoun. Phil was a proud grandfather to Greyson, Felix, Harold, Jeffrey, Oliver, Cyrus, Avery, Emery, and Isaiah. He shared a special bond with his niece, Sami (Sizemore) Bishop, and his beloved best fur-friend, Roxy.

A proud veteran, Phil served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972 during the Vietnam War. Signing an open contract, he was assigned to Finance. He completed basic training at MCRD San Diego, CA, and finance school at Camp Lejeune, NC. He worked in payroll at the Marine Corps Finance Center, Kansas City, MO. His military service deeply influenced his life, and Phil continued serving his community through numerous veteran organizations. His guiding principles, “God, Country, and Family,” reflected his unwavering commitment to service and faith.

Later in life, Phil battled ALS and Parkinson’s Disease, service-connected to his time at Camp Lejeune. Despite the challenges, he remained steadfast, serving veterans and his family.

Phil dedicated much of his life to the American Legion, where he served in many roles, including Post Commander of Post 924, Past Senior Vice Commander of the Department of Illinois, Past 23rd District Commander, Past 5th Division Commander, and Treasurer of the Poppy Fund Committee. He had a special passion for the Americanism Essay Contest, serving as chairman for several years. In 2016, he was honored as the Illinois American Legionnaire of the Year. Phil was also a proud member of the 40 & 8, the Marine Corps League, the Order of the Devil Dogs, and a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He earned the Distinguished Toastmaster Award for his leadership in public speaking.

Phil spent 41 years working at Effingham Builders Supply, where he was known for his strong work ethic and loyalty. In his free time, he found joy in tending to his beautiful garden in Green Creek, known for his colorful coxcombs and sunflowers. He also loved raising cattle, riding tractors, and mowing the lawn.

Those who knew Phil will remember his playful sense of humor, his many “Philisms,” and his nightly ritual of drinking coffee at 10 p.m. — often falling asleep with the cup still in his hand.

Phil is also survived by his siblings: Marlene (Louis) McWhorter, Bernice Matteson, Don (Nancy) Mette, Chuck (Patty) Mette, Tom (Marge) Mette, and Elaine (Brad) Buehnerkemper; his sister-in-law, Betty Ring, and brother-in-law, Andy West; and many nieces and nephews.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Stella Mette; his grandchildren, Jeffrey and Harold; his niece Jeaneane Jenne; his brother-in-law Dean Matteson; his sister-in-law Janet West; and his brother-in-law Steven Ring.

Phil was a faithful member of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Green Creek. Another Marine is now standing fire watch in heaven.

BE AWARE THAT NATIONALE HQ HAS MOVED!!!

NEW ADDRESS IS;

VOITURE NATIONALE
1635 HAWTHORNE DRIVE
PLAINFIELD, IN. 46168-1868

Robert “OB1” Cearlock Sous Web Master/Editeur

See the Important Announcements and Events Menu Item for the Flyer, Official Call, and Agenda for the 2024 Spring Cheminot.

All, use caution when replying to unsolicited emails, especially those that are asking for electronic gift cards. These have typically been proven to be scams. They generally start out with someone supposedly out of country, or a relative in jail or other trouble, and request pre-paid gift cards. Today, one such email arrived, purportedly from our Grand Chef de Gare. It wasn’t. If it looks suspicious, it probably is. Find another way to contact the sender to check on the validity of the email, before you take any other action, don’t even reply to the email.

REQUIRED SUBMITTALS:

Correspondants; your Officer Certifications are past due.

Grand Cheminots; Petite Cheminots must be completed 30 days prior to the Spring Cheminot. Submit your schedule to the Grand Correspondant ASAP.

Voitures; See the Forms and Reports tab for Petite Cheminot required reports.

See Wally’s World for Important notes from the Grand Correspondant

CHECK OUT THE NEW HISTORY TAB FROM THE GRAND CORRESPONDANT!

The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of other wars were Treated and Appreciated by their Nation.”

-George Washington-