Bonjour Fellow Voyageurs', I would like to thank all the Voyageurs that were under my membership drive last year for being 100% at the end of July 2014. Thanks to Grande Chef de Gare Passe' Dennis Engdahl and National Membership. Also, thanks goes to Passe' Johnny Keel for making de la Louisianne 100%. Thanks for all your efforts and time spent in the interest of making our Grande Voiture de la Louisianne Number #1. I would like to thank all the Voyageurs Militaire for the support you have shown to me and the Grande. You have elected an entrusted me with the great responsibility of the advancement of the Grande de la Louisianne which I will put every effort to do 100%. I'm looking forward to seeing each Voiture Locale this year. For those of you who don't know, our Grande Chef de Gare Passe' Dr. Kenneth Lafleur has been elected to the great honor (well earned) being our National Voyageur of the Year. Congratulations from all Doc, an honor well earned. All this tells me is, we want the same thing due to our hard work and dedicated Voyageurs' Militaire to make de la Louisianne at the top or over. Keep up the Good Work. Let's keep it on the Move. Thanks again, Grande Chef de Gare Monsieur Paul L. Strange Message from Grande Chef de Gare Passe Dennis Engdahl Greetings Voyageurs, I want to take this opportunity to thank all that helped make my year as Grande Chef de Gare a successful and rewarding one. Although I did not make it to all the Voiture Locale s I was able to visit the majority of you, and in all cases was very impressed by the level of activity and the hospitality shown me. Having traveled over 6,000 miles, mostly in Louisiana (had to go through Mississippi to get to Bogalusa), I was able to see and enjoy so very much beautiful scenery and meet many Voyageurs that I probably would not have met otherwise, and made some friendships that will last a lifetime. Thank all of you, especially Voyageur Keel, for the hard work you all put into membership which put us over the top with 100% membership. Especial thanks to my Aids de Camp, Mike Bourque and Frog Morrison along with Chef de Train (now Chef de Gare) Paul Strange, Correspondant Hank and Sous Dudley for keeping me straight and giving the excellent help and guidance to make it a successful year. Once again thank you all and together let us keep working to promote La Societe. Dennis Engdahl, Grande Chef de Gare Passé The Cajun Link July, 2014 (Summer) Page 2
Grande Chef de Trains 2014 2015 Greeting Fellow Voyageurs, I would like to thank the Voitures and Voyageurs that endorsed and supported me in my bid for the high office of Grand Chef de Train. I will do my best to show that your trust in me was not misplaced. As La Societe embarks on the voyage of another year, remember that we must all work the programs and secure membership for our organization to prosper. Then as our work gets done, let s have some fun! As the year progresses, I will strive to visit as many Voiture Locales as I can. If we all work together, La Societe can have a very productive year. If I can help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. Pour dieu, Pays, et La Societe Ray Boy I want to say thank you for all the support you showed me during the last Grande Promenade in Lafayette, LA in electing me Grand Chef de Train. I m looking forward to working with you this coming term and visiting with as many Locales as possible. For any reason at all; for help of any kind or for being a team-player call on me. It was also great to see so many ole friends again at the Grande Promenade. See Ya Soon. The Cajun Link July, 2014 (Summer) Page 3
The Cajun Link July, 2014 (Summer) Page 4
Americanism and Special Awards During the Grande Voiture de la Louisianne Promenade our Locales submitted only nine (9) Americanism Consolidated Reports for judging. If your locale held one promenade, attended any veteran s organization meeting, presented one Flags for First Graders presentation, flew your American Flag, or attended one city or town parade, then you had enough to prepare the Americanism Consolidated Report. I am challenging each locale to make an effort to submit their report in 2015. Our Special Awards recipients this year were honored during the second session of the Promenade on Sunday, July 20, 2014. Voiture Locale 1351 nominated Doc Kenneth C. LaFleur for the Voyageur of the Year Award and he was selected as Grand Voyageur and Nationale Voyageur of the Year. Congratulations, Doc; well deserved. Our Hero of the Year Nominee came from Voiture Locale 137 and Shreveport Fire Department, Captain Kenneth Frazier. His heroic act involved his rescue of a disabled gentleman from a house fire that was totally engulfed in flames. Our Law Officer of the Year Nominee came from Voiture Locale 137 and Troop G, Louisiana State Police, Trooper First Class Jesse E. Almore, Jr.. He was recognized for his outstanding job performance while assigned duties in New Orleans at the Super Bowl and New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy. TFC Almore also served in the USAF for 20 years prior to his being selected as a Louisiana State Trooper. For God and Country, Milt, Grand Americanism and Special Awards Directeur Greetings, Past Chef de Gare Club We had a great meeting at the 93rd Grande Promenade, as usual we collected dues for the membership year 2015, if you were unable to attend the Promenade, you can send your renewal to me. We voted last year to collect the National dues of $10.00 only this year, forgoing the $5.00 for the Grande Club, because of the amount in our account. Every one passed a good time, the election was held and the same officers were re-elected, except the Secretary/Treasure, Voyageur Cliff Kershaw wanted to retire, Voyageur Mike Peats of Voiture 224 was elected as Commissaire Intendant of The Grande du Louisiana, which also made him the Secretary/Treasure for the Past Chef de Gare Club. Libations were made available by Voyageur Ray Boy Blanchard and it was put to good use by all. I am sure the La Femmes collected some fines for the beer cans left under the chairs; they were in the room after we adjourned. Until we meet again take care, stay healthy, and be involved in your Voiture and the Programs of La Societe'. You have the knowledge and the experience necessary to keep your Voiture active. Serving La Societe' Archie The Cajun Link July, 2014 (Summer) Page 5
Grand Aumonier Salutations all! I m very pleased to serve as your Grand Aumonier (I got fined $1.00 for writing Chaplain on the sign in sheet) for 2014-2015. As Grand Chef Strange said, yesterday you couldn t spell Aumonier, now you is one. I m very humbled and proud to have this position. In the event you know of an ill Voyageur or in the event of a death, please let me know at wstroud040@gmail.com or bstroud@bossierlawoffice.com. My office number is 318 752-3335 and my cell is 337 591-2816. I m here to help and serve. I really enjoyed the Grand Promenade and meeting all of you. It was nice to put a face with the names. This summer take some time to think about and thank God for the benefits we still have in this great Nation of ours. As you can see, there are those who want to change our nation from what we and our forefathers fought for into something fundamentally different. Pray that it doesn t happen but also do your duty and participate. Don t forget to vote. It s our duty. Speaking of duty, Voiture Locale Chef de Gare John DeMoss has started a No Man Left Behind program in our area. Seems like someone got left behind at the Grand Promenade, and using the parable of the Good Samaritan, Chef DeMoss wants to make sure it doesn t happen again. You can see more details in the August edition of the Iron Horse that Roy Kellum will post on the Cajun Link website. Pray for us up at V.L. 1588, also. Y all have to put up with Strange Paul 4 or 5 days a year. We ve got him every day! In all seriousness, enjoy the rest of the Summer. Until next time! Bill Stroud The Cajun Link July, 2014 (Summer) Page 6
The Cajun Link July, 2014 (Summer) Page 7
Grande Membership MEMBERSHIP STATUS FOR LOUISIANA TO July 24, 2014 (National Web Posting) http://www.fortyandeight.org Félicitations 100% I VE REACHED AN AGE WHERE MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT OFTEN LEAVES THE STATION WITHOUT ME. The Cajun Link July, 2014 (Summer) Page 8
Merci, Chef de Gare Shawn Bohannon The Cajun Link July 2014 (Summer) Page 9
NATIONAL BOX CAR ASSOCIATION National Directeur, H.T. Terry Sharp The 2014 Box Car Run has come to an end and it has been another great year for the National Box Car Association and once again Grand du Louisiana has had an exciting and successful year thanks to many hard working and dedicated Voyageurs of our Grand. On the National Quota/Goals Report, Louisiana stands at $2,326.00 or 79.36%. Grand du Louisiana is however at 146% of Goal or $2.96 percapita. Those are respectable numbers, but down a bit from last year. Some statistics that should be of interest to you are as follows: A) Grand du Louisiana has 21 Voiture Locales. B) Of these Voitures, 19 are recorded as participating members of the Box Car Association with 2 that do not participate. C) This year there are 14 Locales that have achieved the $2 per-capita or better established by the National Box Car Association. D) There were 16 Locales at 100% on Crew Cards this year, in other words one Crew Card sold for each member. E) An over-all per-capita breakdown is as follows: Locales under $2 per-capita were -- _4. Locales - per-capita of $2 - $3 were 5. Locales - per-capita of $3 - $4 were 4. Locales - per-capita of $4 - $6 were 3. Locales - per-capita of Over $6 were 2. The 2015 Consignments of Box Car Pins and Cards have already been made available to all eligible Grand Voitures and are gaining momentum, with a number of Locales having already paid up for 2015. MERCI The 2015 Box Car Pin will become the 2 nd edition of Box Car s newest series, the SHADOW TRAIN Beginning with the 2014 Box Car Pin, it reflects the coin face for the 2013 issue coin face (Box Car). The 2015 Box Car Pin depicts the 2014 issue Coin face (Box Car). The 2016 Box Car Pin will mirror the 2015 issue coin face (Locomotive). The 2017 Box Car Pin will reflect the 2016 coin face (Caboose). To round out the Shadow Train, the 2018 Box Car Pin will depict the very first issue, the 2012 coin face (the first Box Car). When all is completed, the Box Car Pin series, Shadow Train, will show a Locomotive pulling three Box Cars and trailing a Caboose. We urge every Voyageur of La Societe to get on board for 2015 by buying a Pin or Crew card and an Associate Card and if every Dame would buy and Associate Card the 2015 National Box Car Association would have its best year ever in 2015. Again, I extend my most sincere Thanks for all the support of Box Car by everyone who bought Pins, Cards, and made donations, because the National Box Car Association depends on you. BOX CAR HELPS EVERYONE SHADOW TRAIN --- PIN SERIES 2016 2014 2015 No issue yet 2018 2017 No issue yet No issue yet
BOX CAR THANK YOU Grand du Louisiana s 2015 Box Car Program wishes to extend our congratulations to newly elected Grand Chef de Gare Paul Strange and all the other newly elected officers of Grand du Louisiana and to wish them the most in success as we embark upon another year of great things for our La Societe. The Box Car Association also wishes to thank them for their past support of the Box Car Program and offer a reminder of the important roll the Box Car Program has in the success of all programs of La Societe. Funds received by the National Box Car Association are expended in the same year as they are raised and are distributed throughout the other programs and venues of the 40 and 8. In other words; Box Car Helps Everyone Special Thanks goes out to newly elected Grand Aumonier Bill Stroud who won the 3 rd prize of $300 in the 2014 Grand Fund Raiser and promptly donated his winnings to Box Car. Merci, Monsieur Grand Aumonier. First Degree Voiture 137 We d like to welcome P.G. Robert N. Severance to Voiture 137. Robert was obligated with the first degree at our monthly Promenade held on June 5, 2014. He is pictured here with Conducteur Don Andries and Chef de Train #2 Sherri Bohannon. Sherri assisted Wrecking Chef Don Schreiber with the initiatory work. Voyageur Milt Harrison gave the obligation. Cajun Link July 2014 (Summer) Page 11
Voiture 1038 Flags for 1 st Graders The Cajun Link July, 2014 (Summer) Page 12
The Cajun Link July 2014 (Summer) Page 13
2014-2015 Officers for Voiture Locale 1588 are: Chef de Gare Locale John DeMoss Chef de Train J. R. Johnson Chef de Train Larry Aytes Commis Voyageur James Brumley Cheminot Locale James Vise Cheminot Locale Jack Fesmire Cheminot Locale James Brumley Cheminot Locale Walt Siedlecki Gard de la Porte Keith Kingston Sous Gard de la Porte Jack Steransky Lampiste Tina Jolley Lampiste Glenn Mellen Commissaire Intendant Hank Kwiatkowski Correspondent Bill Stroud Conducteur Jesse Morrison Avocat Hank Kwiatkowski Aumonier Bob Zirkle Medicin Chuck Rodgers Publiste Bill Stroud The Cajun Link July 2014 (Summer) Page 14