Scott County Voiture #77 Nursing Scholarship

La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux is an independent, by invitation, honor organization of U.S. veterans, more commonly known as the forty and eight.

The forty and 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 and orphans, and actively participate in selected charitable endeavors, which include programs that promote child welfare and nurses training.

The titles and symbols of the forty and eight reflects it’s 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 honors of war that bind all who have born 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.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need and such personal qualities as patriotism, character, and leadership abilities as demonstrated in school and community activities.

The application, which can be found here, must be completed and returned to Voiture #77 on or before April 15th in care of:
Neal Riede
841 Cimarron Dr.
Davenport, IA 52804