Chef's Corner
From the Desk of 2024-2025 Grande Chef de Gare Vance Chartier:
Summer 2024
Greetings Veterans, Families, and Community Leaders,
I am humbled to have been elected as the Grande du Kansas Chef de Gare for the 2024 – 2025 year. I will do my utmost to continue the work that my predecessors have worked so hard to accomplish over the years. To borrow from Nick Weyers, the outgoing Grand du Kansas Chef de Gare, “Our Kansas state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera” is quite fitting for the current time. “To the stars through difficulties” This motto was adopted in the first legislative session of the State of Kansas in 1861 and still applies today”.
Today, many veterans and civilian organizations are floundering due to younger people not joining. These same difficulties are facing The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses Nationwide, our numbers are decreasing and many Voitures are turning in their charters. In 2023 – 2024 Grande du Kansas reversed that trend by increasing our organizational membership goals by over 100%.
While we had great growth this past year, we can’t cease our efforts to recruit new Voyageurs. Therefore, my number one priority this year is recruiting new members into our organization. With that in mind I am challenging every Kansas voyageur Militaire to recruit at least one new member.
As we work towards that goal, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help your efforts. First and foremost is to talk to our brothers and sisters in arms and get to know them. In my own Voiture last year I had a young veteran who was delivering pizza to me. He was wearing a hat indicating he was a veteran. As is my habit, I thanked him for his service and started talking with him. During that conversation I learned that he had a love of history. I informed him of the 40 & 8’s mission as the custodial organization to preserve The Kansas Merci Boxcar and the historical artifacts inside and he ended up joining our Voiture because of that. The key to him joining was that I learned in our conversation what interests he had, and I shared with him what we do that fit his interests.
For other veterans it might be youth sports, or child welfare or any of the other many endeavors we strive to make a difference in. The key is that as you talk with them, take the initiative to get to know the veteran, their interests, what they enjoy, and then talk to them about the programs that meet their interests. It has been my experience that when you meet their interests, they are more likely to join. So please get to know the veterans in your community and invite them to join.
There are two other areas I make equally my second priority for our Grande. The first is The Kansas Merci Boxcar and Museum. Historically the burden of maintaining and improving our Merci Boxcar has fallen on Voiture 1543. There are a couple of Voitures that have helped but every Voiture in Grand du Kansas has custodial responsibility for the Merci Boxcar. We may have one of the best boxcars in the country, but there is always a need for money to improve things on and in the boxcar. Currently we are working to replace the sign on the pavilion and improving the museum displays inside. Therefore, I challenge every Voiture to strive to do at least one fund raiser for the boxcar this year. This boxcar isn’t just the responsibility of Voiture 1543 but is the responsibility of all Grande du Kansas Voitures. We have one of the best boxcars in the United States and now let’s make it the best.
The other equally important challenge I would like to see made a priority is Nurses Training. The 40 & 8 is the only veterans’ organization that specifically supports scholarships for nurses. There is a shortage of nurses in Kansas, and we should do whatever we can to help nursing students. Therefore, I challenge every Voiture to support at least one nursing student. Even if it isn’t a large amount, there are a lot of students that struggle to pay for their education and every little bit helps. If we help a student with a nursing scholarship, we should help that student apply for the Nationale Nursing Scholarship. Currently, Nationale has not had enough applicants for the Nationale Scholarship for the number of scholarships available. It would be wonderful if we could make Kansas the number one Grande supporting Nurses Training.
While those are my priorities, that doesn’t take anything away from the other programs that we champion. We should always give our best effort to maximize our efforts in them as well.
As we continue to move forward, I would like to continue the close-knit brother and sisterhood that we share. The Voiture 1543 Correspondant attended his first Grande Promenade this year and I would like to share with you his text to me. It is an example of the type of environment I would like us to always strive to create within all of Kansas. “Thank you for inviting me into this extended family. I felt so much acceptance. Did not even feel like an outsider as I do in other organizations, I have been in first time going to a state event. Thank you so much.”
This is how every one of us should feel about our organization. We want everyone to feel as if they are part of an extended family when they are with us. Please strive to make that the environment within your Voiture.
Finally, I want to echo Grand Chef Passe’s remarks about PTSD. Many of our newer veterans that have fought in Afghanistan and Iraq suffer from this never-ending affliction. It is hard for many to live with the hell that is burned into their memories. There is no cure for PTSD, and it is difficult to live with. Always consider being a lifeline for these veterans that have sacrificed for us. Let them know you are available for them to reach out to when they need it. While there is no cure for PTSD, help them put good life experiences on top of those bad memories. The more positive memories they create, the deeper into the background those old memories recede. Be the one they can count on to create these new memories and get them involved in living again. Find out the non-profit organizations that help soldiers with PTSD and get them in contact with them. We are losing too many veterans to suicide because of PTSD. We need to help them, so they don’t become part of that statistic.
I look forward to another great year in Grand du Kansas as we move forward. Please feel free to contact me about anything you feel is important.
From the Desk of 2023-2024 Grande Chef de Gare Nick Weyers:
Summer 2023
Greetings Veterans, Families, and Community Leaders,
Our Kansas state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera” is quite fitting for the current time. “To the stars through difficulties” This motto was adopted in the first legislative session of the state of Kansas in 1861 and still applies today.
Imagine a generic old bomb or floating mine. When they explode its contents are blown in all directions and thus the effect is quite localized. The bigger the device, the bigger the localized effect but this energy lacks direction. Over time we have improved these combat tools into more directed targeting with devices like claymore mines. These mines have a general directed area but with limited range. However, there is at least a more targeted area of defense with these devices.
Next, imagine those tiny lasers that you can purchase at the local pet store to annoy your pets. While this laser is powered by tiny batteries, it has a very specific direction and quite a bit of range for that tiny device.
In the math and physics world we have the concept of a vector. This term is a means to communicate not only the direction of energy but also the magnitude or strength. A bomb would not have a general vector because all the energy is shed reasonably equally among all directions. A claymore mine would have a vector but lacks the magnitude because of the wide angle of energy dissipation. Now, this cheap laser has a very specific direction but only powered by tiny little batteries. While the laser has a specific vector it needs more power, aka energy.
This brings me back to Ad Astra per Aspera. For many years we have had the luxury of riding the “bomb” and prospered. Lately however, we have had more of a claymore mine technique by casting a wide net “that-a way” and seeing what we get. I think of this more as fishing with a net rather than targeting a specific area. As we move into the next phase, our great veteran’s organization is led by laser focused leaders. We must keep our direction aligned and increase the power of our laser by working together to provide more energy. We have reached for the stars and have had our share of difficulty. Through this difficulty we have shared in the comradery that bound us together in our military service.
With being over 100 years old, our great 40&8 can turn to the real relevance of today’s veterans. We have experienced advisors at the ready, talented leaders ready to adapt and overcome, and able-bodied younger veterans ready to carry the torch and provide feedback. We must generate value and worth for the younger veterans as well as seasoned Voyageurs Militaire. Let’s offer bingo for those that wish to play bingo yet reach out and entertain those that want to play video games with their veteran comrades.
Think of PTSD as a wound that needs to be treated as much as bullet wounds or leprosy. Aid in the future of our veteran’s organization by opening our minds to support networks and concepts that are relevant to today’s service member. A hardened mind takes in no new ideas and loses relevance and connection to the world.
I beg all of us to keep an open mind, reach out to our fellow veterans and their families, support your communities, build and maintain your foundation and comradery, take a deep breath when your mind is challenged and patience is limited, and for gosh sakes… have fun!
Fall 2023
"For God and country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To create a charitable and non-profit veterans organization; to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to assist and promote the welfare and well being of those who have served or are now serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and their widows, widowers and orphans; to participate in all memorial services for and to be present at the funerals of departed comrades; to take part in and encourage others to participate in the proper observance of all days honoring veterans; to preserve the memories of our Service in the Armed Forces of our Country; to actively participate within our membership in projects relating to (a) the welfare of the children of America; (b) the health of our Nation by fostering a nurses training program; and (c) selected charitable endeavors."
Turn the page. Start a new chapter. Embrace and learn from the past, be present today, and look for how you can fit into the next year. Proud past and fantastic future.
My father, a Naval Aviator, always spoke highly of his commitment to service. So much so that at 17 years old I enlisted in the Army as both of my grandfathers before me. He unknowingly instilled so much of our preamble that brought me to this organization. When is the last time the preamble was truly reflected upon with your Locale or Grande? Let’s take a look:
For God and country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To create a charitable and non-profit veterans organization;
One would think that this is the easiest statement in our preamble. It’s just about creating something, right? I argue that this is the most difficult statement and sets the stage for all of the other statements in our ritual. This simple introduction embraces the concept of community. “Build it and they will come.” I surmise that a strong foundation is necessary prior to building upon it. This is the first step of what we associate ourselves with: Comradery. Build a network of veterans and families and the rest of the preamble is innately complete. As I turn the page on last year I reflect on my own effect on this community. Could I have bit my tongue a little longer? Were my actions more harmful than good even though well intentioned? Did I argue my point so well that it chased someone away from the group instead of fostering an environment of openness? By facilitating a culture of kindness and understanding we build a community. The phrase “I understand and accept that I do not understand” is being self-aware. We add tools to our toolboxes with relationships that can tackle whatever problems we face and enable creating this charitable and non-profit veterans organization.
to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
If I were a founding father and returning from WWI, I would contextualize that this concept was a prevalent theme in much culture. Have my actions this year been in the spirit of the founding fathers? Did I support the ideals of the Constitution? Can I reread something or research a bit more and apply context? Recently I have been listening to a short video series on the Constitution and what I remember is not necessarily what is in the written document. I guess age is beginning to show. I could have fought valiantly in arguments for what I believed… and been wrong.
to assist and promote the welfare and well being of those who have served or are now serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and their widows, widowers and orphans;
I return to the community. How best have we promoted a healthy return to civilian life for our veterans and their families? A return to the local community as veterans is a lifetime commitment. A commitment for us to challenge ourselves and for the community to support our engagement. The healthy return is not just when someone has a family or earns a civilian career or job. For some, it takes the rest of their lives to take off the camo paint. Have we just put a brown bottle and pack of smokes in front of them and laughed and called it good? Is this really the community we want to encourage and does it support their physical and mental wellbeing? Does it support their families or did we pull them away? Or should we be encouraging their families and children to participate in building the foundation to build upon?
to participate in all memorial services for and to be present at the funerals of departed comrades;
Respecting our fallen comrades. Our community aches and yearns for connection when a comrade joins Voiture Everlasting. Have we been there for their families, friends, and community? I mean, really been mentally present and not just showing up to the funeral. Have we reached out a month later just to say we were thinking of them? Sometimes it’s not about fixing their hurt but offering a silent shoulder to lean on.
to take part in and encourage others to participate in the proper observance of all days honoring veterans;
When I read this statement I reflect on the word “encourage.” This means setting the example and making our participation not mandatory but being absent creates a feeling of a void. Have you had a chance to put our flags (and pick them up) during Memorial Day? What about participating or attending a Veterans Day ceremony at city hall or at a small local park or VFW? Have you handed out flags to children at parades? This encourages others to participate by making it meaningful.
to preserve the memories of our Service in the Armed Forces of our Country;
How better to preserve our memories of our Service than to laugh together? This year could I have been a little less serious? Did I enable a culture of clean and fun jokes and pranks? As a local leader and the Grande du Kansas Chef de Gare I challenged our leaders to build culture together. The stories that are told of our Service, no matter how small, creates bonds that can last a lifetime and builds the catalyst that keeps this organization together.
to actively participate within our membership in projects relating to (a) the welfare of the children of America; (b) the health of our Nation by fostering a nurses training program; and (c) selected charitable endeavors."
Key words: actively participate. This can be by being a leader of a local program or only supporting financially if you are unable. Do not judge those whose kind generosity is limited to funding due to disability, shyness, or maybe even some PTSD. This year, I could have done better to foster an embracing culture. I could have delegated more. I could have listened more and transmitted less.
So, now it’s time for 2024. I hope each of you considers your own thoughts and reviews our preamble. Keep up the great work and support each other, even if we don’t understand. May the ties of comradeship which bound us together during our military service be ever strengthened, and let us hasten to each other's aid at every opportunity.