Apr 16, 2021
Marquette Voiture 599 du Marquette County of the 40 et 8, awarded the 2021 nursing scholarship to Northern Michigan University senior Jordan Emerick on April 5. Pictured from the left: Charlie Hawes, Mike Trickey, Jordan Emerick and George LaBlonde, III. Emerick demonstrated academic excellence and strong leadership potential. Emerick received $500 to help further his education. The 40 et 8 is a fun and honor society of veterans that support the nursing program by awarding funds to help good students. This society traces its origin to World War I, where our soldiers were transported by train to the trenches in French boxcars emblazoned with 40/8, which indicated that the boxcar could transport 40 soldiers or 8 horses in no particular order. Voiture 599 was chartered in 1919 and organizes their activities at American Legion Post 44, Marquette.
Welcome Home Alliance for Veteransâ new board of directors is committed to seeing the veteran support and advocacy organization through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virus and restrictions in place to reduce its spread have meant the closure of Welcome Homeâs Warrior Resource Center to general foot traffic, and a suspension of its popular programs like veterans coffee each Thursday, where those who served could meet up with others for important face-to-face contact and and camaraderie.
The nonprofit continues to assist veterans in other ways, including by offering appointment-only services, but cannot host large in-person gatherings.
The pandemic has not changed its mission, however, new board president Randy Havens said.