Voiture 206, 40 & 8 Organization Makes $50,000 Donation to Midland University School of Nursing
For more than 100 years, the Voiture 40 & 8 organization has helped fund the education of nurses across the country. The Voiture 206, 40 & 8 chapter from Omaha recently made a $50,000 donation to the School of Nursing at Midland University to support the next generation of nurses.
Voiture 40 & 8 was formed in 1920 by American Legionnaires as an honor society, and from its earliest days, it has been committed to charitable aims. Membership is by invitation for members of the American Legion who have shown exemplary service. All 40 & 8 members are thus veterans of congressionally recognized wartime periods via their Legion membership. The organization’s titles and symbols reflect its World War I origins. American servicemen in France were transported to the battle front on French railroads and inside boxcars (called Voitures) that were half the size of American boxcars. Each French boxcar was marked with a “40/8”, denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses.
The organization has been involved in numerous charitable efforts over the years, including the support for educating nurses who have provided care to servicemen and veterans in wartime and in peace. James Miller, who serves as Correspondent/Commissaire Intendant for Voiture 20, said servicemen have long relied on the care of nurses, and they want to ensure that continues into the future. “Getting students trained to be a well-qualified nurse makes so much sense,” Miller said. “We are looking out for future service members.”
Dr. Linda Quinn, Dean for the College of Health Professions, said the funds will be used for upgrades in the nursing lab in Fremont Hall. The purchased equipment will include updated technology currently in use in acute practice settings. Items include an additional Gaumard manikin, allowing students to practice identification of heart sounds and rhythms, intravenous pumps, hospital bed suites, and several new wheelchairs. “This is an amazing gift that we can use with every nursing student. The upgrades in technology and equipment will support the preparation of nursing students in a realistic patient care setting.” Quinn said.
Midland is one of several institutions in Nebraska that is receiving funding from Voiture 206. “James Miller contacted us through a former faculty member (Jean Goble), and faculty and staff coordinated and started to put together a purchase list,” Quinn said. “This money will be used not only to upgrade equipment but toward preparing nurses with the skills needed for their future practice,”
Miller has a long tradition with the military in his family. He served three tours of duty during the VietNam War, his father served during World War II, and his brother was part of the Nebraska Army National Guard for 38 years. He’s grateful to be part of an organization that has worked hard to serve others during its existence. “This club has surrounded me with a group of individuals that know what it means to commit themselves to serving their country and their community,” he said. “You can’t ask for any more from your peers.”
Quinn said she and her entire faculty and staff are grateful for the contributions of Voiture 206 and what it will mean to current and future nursing students. “We have an overarching gratitude to Voiture for their generosity,” Quinn said. “Every nursing student will benefit from this donation.”
