Post 178 Provides Memorial Day Programs

Post 178 Provides Memorial Day Programs

Vice Commander Rick Redden presenting a Memorial Day program to Parsons House residents. Photography by Ed Reed.

The American Legion Post 178 recently provided Memorial Day programs to Frisco’s Parsons House and Sunrise Senior Living facilities.  The Color Guard posted and retired the Nation’s Colors.  Vice Commander Rick Redden lead the residents in a participatory program about the Memorial Day.  The residents enjoyed sharing information about their personal military service as well as that about family members.  Veterans from various wars, including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, actively participated.  The program has been given for several years at various senior living facilities in Frisco and surrounding communities.

American Legion Post 178 Color Guard Presents Nation’s Colors at the Lone Star Corvette Classic

American Legion Post 178 Color Guard Presents Nation’s Colors at the Lone Star Corvette Classic

Color Guard Members L-R Terry Gilbert, Fred Rogers, John Ricca, Larry Marshall, Thor Anderson, Theodore Ruybal, and Larry Wilhelm Photographer-Jeanie Beal

Service Flag Detail
Army – Don Swift, Marine Corps – Eric Bonar, Navy – DaNee’ Jensen, Air Force – Raymond Cage, Space Force – Korrie Ragsdale, Coast Guard – Brett Ragsdale Photographer-Jeanie Beal

On Saturday, May 22 the American Legion Post 178 Color Guard presented the Nation’s Colors at the 31st Annual Lone Star Corvette Classic at the Texas Motor Speedway.  The Classic is a major event of the Lone Star Corvette Club.  Proceeds benefited the Speedway Children’s Charities and The National Corvette Museum.

Founded in 1982, the Lone Star Corvette Club has over 1,000 members in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  It offers just about any activity an owner of “America’s Sports Car” could want:  Road Trips, Day Triops, Open Road Racing, Drag Racing, Autocross, Car Shows, Displays, Parades, and more.

Memorial Day Observance  at Frisco Commons

Memorial Day Observance at Frisco Commons

Image Credit: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8273

Ceremony Begins 9 a.m. 8000 McKinney Road
(In Front of Veterans Memorial)

Join the City of Frisco, the Frisco Garden Club, Frisco VFW Post 8273, and American Legion Post 178 for a Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 31 at Frisco Commons. The event will feature a traditional flag and wreath-laying ceremony, patriotic music, and local scouts.

American Legion Post 178 Wins  National Media Contest

American Legion Post 178 Wins National Media Contest

The home page of the award-winning website (friscolegion.org) of the American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178

The American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 website (friscolegion.org) was recently selected a 2021 winner in The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA) national media contest.

TALMA is comprised of current members of all branches of the American Legion Family. Four website categories based on membership size were judged on site design, links, and appropriateness of information as it related to the American Legion Family. Since Post 178 currently has more than 600 members, it was judged in the 250-749 member category. Other categories included membership sizes of up to 249 and over 750.

The Public Relations Committee, which maintains the site, includes veterans Eric Bonar, Larry Wilhelm, Jeanie Beal, Gemar Johnston, Terry Meyering, and Ed Reed. Eric Bonar, the post’s webmaster and owner of Sundance Digital Marketing said “I am proud to be a Marine veteran and a member of Post 178. Because of the industry I am in, I had an opportunity to give back by redesigning our website and providing, free of charge, its host platform, but our win was a total team effort.”

Judges noted, “The Post 178 website stands out in its ability to convey information to members and the public in an appealing modern format. It is a great resource and incorporates proper branding and reflects American Legion values appropriately. The Post 178 website stood out in this category among all the entries. The website masterfully combined visual appeal with ease of use. It’s clear to the visitor that this is not just an American Legion post website but one that is modern, inviting and easily highlights current news and updates. This would be an ideal template to follow for posts that are still using outdated website design.”

American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178  Proclaimed A Purple Heart Post

American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 Proclaimed A Purple Heart Post

(R-L) Commander Fred Rogers accepts a sign indicating that Peter J Courcy Post 178 is a MOPH Post from Department of Texas State Commander Gus Wittschack and Centex Commander Post 1876 Tracey L. Brown Greene.  Photograph by Jeanie Beal.

American Legion Post 178 recently became only the third American Legion post in the State of Texas to be designated a Purple Heart Post.  The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Department of Texas State Commander Gus Wittschack presented a proclamation and sign to Commander Fred Rogers during the designation ceremony.  Commander Rogers was honored to accept the Purple Heart Post designation on behalf of its members who are Purple Heart Medal recipients.

Commander Rogers said, “It seems only fitting that our post, along with the City of Frisco who previously received the Purple Heart City designation, also honor our members who are Purple Heart Medal recipients.”  Post 178 estimates that approximately 75 of its more than 600 members have been awarded the medal.

The MOPH is unique among all veteran service organizations in that its membership is comprised entirely of combat veterans who were wounded in action. The MOPH Department of Texas is comprised of 22 chapters, representing almost 4,000 Purple Heart Medal recipients within the State of Texas.

The Post 178 namesake, Peter J. Courcy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, was awarded the medal posthumously.  The post has several members who are multiple recipients of the medal.

American Legion Post 178 Presents Nation’s Colors  on Armed Forces Day at Frisco Roughriders Game

American Legion Post 178 Presents Nation’s Colors on Armed Forces Day at Frisco Roughriders Game

Post 178 Color Guard (L-R) Larry Wilhelm (Color Guard Captain), Ted Ruybal, Terry Gilbert, and Thor Anderson.  Photographer-Jeanie Beal-

The American Legion Post 178 Color Guard presented the Nation’s colors at Dr. Pepper Park  preceding the Frisco Roughriders – Corpus Christi Hooks game on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15, 2021.

Armed Forces Day is a day to pay special tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.  The day honors all people currently serving and those who have served in the military branches.   The sacrifices of their families and loved ones are very much appreciated.

The Roughriders team is a Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.  The team’s identity celebrates one of America’s legendary heroes, Teddy Roosevelt, whose famous Roughriders originated in Texas more than a century ago.  Officially known as the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, this famous regiment participated in the Spanish-American War and became known as the “Rough Riders.”  Its members were personally recruited by Teddy throughout the Lone Star State.  Many of its members were from the areas currently known as the cities of Frisco, Plano, and McKinney.