Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.
The annual observance will be held on Monday, May 31, 2021 at 9am at the Veterans Memorial at Frisco Commons Park.
Commander Fred Rogers presents the Peter J Courcy Post 178 Military
Excellence – Leadership Award to Cadet Captain Anaela Marquez.
Photo by Ed Reed
The Lake Highlands High School Wildcat Battalion Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) held their 1st Annual Pass in Review and Award Ceremony on May 14, 2021. Lieutenant Colonel (RET) Robert Gerald, Senior Army Instructor, and Master Sergeant (RET) Calvin Washington, Army Instructor, invited American Legion Post 178 Commander Fred Rogers, Vice Commanders Rick Redden and Ed Reed to attend the ceremony.
Commander Rogers presented the awards to two outstanding cadets. Cadet Staff Sergeant Stephane Edegbe was awarded the Peter J Courcy Post 178 Scholastic Achievement Award. Cadet Captain Anaela Marquez was awarded the Peter J Courcy Post 178 Military Excellence – Leadership Award.
The LHHS Wildcat program was established in 2019 and currently has approximately 100 cadets. The program includes numerous special teams: Raider Team, Color Guard, Drill & Ceremony, Rifle Team, and Saber Team. The battalion’s mission is “To Motivate Young People to Be Better Citizens.” The ceremony concluded with the longstanding military tradition of the Battalion Pass in Review.
Color Guard members: (L-R) John Ricca, Thor Anderson, Fred Rogers, Larry Wilhelm (Color Guard Captain), Terry Gilbert, and Ted Ruybal.
The American Legion Post 178 Color Guard presented the Nation’s colors and Commander Fred Rogers provided an Armed Forces Day program on Friday, May 15, 2021 for many of the residents at the Frisco Prairie Estates Skilled Nursing facility. The facility is a 180-bed, 24-hour senior living center. Post 178 has provided a program since it was founded in 2014. The participatory program included resident acknowledgements of family members who had served or were currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Armed Forces Day is a day to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces. President Truman led the effort to establish a holiday for citizens to unite and to honor our military heroes for their patriotic service in support of the United States of America.
Armed Forces Day is a joint celebration of all six branches of the U.S. military: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and the newly created Space Force. The day honors all people currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. This includes the men and women who have served or are serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard, including the National Guard and Reserve components.
Today, and every day, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the millions of American patriots who fill the ranks of our Armed Forces. We are eternally grateful for every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman, and member of the Space Force, and we deeply appreciate the sacrifices their families and loved ones make on our behalf.
Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, Frisco Commons Park, Frisco, TX
Photographer-Vice Commander Ed Reed
The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument dedication ceremony was held on May 13, 2021 at Frisco Commons Park, Frisco, TX. The Post 178 Color Guard had the honor of presenting our Nation’s colors.
Post 178 Color Guard (L-R) Commander Fred Rogers, Ted Ruybal, Larry Wilhelm,
Color Guard Captain, and Terry Gilbert. Photographer-Jeanie Beal
Gold Star Family members and relatives are those who have sacrificed a loved one for our freedom. The monument honors the families of servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the military. It is located to the west of the Veterans Memorial.
The Gold Star Family Memorial was created by Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams to remember those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The public was invited and encouraged to attend the groundbreaking and dedication celebrations.
The memorial monument is a two-sided tribute made of black granite. One side bears the words: Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a loved one for our Freedom. The other side tells a story through the four granite panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot, and Sacrifice.
The monument provides a place of permanence for Gold Star Families to gather and utilize the monument through outreach events. It can also educate the public about Gold Star Families’ enduring sacrifices and the ultimate sacrifice made by their loved ones.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 members, (L-R) Tracy Gamble and Virginia Mendlik, greeted shoppers with poppies in 2020 at the Frisco Lowe’s Home Improvement.
After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Its growth was attributed to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by World War I. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battles following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines.
The poppy became the official flower of The American Legion on September 22, 1920 to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during World War I. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion.
The American Legion Auxiliary has used poppies for many years to raise awareness and support for our nation’s veterans. This year the American Legion Auxiliary will continue to bring attention to this symbolic flower by calling upon all Americans to honor the fallen and support the living on National Poppy Day, May 28,2021.
Since 2015 Auxiliary Unit 178 has distributed poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower donate to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families with medical and financial needs.
On Saturday, May 28 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. members of Auxiliary Unit 178 will distribute poppies at Lowe’s Home Improvement at 3360 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034.
On National Poppy Day, wear a red poppy to honor the fallen and support the living who have worn our nation’s uniform.