by larryw | May 13, 2021 | Recognitions
Children of Fallen Patriots Day will be observed on May 13, 2021. In the past 25 years, more than 15,000 children have lost parents in military conflict. Children of Fallen Patriots Day was created to both honor these children and raise awareness of the sacrifices and struggles they must endure in the wake of their parent’s death. May 13 was selected as the date of observance due to being the day Arlington National Cemetery was established in 1864.
Although Children of Fallen Patriots Day is not a nationally recognized day of remembrance, since 2014, governors from across the nation have issued proclamations to officially designate May 13th as a day to honor these children. Currently, 27 states and the District of Columbia now recognize and observe Children of Fallen Patriots Day in some form.
The Fallen Patriots Foundation was established to honor the memory of Sergeant William Delaney Gibbs. Sergeant Gibbs served in the 7th Infantry Division during Operation Just Cause in Panama. On December 20, 1989, Sergeant Gibbs was killed in action, widowing his young wife who was pregnant with their daughter at the time. Inspired both by Sergeant Gibb’s sacrifice and the plight of the family he left behind, the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation was established in 2002.
For more than 19 years, the foundation has provided college scholarships and educational counseling to children who have lost parents in military conflict, called Gold Star scholars. Scholarships are awarded to Gold Star scholars in all 50 states and in all branches of the military.
by larryw | May 9, 2021 | Recognitions
Mother’s Day is a holiday celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May. Mother’s Day in 2021 is on Sunday, the 9th of May. Do not forget to give your mother a gift, send a card, take her out for dinner or buy her some nice flowers to show her how special she is.
Mother’s Day is not a federal holiday, but it is a day to celebrate motherhood and show appreciation for mothers, including (great-)grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, and other mother figures. The special day goes way back: the modern holiday was first celebrated in 1908. Anna Marie Jarvis was the founder of this holiday in the United States.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. The holiday quickly drew the attention of merchants hoping to cash in on Mother’s Day sales and before long, Jarvis began speaking out on the commercialization of the holiday, saying it was meant to honor the contribution of mothers and not fatten the wallets of businessmen.
In these times, it is good to connect with your family, especially your mother.
by larryw | May 8, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Anniversary, Recognitions
On May 7, 1945, the Allied forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union forced the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. The following day, May 8, citizens around the world celebrated the news of “Victory in Europe (V-E) Day.” It celebrated the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany’s surrender of its armed forces, marking the end of World War II in Europe. It was the first hurdle on the path to ending World War II.
V-E Day was by no means the end of the war. It would be another four months before Japan would surrender to the Allies in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, known as “Victory over Japan (V-J) Day.”
May 8 had been a long time coming. The tide had changed in favor of the Allies after the Soviets held back the German army at Stalingrad, in a bitter five-month campaign in 1942-43. With the Nazi war machine checked, there was light at the end of the tunnel. However, for two more years battles raged on land, sea, and in the air. Millions of people would lose their lives. Cities, towns, whole communities were lost overnight.
At the World War II Memorial, 24 bas-relief sculptures recount the progress of United States war effort. The last bas-relief depicts the overwhelming excitement of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and civilians alike on V-J day, but it easily translates to the emotions felt and expressed on V-E Day.
V-E Day is celebrated every year. During anniversary observances, fewer and fewer of those who witnessed it are with us. Visiting the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC ensures that while their presence may be soon lost, their legacy will remain.
by larryw | May 8, 2021 | Recognitions
Armed Forces Week is celebrated in the week leading up to Armed Forces Day, May 15, 2021. For American service members, Armed Forces Week is an occasion to remember past and present service for all branches of the service. Once upon a time there was a separate occasion for each branch of the military, later consolidated into a single remembrance. Armed Forces Week is not a uniquely American recognition of military service. Many countries celebrate an Armed Forces Day/Week including South Korea, Iran, China, and many others.
Armed Forces Day was observed for the first time on May 20, 1950, the day was created on August 31, 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches. Armed Forces Day/Week was created in the wake of the consolidation of military services under the United States Department of Defense. Although Armed Forces Week/Day officially replaced separate Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Days, each branch of the service still honors its own day.
by larryw | May 7, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Recognitions
National Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 7, 2021, is a presidentially approved holiday and is celebrated annually on the Friday before Mother’s Day. On this day we honor the contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses.
Their commitment and support help to keep our country safe. America’s military spouses are the backbone of the families who support our troops during mission, deployment, reintegration and reset. Military spouses are silent heroes who are essential to the strength of the nation, and they serve our country just like their loved ones. If you know one, thank them on behalf on a grateful nation.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan recognized the profound importance of spousal commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members. Congress officially made Military Spouse Appreciation Day part of National Military Appreciation Month in 1999. Subsequently, the Department of Defense standardized the date by declaring the Friday before Mother’s Day every year as “Military Spouse Appreciation Day” to show appreciation for the sacrifices of military spouses.
by larryw | May 4, 2021 | Press Release
Post 178 Color Guard (L-R) Delbert Parsons, Larry Marshall, John Ricca, Ted Ruybal, Larry Wilhelm (Color Guard Captain), Terry Gilbert.
The American Legion Post 178 Color Guard presented the nation’s colors on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the GENSEYS 300 NTT INDY CAR SERIES at Texas Motor Speedway. The evening open wheel racing event was wheel-to-wheel racing at speeds over 200 mph.
The American Legion is sponsoring the No. 48 Honda in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES represented by a combination of Seven-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson and former Indianapolis 500 Winner and Series Champion Tony Kanaan. “We’re excited about partnering with The American Legion because it represents a very important relationship with an organization dedicated to supporting veterans,” said Chip Ganassi, team owner of Chip Ganassi Racing.
The American Legion, the nation’s largest and most powerful organization of wartime veterans and their families, is using its presence in Indy car to elevate awareness and introduce a new modern brand expression. The new logo will not replace the historic American Legion emblem, but rather complement it by honoring the history, heritage, and symbols which Legionnaires hold dear.
The American Legion hopes to bring attention to some of the most important issues facing today’s veterans, including veteran suicide, and honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms.
