by larryw | Jun 27, 2021 | American Legion Post 178
Many people across the globe suffer silently with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). To educate the public and help those affected, June 27 has been named PTSD Awareness Day.
This is a great opportunity to talk with family and friends and learn more about this disorder and how it affects those around us, particularly our service members. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health disorder that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threating event.
According to the PTSD Foundation of America an estimated 7.8 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, while about 30 percent of service members who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD. Typically, only 50 percent of PTSD sufferers seek treatment.
Given that service members are one of the most vulnerable populations when it comes to stress-related illnesses, services are available to help military and veteran communities deal with emotional and mental health issues like PTSD. Helping military members cope with everyday stressors or take control of their mental health before, during and after deployment is especially important.
by larryw | Jun 24, 2021 | Events, Press Release
(L-R) Past 1st Division Commander Gene Toohey congratulates the new 2021-22 Post 178 Commander Rick Redden. Photo by Jeanie Beal
Post 178 implemented a new organizational structure and elected 12 Post Executive Committee officers at its general membership meeting on June 21, 2021. All newly elected officers will serve from July 2021 to June 2022. Former Commander Fred Rogers will fill the Immediate Past Commander position.
Mr. Gene Toohey, past 1st Division Commander, conducted the election. Elected were Rick Redden- Commander, Ed Reed-Vice Commander-Public Relations, Thor Anderson-Vice Commander-Post Activities, Terry Gilbert-Vice Commander-Programs, Jose Torres-Adjutant, Terry Meyering-Finance Officer, Bill McGowan-Judge Advocate, Paul Huff-Service Officer, James Schaub-Chaplain, Gemar Johnston-Sergeant at Arms, Ted Ruybal-Member at Large, and Larry Wilhelm-Member at Large.
4th District Commander Jason Castleberry installed the new officers. Commander Castleberry commented, “The leadership of Post 178 will continue its fine tradition of serving veterans, youth, and the Frisco and surrounding communities as it has done since it was chartered in 2014.”
by larryw | Jun 23, 2021 | Auxiliary, Coast Guard
June 23, 2021 is the official Coast Guard Auxiliary birthday. Most are familiar with the Coast Guard, and while the Coast Guard Reserve is not quite as well known, it is the Coast Guard Auxiliary which remains one of the more obscure (but important) groups that has traditionally been associated with the United States Military.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed auxiliary service of the United States Coast Guard. It is comprised of 26,000 members who volunteer their time to support the operation of the Coast Guard, promote and improve recreational boating safety, and provide trained crews and facilities to enhance the safety and security of US ports, waterways, and coastal regions.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an unpaid force of volunteers who perform duties like or in support of the regular Coast Guard. Legislation passed in the mid-1990s authorized the Auxiliary to support any Coast Guard missions not involving law enforcement or real-world military operations. Today the Coast Guard, Reserve, and Auxiliary under the Department of Homeland Security.
by larryw | Jun 21, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Auxiliary
ALA Unit 178 members (L-R) Glena Rogers, Tiffany Troxclair, Mary Kate Troxclair, Dolores Faulkner, Janice Kenyon, and Vickie Allen are ready to greet Bonham residents.
Things are getting “back to normal” for ALA Unit 178. After many months away because of COVID quarantine requirements, we were finally available to visit our sweet ladies in Bonham. We have missed our “Red Hat Tea Parties” and it was a pleasure to bring refreshments, sweets, and gifts to our resident friends at the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home.
We had the further pleasure of Mary Kate Troxclair joining our trip. She is one of our junior members who is also completing her term as the Junior Department (State) President. Under Mary Kate’s supervision, the juniors who attend the ALA Department Convention this summer will help create greeting cards for the Bonham residents that will be delivered on a future visit.
The Bluebonnet Girls State delegates from Unit 178 are about to begin their 2021 session. Again, a virtual program, we have the honor of sending 14 students from six area high schools to represent our community. Congratulations to Simra Masroor, Gurpreet Thind, Deepika Manduva, and Sanya Oak of Heritage HS; Surani Srivastava and Faith Lee of Frisco HS; Mishaal Qureshi, Rachel Waller, and Olivia McCauley of Reedy HS; Jungyun Yang of Wakeland HS; Netra Bhargava and Isra Juwariya of Liberty HS; and Catherine Mersiovsky and Mary Kate Troxclair of Little Elm HS. We look forward to all the remarkable things these young ladies will accomplish as they become citizens of Texas Girls State.
by larryw | Jun 16, 2021 | Color Guard, Memorial, Press Release
Post 178 Color Guard events during May 2021.
Photo #1 – Texas Gold Star Families Memorial Dedication
Photo #2 – Memorial Day Program at Sunrise Senior Living
Photo #3 – 31st Annual Lone Star Corvette Classic at Texas Motor Speedway
Photo #4 – Armed Forces Day Celebration at Prairie Estates Skilled Nursing
Photo #5 – Texas Motor Speedway INDYCAR Race
Photo #6 – Memorial Day Observance at Frisco Commons Park
Photo #7 – Armed Forces Day at Frisco Roughriders Game
Photo #8 – Allen Americans Hockey
The American Legion Post 178 Color Guard has been in high demand in 2021. Its participation in events during 2020 were almost nonexistent because of the pandemic. But as COVID-19 restrictions have eased, requests to present the Nation’s Colors have increased dramatically.
The guard maintains a remarkably busy schedule for presenting the Nation’s Colors in Frisco and surrounding communities at numerous events, such as grand openings, ballgames, schools, holidays, community events and American Legion functions. Its Honor Guard also performs funerals and memorial services for area veterans and members of Post 178 upon request of the family. It also is qualified to perform services at the D/FW National Cemetery.
The guard was formed in 2014, the same year Post 178 was chartered. It currently has 12 members who fill various positions: flags, rifles, bugle, saber, and detail leader. In 2020 because of COVID-19, the number of events were reduced to ten. The number of events was 40 and 58 in 2019 and 2018, respectively. In May 2020 only 1 event was completed, however, 8 were completed in May 2021. The number of events should return to normal levels in 2022.
Besides time dedicated to scheduled events, practice is held monthly. Additionally, members pay more than half of the $400 in uniform costs. The post also has a Service Flag Detail that presents the flags of the United States Services and averages 3-4 events per year.
Post 178 is proud of its Color/Honor Guard. It provides services at no cost, but accepts donations, and welcomes interested parties to contact Color Guard Captain Larry Wilhelm at friscolegion.colorguard@gmail.com. To learn more visit friscolegion.org.
by larryw | Jun 15, 2021 | Events
The election of our 2021-2022 Post Executive Committee officers will be held at our Membership Meeting on June 21, 2021, at 6:30 P.M. at Venture X – Frisco, 6735 Salt Cedar Way, 3rd floor.
This will be a “hybrid” meeting. You will be able to attend and vote in-person or virtually by Zoom. Zoom connection details will be sent before the meeting.
Two distinguished guests will attend our meeting: Mr. Gene Toohey, former 1st Division Commander, will conduct our election and 4th District Commander Jason Castleberry will install the new officers.
