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.

 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

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.

American Legion Post 178 Presents Awards at Lake Highlands JROTC Award Ceremony

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.

Armed Forces Day Celebration at Prairie Estates Nursing Home

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

Armed Forces Day

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.