by larryw | Jun 21, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
(L – R) Jeff Anderson, Co-Chair Poppy Committee, Rita Anderson, Co-Chair-Poppy Committee, Pam Sanchez, Lead Fulfillment Associate, Ryan Hostetler, Specialty Assistant Store Manager, and Ed Reed, Vice Commander-Public-Relations.
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, Post 178 members presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Specialty Assistant Manager Ryan Hostetler and Pam Sanchez, Lead Fulfillment Associate, on behalf of Lowe’s Store #2673 in Little Elm. Lowe’s offered its facilities to Post 178 on National Poppy Day, Friday, May 27, 2022.
Members Thor Anderson, Vice Commander – Post Activities, Jose Torres, Adjutant, and Jeff Anderson, Co-Chair Poppy Committee, staffed the site that helped spread awareness of this important day.
Customers leaving Lowe’s were asked to wear a red poppy to honor the fallen and support the living who had worn our nation’s uniform. The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars.
All donations received will be used by Post 178 for their programs that support veterans, the military community, and their families.
by larryw | Jun 21, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
(L – R) John Stammreich, new Post 178 Commander, Gene Toohey, Department Vice Commander, and Delbert Parsons, Immediate Past Commander.
Post 178 elected 13 Post Executive Committee officers at its general membership meeting on June 20, 2022. All newly elected officers will serve from July 2022 to June 2023. Former Commander Delbert Parsons will fill the Immediate Past Commander position.
Mr. Gene Toohey, Department Vice Commander, conducted the election and installed the new officers. Elected were John Stammreich – Commander, Rita Anderson – Vice Commander-Public Relations, Jeff Anderson – Vice Commander – Membership, Thor Anderson-Vice Commander – Post Activities, Terry Gilbert – Vice Commander – Programs, Jose Torres – Adjutant, Terry Meyering – Finance Officer, Bill McGowan – Judge Advocate, Fred Rogers – Service Officer, James Schaub – Chaplain, Ron Burcher – Sergeant at Arms, Ted Ruybal -Member at Large, and Larry Wilhelm – Member at Large.
Mr. Toohey commented, “The leadership of Post 178 will continue its fine tradition of serving veterans, youth, and the Frisco and surrounding communities.”
by larryw | Jun 14, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
The American Legion Post 178 Color Guard and cadets from the Lebanon Trail Navy National Defense Cadet Corps presented the Nation’s Colors and service flags at the Lone Star Corvette Classic at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo Courtesy of Cadet Seaman Emma Ward.
On Saturday, June 11, the American Legion Post 178 Color Guard and five members of the Lebanon Trail Navy National Defense Cadet Corps presented the Nation’s Colors at the 32nd Annual Lone Star Corvette Classic at the Texas Motor Speedway. The Classic is a major event of the Lone Star Corvette Club. Proceeds benefit the Speedway Children’s Charities and The National Corvette Museum.
The Classic was a two-day event. On Friday, it started with a picnic-style dinner followed by laps around the Texas Motor Speedway. On Saturday, the day was full of sun, great cars, and wholesome fun. It started with a car show on the parking lot and ended with dinner, awards, and a live auction.
Founded in 1982, the Lone Star Corvette Club has over 1,000 members in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It offers about any activity an owner of “America’s Sports Car” could want.
by larryw | Jun 6, 2022 | American Legion Post 178, Anniversary
June marks the 78th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. We will always remember and never forget the sacrifices and valor exhibited by our armed forces on June 6, 1944.
On D-Day Allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. The invasion is significant in history for the role it played in World War II. During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the battle began when some 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes, and 156,000 American, British, and Canadian servicemen landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. When it was over, the Allied Forces had suffered nearly 10,000 casualties; more than 4,000 were dead. Yet somehow, due to planning and preparation, and due to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Forces, Fortress Europe had been breached.
The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. Prior to D-Day, the Allies conducted a large-scale deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. By late August 1944, all northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
by larryw | Jun 4, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
(L-R) Veteran volunteers Jeffery Anderson and Jose Torres distributed poppies at Lowe’s in Little Elm.
Post 178 members successfully distributed poppies on National Poppy Day at two locations: Lowe’s in Little Elm, TX and Frisco Gun Club in Frisco, TX. Rita Anderson, Poppy Day Committee Co-Chair said, “Both locations were very supportive partners that helped ensure our success.”
Utilization of the two locations began in early May when Fred Rogers, Immediate Past Commander, and Ed Reed, Vice Commander-Public Relations, initiated contact. Fred Rogers said “It did not really take much selling on our part to get their agreement to participate. They are both great supporters of our veteran community.”
Post 178 members staffed a table near the exits and asked customers leaving the locations to wear a red poppy to honor the fallen and support the living who had worn our nation’s uniform. Members explained that the red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. Many individuals recognized the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. As a result, the vast majority gladly accepted a poppy.
The day was a success because of volunteers Ted Ruybal, Terry Gilbert, Jeffery Anderson, Jose Torres, and Thor Anderson.
All donations received will be used by Post 178 for their programs that support veterans, the military community, and their families.
by larryw | Jun 2, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
(L-R) Post 178 veterans Delbert Parsons, Ron Bircher, and John Allen
Under a large, white tented pavilion, the veterans and residents of the Clyde Cosper Texas State Veterans Home, along with family, friends, and staff, enjoyed a patriotic program led by three members of American Legion Post 178.
Veterans John Allen, (U.S. Army Retired), Delbert Parsons, Commander-Post 178, and Ron Bircher, Post 178 Sergeant-at-Arms, played key roles during the ceremony. John Allen was the Master of Ceremonies who initiated the Civil Air Patrol Texoma Composite Squadron 262 Color Guard’s posting of the Colors and singing of the National Anthem. John was also the keynote speaker. Pastor Tim Flannery, First Melissa, gave the invocation. Auxiliary-Unit 178 provided poppies to all male audience members.
The Honor Roll was led by Delbert Parsons who read the names of veterans who had passed in 2021 and Ron Bircher rang a bell after each name to honor them. A guest trumpeter played TAPS. After prayer, the Colors were retired. Attendees then enjoyed snacks, refreshments, and camaraderie.
