(L-R) Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, Cadet Lieutenant Abhigna Yella, Company Commander, Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Lucas Antonelli, Command Master Chief, Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Karina Roberts, Operations Officer, and Cadet Ensign Dan Sahaya, Logistics Officer, provide a unit summary to Post 178 veterans. Photo by John Brady.
Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, along with four cadets from the Lebanon Trail Navy National Defense Cadet Corps, were special guests at the Post 178 March Membership Meeting. The four cadets represented the key officer and enlisted positions of the Cadet Corps and shared a presentation about the activities of their area of responsibility.
Major Billings and the cadets annually provide a “State of the Corps” presentation that includes details of the current program’s enrollment, goals, activities, and competitions. Major Billings said, “The program strives to instill ideals of leadership, character, honor, and service…the same ideals supported by the American Legion youth programs.” He also shared that awareness of the Cadet Corps has improved significantly since its inception in 2020. For its third year, the number of cadets participating in the program increased from 72 to 107 cadets.
After their presentation, Post 178 Commander Ed Reed presented a $1,000 donation to Major Billings and the Anchor Club Booster Club to support the Corps’ current programs and planned activities. Commander Reed said, “Post 178 is honored to have such a positive partnership with the Cadet Corps that provides leadership opportunities for Frisco ISD women and men young adults.”
Post 178 Commander Ed Reed presents a donation to Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, along with Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Lucas Antonelli and Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Karina Roberts.