Join Frisco VFW Post 8273, the Frisco Garden Club, the City of Frisco, and American Legion Post 178 for a Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 9:00 AM in the Frisco Commons Park. The event features a traditional flag and wreath-laying ceremony and patriotic music.
National Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. In the United States, it is observed on the Friday before Memorial Day, which falls on May 24, 2024 this year. On this day, people wear a red poppy to honor the fallen heroes who have worn our nation’s uniform and to support living veterans. The red poppy has been a symbol of sacrifice since World War I, reminding Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms.
Post 178 Boys State delegates pose for a group photo after completing the orientation meeting
Post 178 Boys State Committee members recently completed its annual orientation for the 24 Boys State delegates who will represent 12 Frisco ISD high schools and 1 independent school in Austin at the University of Texas in June. The orientation was held at the Frisco ISD district office.
Larry Wilhelm, Boys State Committee Chairman, said “The purpose of the orientation is to provide information that helps the delegates know what to expect during the five-day program. It also allows both the delegates and their parents to ask questions that improves their understanding of the program.”
The American Legion Boys State, an 85 years-old program, is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instructions for high school students. It is a participatory program where each delegate becomes part of the process of his local, county, and state government.
Using the highly effective experiential learning process, delegates are exposed to the rights and privileges, duties, and responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county, and state governments operated by the delegates elected to various offices.
Since June 2014 and including the 2024 selected young men, Post 178 has sponsored 201 Texas Boys State delegates. The highly competitive Texas Boys State program supports mentoring youth, which is one of the Four Pillars of The American Legion.
Peter J Courcy Post 178 recently presented American Legion JROTC medals for scholastic and military excellence at three area high school awards ceremonies: Lebanon Trail, Rock Hill, and Lake Highlands.
 (L-R) At Lebanon Trail High School, Cadet Lieutenant Abhigna Yella accepts the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal from Ed Reed, Post Commander, Bill Drake, Post Executive Committee Member, and Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Lead Naval Science Instructor. |
 (L-R) At Lebanon Trail High School, Cadet Ensign Dan Sahaya accepts the American Legion Military Excellence Medal from Ed Reed, Post Commander, Bill Drake, Post Executive Committee Member, and Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Lead Naval Science Instructor. |
 At Rock Hill High School, Cadet Sergeant Soumika Annam accepts the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal from Joanne Schumm, Vice Commander – Post Activities. |
 At Rock Hill High School, Cadet First Sergeant Chloe T. Tardiff accepts the American Legion Military Excellence Medal from Larry Wilhelm, Post Executive Committee Member. |
(L-R) At Lake Highlands High School, Cadet Staff Sergeant Alizada Aila accepts the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal from Bill Drake, Post Executive Committee Member. Cadet Staff Sergeant Marcos Limon accepts the American Legion Military Excellence Medal from Terry Gilbert, Vice Commander – Programs.
Post Commander Ed Reed, Bill Drake, Post Executive Committee Member, Larry Wilhelm, Post Executive Committee Member, Joanne Schumm, Vice Commander – Post Activities, and Terry Gilbert, Vice Commander -Programs, presented American Legion certificates and JROTC medals to six distinguished JROTC cadet.
The mission of the JROTC Army and Navy programs is to motivate young cadets to become better citizens and effective leaders. The teaching goals of both the JROTC programs and the Post 178 Americanism programs have identical focuses: leadership, teamwork, personal responsibility, a sense of accomplishment, and service to the nation. American values and patriotism are also highlighted.
Classique Jewelers, a longtime Post 178 supporter, engraved the medals.
Photos Courtesy of John Brady
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the American Legion Post 178 Color Guard and cadets from the Lebanon Trail Navy National Defense Cadet Corps presented our Nation’s Colors and Service Flags at the 34th Lone Star Corvette Classic at the Marriott DFW Hotel and Golf Club.
Color Guard veterans included Terry Gilbert, Larry Wilhelm, Thor Anderson, and Bill Drake. Cadets that attended were Cadet Ensign Avi, Cadet Seaman Adhya Pathangey, Cadet Seaman Jackson Hillier, Cadet Seaman Aanve Pathangey, Cadet PO2 Ian Willink, Cadet Ensign Peter Eliopoulos and Cadet PO3 Jashwanth Bandlamudi.
The Classic is a major event of the Lone Star Corvette Club, which was founded in 1982 and has over 1,200 members in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Proceeds benefit the Speedway Children’s Charities and The National Corvette Museum.
The Classic was a two-day event. On Friday there is an opportunity for parade laps at one of North Texas’ premier tracks, Eagles Canyon Raceway. On Saturday, the day was full of sun, great cars, and wholesome fun. It started with a car show at the parking lot and ended with dinner, awards, and a live auction.
On April 26, 2024, a little over two years after Colonel Bernard Leo “Bunny” Talley, Jr. (USAF, Retired) left us, he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, a fitting tribute for a remarkable American patriot.
Colonel Bernard Talley’s story is one of faith, courage, and strength in the face of great adversity. Spending 7 years as a POW he never gave up or gave in and continued to stand firm in the faith of his youth as he met the opposition and rallied together with other brave Americans.
Colonel Talley was an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. As was stated in his obituary, Colonel Talley and his fellow 565 POW “returnees” exemplified faith, duty, and an indomitable spirit in the face of incredible adversity which resulted in each of these extraordinary men returning with honor—something their captors never took from them.
The following 5-minute video captures a solemn military tribute featuring the playing of Taps, a seven-gun rifle salute, and the ceremonial folding of an American flag. https://vimeo.com/943345638?share=copy