Mission
Dedicated to the principles of patriotic allegiance to the United States of America, fidelity to its Constitution and laws, the security of civil liberty, and the perpetuation of free institutions.
The American Legion, Peter J Courcy Post 178 – Frisco, Texas
The Post is named in honor of Army Cpl. Peter J. Courcy, a Frisco High School graduate who in 2009 was killed in action by an IED while serving in Afghanistan.
The strength of a Post is measured by the results of the services actually provided to the community — not simply participating or engaging in activities with hope the desired outcomes will produce successful achievements. Less than five years from being chartered, the Frisco American Legion Post 178 and its more than 525 members have already distinguished themselves by executing on specific, documented action plans that produced real achievements for the community.
The American Legion Post 178 is a non-profit 501 (c)(19) qualified tax-deductible veteran organization. Your tax-deductible donation will enable our post to provide continued care for our veterans, wounded service members, their families, and sponsor multiple activities that mentor youth in our community.
Recognition Examples for American Legion, Peter J Courcy Post 178
- In 2020, a Proclamation for Significant Contributions to the City of Frisco from the Frisco City Council.
- In 2019, a Proclamation for Outstanding Service to our Communities from the Texas House of Representatives.
- In 2019, for the fourth year in a row, the Texas Post Excellence Award.
- In 2018, for the third year in a row, American Legion Post 178 was awarded one of only three Texas national “Post Excellence” awards, out of an eligible 480 posts across the state.
- A National Post Excellence recognition was given to Post 178 in 2018 by recognizing the activities and sustained results of Post 178 in service to the community. The American Legion nationwide has over 12,000 posts.
- Membership growth year-on-year has been 35%, but more importantly the retention rate is 90%
About The American Legion
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
The American Legion is the nation’s largest and most powerful organization of U.S. wartime veterans and their families. Today, it counts nearly 2 million members who operate through more than 12,000 posts across the United States and beyond.
Since its inception by Congress in 1919, The American Legion has delivered substantial improvements for veterans, families and communities, such as:
- The Legion ushered in the modern VA.
- The Legion drafted and drove home passage of the GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
- The Legion has brought into existence dozens of health-care benefits for veterans and programs designed to provide civilian careers after discharge.
The Legion works every day on behalf of U.S. servicemen and women. It is a recognized as a leader in transition assistance from military to civilian life, providing resources for careers, education, child care and more.
The Legion is active every day. Examples include:
- VA volunteers: Millions of community service hours are logged by VA-trained volunteers, and more than $1.5 million is raised annually to assist VA hospitals in local communities.
- Charities: The Legion’s robust fundraising program collects donations and turns them into grants for disaster victims, sports adaptive therapy equipment for wounded service members and scholarships for children of military members who died since 9/11.
For those looking to make an impact in local communities, The American Legion has endless opportunities.
The Legion’s services can be classified under the organization’s four pillars:
Pillar I: Veterans
The American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation pillar is composed of programs, services and advocacy efforts that improve the lives of those who served, along with their families and dependents.
The Legion advocates on Capitol Hill for a well-funded, appropriately staffed VA that can handle benefits claims efficiently, quickly and accurately. Locally, Legion volunteers work individually with veterans to help them navigate the complicated benefits application process.
As the VA backlog continues, The American Legion is leading a national conversation about accountability to veterans and reforms aimed at veterans receiving timely appointments and the benefits they earned throughout their service.
The Legion conducts System Worth Saving visits to VA centers across the country. These monthly visits include a thorough assessment of the facility, and discussions with patients and staff at VA. This information is then compiled and published in a report.
The Legion works one-on-one with veterans to ensure they receive proper benefits. Accredited American Legion service officers are specially trained to provide free expert assistance to veterans and their families.
The majority of service officer work involves claims for VA disability benefits, but these compassionate professionals also provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits and other topics.
American Legion service officers provide free assistance to any veterans who need help with their VA claims. Find a service officer near you by searching at www.legion.org/serviceofficers
Pillar II: National Security
The American Legion’s positions on national defense, homeland security, border control and military support are all part of the long-held Legion value that the key to peace and world stability is a strong, well-resourced defense.
In order to protect America, troops and their families must have support. The American Legion plays a vital role in supporting the men and women who risk their lives to protect our freedoms.
American Legion posts throughout the nation adopt military units, deliver care packages, provide emotional support for families of deployed service members and welcome the troops home.
Specific examples of their efforts include arranging transportation to reunite soldiers with their families for the holidays and organizing fundraisers to buy phone cards for use in combat zones.
Such assistance doesn’t end when service members return home.
At U.S. military installations across the country – including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, and Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington – Legion staff members help troops work through the medical discharge process and provide representation before medical examination boards to reconcile disability ratings.
Pillar III: Americanism
For those looking to make differences in their local communities, The American Legion is a great place to start. From Legion Baseball to Boys State/Boys Nation to the Oratorical Contest, there are plenty of opportunities to make your mark.
Take, for example, the experience of Pat Unger, commander of Tyler Cates American Legion Post 281 in Mount Juliet, Tennessee Unger’s vision of creating a Legion Baseball team came true.
Post 281 Legionnaires provided support by supplying uniforms, attending games, serving refreshments and meeting players’ transportation needs to and from games.
“The enthusiasm and camaraderie among the Legion members and players has been one of the most rewarding experiences for everyone,” Unger says. “The experience of going to a baseball game and knowing that The American Legion is a driving force behind the teams is both gratifying and satisfying.
“American Legion Baseball is truly a rewarding and fun endeavor for any American Legion post to be involved with.”
Legion posts and volunteers like Unger coordinate each season, culminating with the Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C., watched by millions on ESPNU and ESPN3.
More than 100,000 young athletes compete for nearly 5,000 American Legion Baseball teams each year. Some of these baseball players go on to play professionally, including more than 75 who have been enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
www.legion.org/baseball
Pillar IV: Children & Youth
The American Legion’s Children & Youth pillar is guided by three main objectives: strengthen the family unit, support organizations that help children in need, and provide communities with well-rounded programs to provide hope and opportunity for young people facing difficult challenges.
One program within this pillar is Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA). This program is specifically designed to assist minor children of eligible active-duty service members or eligible American Legion members through cash grants, which contribute to a stable home environment. These grants help families meet the costs of shelter, utilities, food and medical expenses. The Legion provides more than $500,000 to help these families each year. http://www.legion.org/tfa
FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK
This program connects American Legion members with families struggling at home when loved ones are called to military duty. Legion volunteers provide child-care services, yard work, car repairs or other forms of personal help. A dedicated hotline – 800-504-4098 – is available for families looking for assistance. www.legion.org/familysupport
CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION
Nonprofit organizations that reach out to help young people in need are supported through American Legion Child Welfare Foundation grants. The foundation provides grants to enhance communications for groups that tackle problems ranging from childhood neglect to substance abuse. www.legion.org/cwf
Preamble to the Constitution
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER
FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
To maintain law and order;
To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars;
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;
To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
To make right the master of might;
To promote peace and goodwill on earth;
To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy;
To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.