by admin | Nov 24, 2014 | Press Release
Chris Bush of Frisco learned about patriotism from his son.
U.S. Army Cpl. Peter John Courcy was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on Feb. 10, 2009. The 22-year-old’s Frisco High School graduate’s return home in a casket was the saddest day in Bush’s life. But it also stirred something more.
“I was never more proud to be an American that day,” Bush said.
One of the ways that he carries on Courcy’s legacy is through the Wreaths Across America program, which aims to place a wreath on the gravesite of every veteran during the holidays. People can sponsor a wreath at a participating veterans cemetery or through a specific fundraising group. Each sponsored wreath costs $15.
Bush said he believes in the program’s mission: to remember the fallen, to honor those who serve and to teach children about the sacrifices that veterans and their families have made to preserve this country’s freedoms.
It’s what Bush teaches his younger son. Five-year-old Luke never got to meet his older brother. But in a few weeks he and his parents will walk to Section 76 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery where Courcy is laid to rest.
“We want to take him out to the cemetery and show him that people appreciate his brother’s sacrifice and that people care about the service that he gave,” Bush said.
In 2008, fewer than 50 wreaths were donated to D-FW National Cemetery for the program. Bush and his wife, Mary, learned about the program after Courcy’s death and have been spreading the word ever since. Last year, there were a record 11,300 wreaths for gravesites at the D-FW National Cemetery. The goal this year is to exceed that number.
The Rotary Club of Frisco and American Legion’s Bill Bryan Post No. 110 in McKinney have also joined in to spread the word and get more wreaths donated to D-FW National Cemetery.
The deadline to order is Dec. 1. The wreaths will arrive at the cemetery by the truckload from drivers who donate their time to the cause.
A ceremony is planned at 10:50 a.m. Dec. 13 at D-FW National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day. This year’s guest speaker is Maj. Gen. Keith Lee Thurgood. After a brief ceremony, everyone who attends will get to help place the holiday wreaths among the more than 44,000 gravesites.
More than 900 similar ceremonies are planned at the same time across the country. This year’s ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where the wreath program started in 1992, will also honor the cemetery’s 150th anniversary.
Carol Miller of Grand Prairie helped place wreaths at D-FW National Cemetery for the first time last year. She’s recruiting more family, friends and co-workers to join her this year.
“It’s a very moving experience,” said Miller, whose son spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“I definitely have a lot of appreciation for the sacrifices that families make,” Miller said. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to send a kid over there, and they don’t come home.”
Don Roush is also participating for the second year in a row. He’s part of American Legion’s Bill Bryan Post No. 110 in McKinney.
The U.S. Army veteran served 12 years, three of them in Vietnam. He plans to take his 8-year-old grandson to this year’s ceremony in Dallas.
“We’re inviting the families and the children to walk out there and actually carry the wreaths and place them on [gravesites] and read the stone and see who’s there,” he said.
“It’s really touching to see that,” he said.
How to help
To learn more about the national program and its history, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org
Chris and Mary Bush are accepting wreath orders at www.HonorDFW.org. For every two wreaths ordered, a third wreath will be sent.
The Rotary Club of Frisco is accepting wreath orders at tinyurl.com/rotarydonation. A portion of the sales at this link supports the Rotary Club’s college scholarship awards to Frisco students.
The American Legion’s Bill Bryan Post No. 110 in McKinney is accepting wreath orders at www.mcklegion110.org.
The National Wreaths Across American Day ceremony is at 10:50 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway in Dallas.
Original article
by admin | Oct 1, 2014 | Press Release
It has been a long road home for United States Marine Corporal Brian Aft, who in April, 2011, lost both legs to an enemy improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol in Afghanistan. Brian, along with his bomb dog “Buckshot”, survived the horrifying ordeal and now live together as retired veterans of the United States Marine Corps.
On September 5, 2014, McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller, along with an outpouring of McKinney citizens, welcomed Brian home to McKinney at the ground-breaking dedication of his new home that is being built for him by Smiles Charity.
Smiles Charity, headed by local Orthodontist, Dr. Jennifer Buchannan, has supported our wounded veterans of the War on Terror for a number of years by raising money through community fund-raising benefit concerts. In the past, Smiles Charity has partnered with other sponsoring organizations to build homes, but in Brian’s case Smiles Charity is sponsoring the home-building effort through the generosity of businesses and the citizens of McKinney and North Texas.
In addition to numerous sponsors and an outpouring of citizens attending this event, American Legion Department of Texas Vice Commander Fred Rogers and Peter J Courcy Post 178 Adjutant said, “Smiles Charity is a great example of a well-organized grassroots organization that works together as a team whose efforts make a significant difference in our world. Today is a great reminder of our responsibility as citizens to help care for our military forces that have given so much to protect our freedoms.”
Accompanying Fred Rogers was Jim Meiseman, commander of local “Bill Bryan” Post 110 from McKinney. With the ground breaking complete and the foundation poured, all things are on track to have Brian and Buckshot move into their new home before the end of the year. Welcome home, Brian, welcome home. Brian is a member of the new Frisco American Legion Post 178.
Left to right, Local American Legion “Bill Bryan” Post Commander Jim Meiseman, Brian Aft home recipient, and American Legion Department of Texas Vice Commander and Peter J Courcy Post 178 Adjutant Fred Rogers, welcome Brian Aft home at the ground breaking ceremony for his new home in McKinney, Texas.
American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 is a 501(c)19 nonprofit charitable organization. For information on membership, community programs or to donate contact Phyllis Sutton, Public Relations Chairperson (972) 567-8951 or email SuttonPA@gmail.com
by admin | Jun 11, 2014 | Boys and Girls State, Press Release
Freddie Kratz, a junior at New Hampton Prep School in New Hampton, NH, and a resident of Frisco, TX, has been selected to attend two prestigious summer programs in June: Texas Boys State and the West Point Summer Leadership Seminar. Freddie and six other finalists will represent the City of Frisco and the Peter J. Courcy American Legion Post 178 in Frisco and join over 950 delegates from around the state for this week long program at the University of Texas, Austin.
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each student becomes a part of the operation of his local, county, and state government. At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities, of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical, with city, county, and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. The week long course includes running for an elected office, setting political platforms, speeches from dignitaries and state government leaders, a tour of the state capital and conducting runoffs in the election process.
Freddie will then travel to NY and be among 1,000 attendees at West Point’s prestigious Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) in June. More than 5,000 juniors nationwide applied to SLE, which offers outstanding high school juniors the opportunity to experience life at West Point.
SLE attendees live in the cadet barracks (dormitories), eat in the Cadet Mess, and participate in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops. The one week seminars are designed to help juniors with their college-selection process, while giving them an idea of the importance of leadership and sound decision-making in their education, careers, and lives, in general. All SLE attendees participate in virtual-reality war simulation, and military and physical fitness training, and, in addition, each student selects three of the 15 offered workshops.
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federally funded undergraduate college located 50 miles north of New York City. A preeminent leader development institution, West Point was founded in 1802 as America’s first college of engineering. Since then, West Point has grown in size and stature, but remains committed to the task of producing commissioned leaders of character for America’s Army.
UPDATE JULY 10th:
Frisco Student, Freddie Kratz, Heads to American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C.
One of 98 high school student representatives throughout the U.S. chosen to attend The American Legion Boys Nation at Marymount University, Arlington, VA, with daily trips to Washington, D.C.. He is one of two delegates selected from the state-based on leadership skills, academic record and activity at American Legion Boys State. From July 18-25, the week-long program introduces the senators to the structure and function of the federal government while combining lectures and forums with visitations to federal agencies, institutions, memorials and historical spots in and around Washington, D.C.
These young men are the future of politics in the United States. This program is designed to inspire a strong devotion to America while providing a practical view of federal government procedures. Many of the current great leaders of our country are Boys Nation Alumni.
The American Legion Boys Nation program provides a week of government training in Washington, D.C, comprised of lectures and forums with visits to federal agencies, institutions, memorials and historical sites. Valuable experience of the political process is gained through the organization of party conventions, the introduction and debate on bills and resolutions, and the election of an American Legion Boys Nation President and Vice President.
Each American Legion Boys Nation delegate represents his home state as a “Senator.” The “Senators” caucus at the beginning of the session and organize into committees and conduct hearings on bills, allowing delegates to learn the proper methods and regulations followed by the U.S. Senate. In addition, federal legislators, representatives of national distinction, traditionally including the President of the United States, participate in the activities at The American Legion Boys Nation Program. Former graduates of the program include former U.S. President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Max Baucus, MT.
Original article
by admin | Jun 3, 2014 | Boys and Girls State, Press Release
American Legion Post 178 chose the finalists who will attend the 2014 Texas Boys State Program at the University of Texas in Austin in June.
The finalists, who were nominated by their high school counselors, will spend a week learning how their state, county and city governments operate.
They are Freddie Kratz, Frisco resident; Ethan Frie and Miles O’Neal from Heritage High School; Regan Railey from Frisco High School; Sam Michelich from Wakeland High School; and Steven Kosanke and Andrew Vandersand from Centennial High School.
More information on the Boys State program.
Original article
by admin | Dec 17, 2013 | Membership, Press Release
Veterans and active-duty personnel from all U.S. military branches are invited to a meeting of the new American Legion Post 178.
The meeting will be from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Frisco Senior Center, 6670 Moore St.
The post will focus on community service and assistance to veterans.
For information on membership or veterans benefits, contact Fred Rogers, 4th District adjutant.
Original article
by admin | Dec 11, 2013 | Events, Press Release
Active duty and honorably discharged veterans of all branches of the US Military in Frisco and surrounding area have an opportunity to join a partnership that will increase community service in the area.
The American Legion, the nation’s largest veteran’s organization with more than 2.3 million members, is inviting active duty and veterans to join them for an informative meet and greet on Dec. 17 from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. at the Frisco Senior Center, 6670 Moore Street, according to a press release.
Frisco Post 178 will focus on community service and assistance to veterans in keeping with the 95-year tradition of The American Legion. The scope and nature of the post’s community service will be determined by its members and inputs from local civic and community officials.
David Harvey, 4th District commander, said in a press release service is what The American Legion is all about.
“We exist to help each and every veteran, their families and the communities they live in,” he said. “The Frisco area is an ideal place to strengthen partnerships with the veterans and the community. The people here care about their community and practice good citizenship every day. Now, veterans have a special place from which they can make a difference.”
Since its inception in 1919, The American Legion has been an outspoken advocate for veterans’ benefits, children, American values, a strong national defense and quality-of-life issues for those serving in the armed forces, according to the release.
For information on membership or veterans benefits, contact 4th District Adjutant Fred Rogers at 972-977-9342 or email frrtx@icloud.com
