by larryw | Nov 23, 2023 | American Legion Post 178
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday that occurs on Thursday, November 25, 2023. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It was not until 1863, during the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance; instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. Turkey, a Thanksgiving staple so ubiquitous it has become all but synonymous with the holiday, may or may not have been on offer when the Pilgrims hosted the inaugural feast in 1621.
Today, however, 90 percent of Americans eat the bird—whether roasted, baked, or deep-fried—on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation. Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate.
Post 178 wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
by larryw | Nov 21, 2023 | American Legion Post 178
Dallas – Fort Worth National Cemetery so far has 25,163 wreaths sponsored. The goal is 54,500 wreaths for full coverage.
If you would like to sponsor wreaths, they are only $17 each. Go to: http://www.honordfw.com/ (Chris and Mary Bush Fundraising Page) and click the donate button. When the form comes up click the number of wreaths you’d like to donate. Of course, one is popular. But 5 wreaths ($85) and 10 wreaths ($170) are popular donations. After the transaction you will receive an email with a receipt for tax purposes. These wreaths are tax deductible.
You have until November 27th to order our wreaths in order for them to reach DFW by December 15th.
by larryw | Nov 18, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Recognitions
(L-R) Laura Mealey, Community Outreach Liaison, Dr. Mike Waldrip, Superintendent, Frisco ISD, and Denette Davis, President, Frisco ISD Board of Trustees, present the Partners in Education certificate to Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander.
At the November 13, 2023, Frisco ISD Board of Trustees meeting, President Dynette Davis and Dr. Mike Waldrip, Superintendent, Frisco ISD, presented a recognition certificate to American Legion Post 178 for their support, dedication, and service to the students and staff of the Frisco Independent School District.
Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander, accepted the certificate on behalf of its Post Executive Committee and its more than 350 members. As part of its Partners in Education program, Frisco ISD recognized that the American Legion youth programs, such as Boys State, Girls State, Oratorical Scholarship Contest, Scouting, and Voter Registration, complement youth education by developing lifelong skills.
by larryw | Nov 15, 2023 | Community
DAV and Recruit Military will present an in-person job fair for all veterans in the Dallas, TX area on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 11AM to 3PM at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX 76011.
- Connect directly with employers from various industries.
- Fast turn-around time from interview to hiring.
- Fast & easy way to learn about jobs open NOW for the military community.
This is a hiring event exclusively for U.S. military veterans. This includes:
- Personnel who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life
- Veterans who already have civilian work experience
- Members of the National Guard and Reserves, and their spouses
Register and learn more here: https://rmvets.com/3CvnKow
by larryw | Nov 13, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Community, Holiday, Troop 178

The Frisco Community Parade was held on November 11 to mark Veterans Day and to celebrate community pride. The theme was Stars, Stripes, and Service. The Grand Marshall was Peter Burns, U.S. Army, Retired, and 2019 Distinguished Veteran of the Year.
The parade, which was originally a homecoming parade when Frisco was home to one high school, featured floats, school marching bands, high school football teams, cheerleaders, scouts, civic organizations, youth sports teams, Frisco-based professional sports teams, and local businesses.
Post 178’s entry consisted of the only tractor of the ninety-nine entries in this year’s parade. Both members and Pack 178 scouts rode on the trailer. Troop 178 scouts carried the post banner.
The Frisco Community Parade is a collaboration between the City of Frisco, Frisco Independent School District, Frisco Chamber of Commerce, and the Frisco Veterans Advisory Committee.
Special thanks go to Six & Mango Equipment for providing the Kubota tractor to pull the post’s trailer.
by larryw | Nov 12, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Community, Events
Mayor Pro Tem John Keating, Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Post 178 Commander Ed Reed, Terry Gilbert, Post 178 Vice Commander-Programs
Despite unfavorable weather, veterans and their families joined other citizens on Friday, November 10 at the Frisco Veterans Memorial to celebrate Veterans Day.
Terry Gilbert, Post 178 Vice Commander-Programs and U.S. Air Force veteran was emcee. Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander and U.S. Air Force veteran, welcomed attendees to the ceremony. Mayor Pro Tem John Keating, a U.S. Army veteran, shared insights about service and dedication to our country.
Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, was the ceremony’s special guest speaker. He is the Senior Military Science Instructor at the Frisco ISD JROTC Navy National Defense Cadet Program. He shared comments about the history of Veterans Day and offered confidence that the country’s youth is being well prepared to continue the strong defense of our country and democracy.
The Post 178 Color Guard, led by Captain Bill Drake, and cadets from the Cadet Program presented the Colors. Leslie Rainey sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.” Chaplain Pam Break, Auxiliary Unit 178, provided the invocation and benediction.
A special thanks goes to the City of Frisco, its Parks and Recreation and Communications Departments.