Today, American Legion Post 178, celebrates all women who have served in the United States armed forces. We honor their service on this the 76th anniversary since June 12 in 1948, when President Harry Truman signed into law the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act allowing women to serve as regular members of the military.
We will always remember and never forget the sacrifices and valor exhibited by our armed forces on that infamous day, June 6, 1944. Every 5 years many heads of state and Veterans of the battle return to Normandy, France to commemorate D-Day but event organizers and government officials concede that this year’s event could be the last to involve living veterans, whose stories of the horrors of war bring a poignant reminder to the human cost of freedom. On this 80th anniversary, various countries putting together the event are now planning what is expected to be the most extensive D-Day commemoration in history – both in terms of size and, crucially for elderly veterans, logistics.
Approximately 150 American veterans are expected to travel to Normandy – about two dozen of whom actually fought on D-Day – said Charles Djou, the secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), the independent agency responsible for managing US military cemeteries and monuments overseas. The youngest is 96.
What we commemorate: On D-Day Allied Forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. The invasion is significant in history for the role it played in World War II. During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control.
Code named Operation Overlord, the battle began when 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes, and 156,000 American, British, and Canadian servicemen landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. When it was over, the Allied Forces had suffered 10,000 casualties; more than 4,000 were dead. Yet somehow, due to planning and preparation, and due to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Forces, Fortress Europe had been breached.
The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. Prior to D-Day, the Allies conducted a large-scale deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. By late August 1944, all northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
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.