by larryw | Mar 25, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
(L-R) Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, Cadet Lieutenant Abhigna Yella, Company Commander, Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Lucas Antonelli, Command Master Chief, Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Karina Roberts, Operations Officer, and Cadet Ensign Dan Sahaya, Logistics Officer, provide a unit summary to Post 178 veterans. Photo by John Brady.
Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, along with four cadets from the Lebanon Trail Navy National Defense Cadet Corps, were special guests at the Post 178 March Membership Meeting. The four cadets represented the key officer and enlisted positions of the Cadet Corps and shared a presentation about the activities of their area of responsibility.
Major Billings and the cadets annually provide a “State of the Corps” presentation that includes details of the current program’s enrollment, goals, activities, and competitions. Major Billings said, “The program strives to instill ideals of leadership, character, honor, and service…the same ideals supported by the American Legion youth programs.” He also shared that awareness of the Cadet Corps has improved significantly since its inception in 2020. For its third year, the number of cadets participating in the program increased from 72 to 107 cadets.
After their presentation, Post 178 Commander Ed Reed presented a $1,000 donation to Major Billings and the Anchor Club Booster Club to support the Corps’ current programs and planned activities. Commander Reed said, “Post 178 is honored to have such a positive partnership with the Cadet Corps that provides leadership opportunities for Frisco ISD women and men young adults.”
Post 178 Commander Ed Reed presents a donation to Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, along with Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Lucas Antonelli and Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Karina Roberts.
by larryw | Mar 25, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
(R-L) Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander, presents Post 178 member David Break certificates of appreciation from national headquarters and Post 178.
A 50-year anniversary is a milestone for anyone. It is particularly significant when it involves membership to the American Legion.
David Break, a Post 178 Army veteran, recently celebrated 50-years continuous membership. Not surprisingly, he owns one of the longest membership tenures of the more than 435 members of Post 178.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1963 and served during the Vietnam War. He has been a Post 178 member for the past eight years since transferring from the Fair Lawn New Jersey Post 171 in 2016. He joined the Legion in 1974 during his late twenties.
(R-L) Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander, presents Post 178 member David Break his American Legion 50-year continuous membership pin.
Since transferring, David was the post’s Sergeant at Arms and assisted with voter registration efforts. When asked why he became a member and renewed all those years, he replied “I was proud of my military service and maintaining my membership enabled me to share fellowship with other veterans.”
by larryw | Mar 23, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
On March 25, 2024, we honor our distinguished service men who collectively embody the values that we as a country strive to uphold – courage, bravery and the desire and dedication to what is right in the midst of life’s most difficult circumstances.
National Medal of Honor Day was established by Congress as National Medal of Honor Day to “foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor recipients.” There are over 3,511 recipients who have received the Medal of Honor since the Civil War.
Listen to Medal of Honor stories conducted by The American Legion. https://www.legion.org/medalofhonor
by larryw | Mar 22, 2024 | American Legion Post 178, Community
Curator Mark Witham (second from the left) escorted Larry Wilhelm, Terry Gilbert, and Ed Reed for a two-hour tour of the collection.
The Military Heritage Collection of North Texas is located Just a few miles southeast of Nevada, Texas (2021 population 1,331). Its multitude of military treasures are housed in numerous buildings at 20798 County Road 590, Nevada, TX 75173.
The collection includes an array of military vehicles, many of which operate, including troop carriers, tanks, Humvees, and motorcycles. Also included is a diverse collection of military uniforms spanning from WWI to the current day and an extensive collection of original artworks from many notable artists.
The collection curator, Mark Witham, oversees collections by managing the acquisition, preservation, and display of the artifacts. Mark began the collection more than ten years ago through various means, including government surplus purchases, contributions from contacts throughout the world, and simply donations through word of mouth.
For more information regarding tours and hours of operations, visit https://militaryheritagecollection.org.
by larryw | Mar 20, 2024 | Community
THE WALL THAT HEALS FRISCO
May 1 – 5
Grand Park
7275 Dallas Pkwy
Frisco, TX 75034
(SW Corner North Tollway & Cotton Gin Rd)
Please help welcome The Wall That Heals to Frisco by volunteering to honor all who have served.
Set-up is April 30, from 2:00pm – 8:00pm and Take-down is on May 5, from 2:00pm – 8:00pm.
Volunteer training will take place on Wednesday, May 1 at 6 PM. Attendance is strongly encouraged. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your shift start time. All volunteers must be prepared for weather conditions. This event will take place RAIN or SHINE.
This exhibit is open 24 hours. Please use the link below to CAREFULLY review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0449A9AB2CA2FB6-48593714-thewall#/
by larryw | Mar 20, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
Photo Caption: Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney recites proclamation to Vietnam War veterans.
American Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 2783 Vietnam veterans received a standing ovation at the March 19, 2024, Frisco City Council Meeting as Mayor Jeff Chaney cited a proclamation.
The proclamation honored the service and sacrifices of US Armed Forces personnel who were on active duty regardless of location from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. More than 9 million Americans served during that time, as well as, 2.7 million in Vietnam. More than 58,000 names are memorialized on a black granite wall in our Nation’s capital. 304,000 were wounded. 1,253 are Missing in Action (MIA), and 2,500 were Prisoners of War (POW).
Mayor Cheney declared that those who served their country deserved the heartfelt acknowledgment and profound gratitude of their countrymen. He urged all citizens to thank and honor all Vietnam veterans and their families who served their country faithfully and courageously and to show a generation of veterans the respect and support of a grateful nation.
Post 178 officers attending included Bill Drake, Terry Gilbert, Larry Wilhelm, Joanne Schumm, and Ed Reed.
More than 55% of the 425 members of the American Legion Post 178 are Vietnam War veterans.
