City of Frisco Honors Its Purple Heart Veterans

City of Frisco Honors Its Purple Heart Veterans

by | Aug 9, 2023 | Events

Photo Caption: Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney proclaimed August 8, 2023, as “Purple Heart Day.”

The Frisco Veterans Advisory Committee recently held the annual Mayor’s Purple Heart Social to recognize and honor Frisco veterans who were Purple Heart recipients. Many organizations attended the celebration including Peter J Courcy Post 178.

Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney and city council members Tammy Meinershagen and Laura Rummel attended the event. Mayor Cheney read a proclamation signifying August 8, 2023, as “Purple Heart Day.” Fifteen veterans received a certificate from Mayor Chaney commemorating their service.

The City of Frisco is a “Purple Heart City” that supports all six thousand veterans that reside there. Post 178 became a “Purple Heart Post” in May 2021. Post 178 estimates that more than 20 of its 450 members have been awarded the medal.

The Post 178 namesake, Peter J. Courcy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, was awarded the medal posthumously.  The post has several members who are multiple recipients of the medal.

70th Anniversary of Korean War Armistice

70th Anniversary of Korean War Armistice

by | Jul 26, 2023 | American Legion Post 178

July 27, 2023, marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice ending Korean War hostilities. The era ran from June 25, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1955; Congress extended the period due to the uneasy peace negotiations after the armistice was signed in 1953. Unlike many other wars, the Korean War fostered many names. It is often called the “Forgotten War,” or a “police action.” Sandwiched between World War II and the Vietnam War, it is often overlooked.

During the Korean War nearly 5 million people perished. More than half of the casualties were civilians, about 10 percent of the population. This rate of casualties was higher than World War II and the Vietnam War.
• 6.8 million American men and women served from June 27, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1955.
• 54,200 Americans died in service during the hostilities that ended on July 27, 1953. Of these, 33,700 were battle deaths.
• There were 7,140 POWs during the war. Of these, 4,418 were returned to the United States, 2,701 died and 21 refused repatriations.
• There have been 131 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor among Korean War veterans.

Post 178 thanks its twenty-nine Korean War era veterans and all those who served during it.

Agent Orange Awareness Day

Agent Orange Awareness Day

by | Jul 21, 2023 | American Legion Post 178

Agent Orange Awareness Day marks the first day the substance was used in Vietnam and surrounding countries, and it is meant to pay tribute to those who were exposed to this deadly compound. The day is an annual observation designed to raise awareness of the effects of the herbicide used by American forces to defoliate future and current battlegrounds with the purpose of depriving the enemy ground cover to hide in.

Agent Orange is responsible for a wide range of adverse effects in human beings and the Department of Veterans Affairs lists Agent Orange exposure or potential exposure as a presumptive condition, meaning that those who report exposure and have certain medical conditions are presumed to have those medical issues as a result of military service and most likely have those conditions due to the exposure.

The use of Agent Orange was originally authorized by President John F. Kennedy and Air Force planes began flying missions to disburse Agent Orange as part of something known as Operation Trail Dust.

Millions of gallons of Agent Orange were used which contained an incredibly toxic substance known as dioxin. Dioxin is responsible for cancer, birth defects, and other symptoms.

Veterans and family members concerned about Agent Orange exposure, long-term effects from it, and birth defect issues are urged to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to schedule an appointment for an Agent Orange Registry health exam.

American Legion Post 178 Elects New Officers

American Legion Post 178 Elects New Officers

by | Jul 19, 2023 | American Legion Post 178

(R – L)  Members of 2023-2024 Post 178 Executive Committee include Fred Rogers, Terry Gilbert, Jose Torres, Ed Reed, Terry Meyering, Ron Bercher, Larry Wilhelm, and Thor Anderson. Not pictured are Joanne Schumm, John Brady, and John Stammreich.

Since Post 178 was chartered in 2014, membership has grown to more than 450 members, many of which reside throughout Denton County.

Dedicated to caring for veterans, servicemembers, and their families, the post also sponsors programs that mentor community youth, provide temporary financial assistance, emergency aid for disasters, and educational scholarships. It helps veterans with their VA benefits and provides volunteer services at assisted living and senior centers. Its veteran volunteers are dedicated to community service.

In 2023, the post sent 20 delegates to Texas Boys State. Since 2014, 177 Statesmen have completed our award- winning program. Our Oratorical contests have produced college scholarship winners at the post, district, division, state, and national competitions. For the ninth consecutive year, the post has participated in the Wreaths Across America program at the DFW National Cemetery to remember the fallen. In 2022, the post established a supportive partnership with the Frisco ISD Navy National Defense Cadet Corps program to provide growth opportunities.

The post also participates in the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Its Color Guard/Honor Guard posts The Colors in many local events as well.

In June, post executive committee members were elected for 2023-2024. The committee formally meets monthly to coordinate and direct the programs and volunteer efforts of the post. Ed Reed, Post Commander, said “The committee’s leadership will enable Post 178 to complete another successful year.”