by larryw | May 24, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Boys and Girls State
Post 178 completed its annual orientation for the 2023 Boys State delegates.
Post 178 Boys State Committee members recently completed its annual orientation for the 22 Boys State delegates who will represent 13 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 86 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 2023 selected young men, Post 178 has sponsored 177 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.
by larryw | May 10, 2023 | American Legion Post 178
The Lake Highlands High School Wildcat Battalion Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) held their 3rd Annual Pass in Review and Award 
Ceremony on May 5, 2023. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Gerald, US Army (Retired), Senior Army Instructor, and Master Sergeant Calvin Washington, US Army (Retired), Army Instructor, invited three American Legion Post 178 Executive Committee officers to present several awards.
Vice Commander Jeffrey Anderson and Post Executive Committee member Larry Wilhelm attended the ceremony and jointly presented awards to two outstanding cadets. The American Legion Peter J Courcy Scholastic Excellence Award was presented to Cadet/CPT Tanya Ventura, Echo Company. Cadet/1LT Emily Anthony, Headquarters, was awarded The American Legion Peter J Courcy Military Excellence Award.
The Lake Highlands High School Wildcat program was established in 2019 and currently has approximately 100 cadets. The program includes numerous 
special teams: Raider Team, Color Guard, Drill & Ceremony, Rifle Team, and Saber Team. The battalion’s mission is “To Motivate Young People to Be Better Citizens.” More than 30 awards were presented during the ceremony which concluded with the longstanding military traditions of a Change of Command and Pass in Review.
by larryw | May 8, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Recognitions
Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Jake N. Tramel accepts the American Legion Military Excellence Medal.
Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Kai J. Schlabach accepts the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal.
The Lebanon Trail High School Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) held their 2nd Annual Awards Banquet on May 2, 2022. Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, invited members of Post 178 to attend to present American Legion excellence medals.
Commander John Stammreich and Adjutant Jose Torres, Sr. presented medals and certificates to two distinguished cadets. Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Jake N. Tramel, Lebanon Trail High School, was awarded the American Legion Military Excellence Medal. Jake will attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy and plans to become a US Naval Aviator. Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Kai J. Schlabach, Reedy High School, was awarded the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal. Kai will attend the University of Arkansas on an Air Force ROTC scholarship and plans to join its cyber warfare program.
The mission of the Cadet Corps is to motivate young people to become better citizens and effective leaders. The teaching goals of both the Cadet Corps 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 in both programs.
Classique Jewelers, an active post supporter, donated medal engraving.
by larryw | May 5, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Community
Photo Caption – (L – R) Post 178 Volunteers Ted Ruybal, Terry Gilbert, Ed Reed, and Larry Wilhelm place ten pipes at Stonebriar Park. Not pictured is Jose Torres, Sr.
Throughout the year, Post 178 volunteers assist the Frisco Sunrise Rotary Club to display the United States Flag in many of our neighborhood to honor our country. The Rotary Club places the 3’ x 5 ‘ United States flags in front yards for six annual holidays and picks them up after each holiday.
Post 178 members locate, bury, and mark the location of 12” PVC pipes in front lawns to hold the flagstaffs. Their efforts provide a fundraising opportunity to support the post’s patriotic programs.
Recently, 5 volunteers worked three consecutive days, driving more than 150 miles to complete more than 50 installations in preparation for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.
If interested in participating, contact Larry Wilhelm at larryw104@gmail.com.
by larryw | Feb 27, 2023 | Community, Press Release
Photo Caption (L -R) Jeff Cheney, Mayor, City of Frisco: Major Gary Billings, Senior Military Science Instructor: Cadet Ensign Jake Tramel (Sr, Lebanon Trail HS): Cadet PO3 Avi Kilaru (So, Lebanon Trail HS): Cadet Ensign Kai Schlabach (Sr, Reedy HS): Cadet PO3 Kimberly Sullivan (So, Lebanon Trail HS): Cadet Ensign Karina Roberts (So, Lebanon Trail HS). Photo by Larry Wilhelm.
The Lebanon Trail HS Navy National Defense Cadet Corps Color Guard was honored to post the Nation’s Colors at the February 21, 2023, Frisco City Council Meeting. Since the Colors are not frequently formally posted at council meetings, it was a special opportunity for the cadets.
The five-member guard posted the United States, Texas State, and City of Frisco flags. Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Military Science Instructor, assisted with pre-ceremony planning.
After the Pledges of Allegiance, Mayor Cheney invited Major Billings and Guard members to join him on the stage. Major Billings then provided a brief overview of the Cadet Corps Program for the audience.
Shortly after the Frisco ISD Cadet Corps program was introduced, American Legion Post 178 began a strong supportive partnership. Post members Larry Wilhelm and Ed Reed assisted with event coordination. Special thanks to Holly McCall, Sr. Administrative Assistant to the City of Frisco Mayor and Council, for scheduling arrangements.
by larryw | Feb 24, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Press Release
Photo Caption (R – L) Commander John Strammreich presented the Post 178 donation to Major Gary Billings, Senior Naval Science Instructor, with support from Cadet LTJG Charlotte Gallen (Sr. Wakeland HS), Cadet ENS Jake Tramel (Sr, Lebanon Trail HS), Cadet ENS Kai Schlabach (Sr, Reedy HS), Cadet Chief Joshua Dawson (Jr, Reedy HS), and Anchor Club President, Mrs. Jennifer Tramel. 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 February Membership Meeting. The four cadets represented the key officer and enlisted positions of the Cadet Corps.
Major Billings, who provided a similar program overview in 2022, shared details of the 2022-23 program, including 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 the third consecutive year, the number of cadets participating in the program is expected to increase, with next year over 100 cadets expected to participate.
Post Commander John Stammreich presented a $1,000 donation to Major Billings and the Anchor Club booster to support the Corps’ current programs and planned activities. Commander John Stammreich said “Post 178 is honored to partner with the Cadet Corps and Anchor Club to support the Frisco ISD women and men cadets.”
