by larryw | Apr 1, 2022 | Boys and Girls State, Press Release
Texas Boy State delegate interviews were recently completed over three weeks by an eight-member veteran committee. The high school principals, counselors, and teachers nominated high school junior students from each of their respective schools.
In-person interviews were conducted over three weeks in March at the high schools. Fourteen outstanding high school juniors were selected to attend the 2022 Texas Boys State program from June 12 through June 17, 2022, at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas.
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 2022 selected young men, Post 178 has sponsored 155 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 | Mar 29, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
American Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 8273 Honor Guard
A Celebration of Life service was recently held for Colonel Bernard L. Talley, Jr. (USAF, Retired) who was a Post 178 life member. He was a Prisoner of War for 6 1/2 years during the Vietnam War. His military awards included two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Star medals, six Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, and the POW medal.
Post 178 members actively participated in honoring Colonel Talley. On the day preceding his service, members placed more than 50 United States flags at the service location, Additionally, the Joint American Legion and VFW color guard presented the Nation’s colors.
Final interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a future date,
Post 178 was honored to participate in the Celebration of Life for Colonel Talley.
by larryw | Mar 29, 2022 | Anniversary
Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families and is part of a national effort to recognize the men and women who were denied a proper welcome upon returning home more than 40 years ago.
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, which was signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It is not an official holiday. Most states celebrate “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” on March 29 or 30 of each year. Though there is some debate, March 29 is generally viewed as a more appropriate date. On that day in 1973, the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived on American soil.
Lasting from 1955 to 1975, the Vietnam war engulfed the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam, as well as its neighboring countries, Cambodia and Laos. It resulted in several million deaths, most of whom were Vietnamese civilians. The conflict began during the 1950s when the struggle between the country’s communist northern part and the anti-communist south escalated. The United States began its military involvement to back the South’s effort to quell the communist onslaught, which, at the height of the Cold War, was feared to promote the spread of communist ideology and influence worldwide. During the war, about 500,000 US troops were dispatched to Southeast Asia, about 58,000 of whom were killed. The conflict ended in 1975 with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam.
More than 350 members of American Legion Post 178 are Vietnam veterans.
by larryw | Mar 27, 2022 | Air Force, Memorial
Colonel Bernard L. Talley, USAF (Retired)
2/23/1939 – 2/21/2022
American Legion Post 178 Life Member
Click Here for Obituary
Celebration of Life Service
Monday, March 28, 2022
2 – 4 PM
Verona Villa
6591 Dallas Parkway
Frisco, TX 75034
3:30PM “Missing Man Formation”
T – 38 Flyover
MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
by larryw | Mar 25, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
National Medal of Honor Day on March 25th recognizes all Medal of Honor recipients.
On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented the first Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of the “Andrews Raiders” for their volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of 1862.
Created in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor. It is awarded only to US military personnel by the President of the United States in the name of Congress for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: one for the Army, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version.
Since its creation, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coastguardsmen.
Two Medal of Honor recipients are interred at the DFW National Cemetery: Candelario Garcia, (1944-2013) for action in the Vietnam War, and James L. Stone (1922-2012) for action in the Korea War.
by larryw | Mar 21, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
(L-R) Ed Reed, Vice Commander-Public Relations, Fred Rogers, Past Commander, Major Gary Billings, USMC (Retired), Senior Naval Science Instructor, Delbert Parson, Post 178 Commander.
The recently established Lebanon Trail High School Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) program and the Post 178 Americanism programs share common missions. The mission of the Cadet Corps is to motivate young people to become better citizens and effective leaders.
Post 178 Americanism programs, Boys State, Oratorical Scholarship Contest, School Awards, and Scouting, have an identical mission. The teaching goals of both programs are focused on leadership, teamwork, personal responsibility, a sense of accomplishment, and service to the nation. Both programs also highlight American values and patriotism.
Gary R. Billings, Major, USMC (Retired), is the Senior Naval Science Instructor for the FISD NNDCC program. Major Billings established the program in 2021 and has 69 students from across the Frisco ISD. NNDCC students receive the exact same curriculum as NJROTC and graduate with an advantage when applying to military academies, university ROTC programs, scholarships or entering the military.
Post 178 Executive Committee members recently met Major Billings to exchange ideas for partnering with the Cadet Corps. The meeting was positive and identified areas for further exploration. Additional coordination meetings are planned. Major Billings will also be the guest speaker at the post’s upcoming April membership meeting.
Post 178 is honored to partner with and support the Lebanon Trail High School Navy National Defense Cadet Corp.
