by larryw | Mar 15, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
March 15, the designated birthday of The American Legion, is the day in 1919 when the first American Legion caucus, held by members of the American Expeditionary Force, convened in Paris. Much as the birthday of the United States is celebrated on July 4 – for the day in 1776 when revolting patriots declared the independence of the British colonies and the spirit of America was born – March 15 is the date on which the Legion came to life.
The American Legion is a Veterans Service Organization, also known as a VSO. It is “the nation’s largest” wartime veterans service organization. It is a nationwide VSO that offers a large number of local programs as well as national efforts to support wounded warriors and their families. It is a non-partisan and non-profit organization that participates in fundraising, activism, and advocacy for veterans, and has a grass-roots effort to get the attention of lawmakers in Washington D.C. It is run on volunteer efforts and its success “depends entirely” on its volunteers.
Its purposes are described in its preamble:
- To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America
- To maintain law and order
- To foster and perpetuate 100% Americanism
- To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars
- To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation
- To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses
- To make right the master of might
- To promote peace and goodwill on earth
- To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy
- To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness
by larryw | Mar 13, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
National K9 Veterans Day, March 13, is a day set aside to honor commemorate the service and sacrifices of American military and working dogs throughout history.
It was on March 13, 1942, that the Army began training for its new War Dog Program, also known as the “K-9 Corps,” according to American Humane, marking the first time that dogs were officially a part of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Military Working Dogs are a vital part of today’s fighting force. With built-in radar, they can smell out trouble that no human or man-made device can.
Today’s military dogs are valued as important members of their military units and even have their own retirement ceremonies, awards and medals, and memorial services.
by larryw | Mar 3, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
The U.S. Navy Reserve celebrates its birthday every March 3. Formed in 1915 in response to the outbreak of World War I, the Navy Reserve made up almost 84 percent of the Navy’s fighting force during the war. Among its ranks were five future U.S. Presidents and 15 recipients of the Medal of Honor. The Navy Reserve has since had reservists serve in every major war in which the United States has fought.
On any day, 25 percent of the Navy Reserve is delivering global operational support to the fleet and combat forces. The Reserve has seen over 70,000 mobilizations of Selected Reservists since September 11, 2001, and more than 4,500 deployments by reservists serving on Full-Time Support.
Today, over 100,000 reservists serve as either the Selected Reserve (SELRES) or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Sailors. Reservists serve to amplify the Navy’s core capabilities, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.
by larryw | Feb 22, 2022 | Color Guard
Honor Guard members performing military funeral honors for Burnett “Burnie” Louis Sutter:
(L – R) Larry Marshall, Larry Wilhelm, Charlie Daniels, Ted Ruybal, and Fred Rogers.
The Post 178 Color Guard currently consists of twelve members, eight of which participate in the Honor Guard performing military funeral honors for veterans. The Post has been providing this service since the post was chartered in 2014.
The Post 178 Honor Guard recently was honored to participate in a worship service celebrating the life of Burnett ”Burnie” Louis Sutter. Near the end of the worship service the Post 178 Honor Guard performed the military funeral honors to present a United States flag to his only daughter, Sandra Daun Richards.
All eligible veterans, including military retirees, are entitled to military funeral honors. At a minimum, the funeral honors ceremony will consist of the playing of taps and the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag. At least two uniformed military personnel shall perform the ceremony. If a bugler is not available, an electronic recording will be played. One of the uniformed military personnel will be from the deceased veteran’s parent military service and will present the flag to the next of kin.
Mr. Sutter was awarded a Post 178 Honorary Life Membership on April 7, 2021, his 100th birthday. At the time, Mr. Sutter was the most senior of the post’s six World War II veterans. He was a US Army World War II veteran and served in the ”Tough Hombres”, 90th Division, 358 Regiment, M Company. He landed at Utah Beach, Normandy, France, in June 1944. For his military service in France, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor medal in 2018.
by larryw | Feb 21, 2022 | American Legion Post 178, Oratorical
Emma Ko, a senior, home school, was selected as the first runner-up from four orators in the American Legion Department of Texas Oratorical Contest in San Antonio on Monday, February 21, 2022. She is the second orator since Post 178 was chartered in 2014 to compete for the state title.
Previously, she was selected a winner in the Post 178 contest in Frisco, the 4th District contest in Royce City, and the 1st Division contest in Denton. For winning those three contests, she received scholarships totaling $3,500. Including her $1,500 scholarship for being selected as first runner-up, Ms. Ko has earned scholarships totaling $5,000.
If for any reason the winner is unable to compete in the national contest, Ms. Ko as the department first runner-up may be substituted for the winner in Indianapolis, Indiana in March.
by larryw | Feb 21, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
President’s Day, formally known as Washington’s Birthday, is a United States federal holiday that celebrate all U.S. presidents (past and present) specifically George Washington (born on February 22), the first President of the United States.
President’s Day dates to the year 1800, following the death of President George Washington in 1799. His birthday on February 22 became a significant day of remembrance. At the time, Washington was recognized as the most important figure in American history.
While Washington’s Birthday was unofficially observed for most of the 1800s, it was not until the late 1885 that it became a federal holiday for the entire country. The shift from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents’ Day began in the late 1960s when Congress proposed a measure known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This law sought to shift the celebration of several federal holidays from specific dates to a series of predetermined Mondays. The act was passed in 1968 and officially took effect in 1971. Traditionally President’s Day is viewed as a time of patriotic celebration and remembrance about the accomplishments of United States’ presidents, specifically focusing on the lives of Washington and Lincoln.
