Raymond Cage and wife Angela at the Texas Senior Games on Saturday in San Antonio.
See the race, it was a very close finish! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fLPZzcyIYcOAn58r3HfogwlGo8E2eTdH/view?usp=sharing
On March 25, 2026, 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.
During its March 2026 membership meeting, Post 178 welcomed Jake Hambrick who recently obtained his Eagle Scout rank. Jake began his scouting career in the third grade to have fun.
The Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the BSA Scouts program. Since its inception in 1911, only 4% of scouts have earned the rank. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges, 13 are required while the scout chooses the remainder. The scout must also complete the 32-page BSA Eagle Scout Service Project workbook. After obtaining leadership approval, the scout must plan, organize, lead, and manage the project.
In mid-2025, Jake initially contacted Ed Reed, Immediate Past Commander, to solicit project ideas. Jake had a life-long passion of history and wanted to honor the chosen beneficiary, the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham, Texas. He named it the Freedom Project: “A Picnic Table with a Purpose.”
His project included designing and building an eight-foot picnic table with removable benches, as well as organizing and gathering personal hygiene items for the veterans. Upon completion, Jake also arranged delivery of both items.
Jake is currently a senior at the Wakeland High School where he has actively participated in its Wolverine football program, held multiple officer positions in the Young Men’s Service League and volunteered in Wreaths Across America.
After graduation, Jake plans to attend Southern Methodist University to study finance and economics. Jake is the eldest son of Brooke and Wade Hambrick.
Commander Joanne Schumm presented a Good Citizen Citation Certificate and a Post 178 commemorative coin to Jake for sharing his Eagle Scout project details. Post 178 congratulates Jake for his rank attainment and wishes him many future successes.
Anoushka Rai, a junior at Independence High School and 1 of 4 scholarship winners of the Frisco Post 178 Oratorical contest this past December, was the winner of the Department (State) contest on February 16, 2026.
Anoushka had previously won the District and Division contests and advanced to the Texas finals. She now advances to the National contest this May where she will compete for the $25,000 scholarship. Thus far she has accumulated over $4,000 in scholarships through the competition ladder. This is a significant accomplishment.
Anoushka has distinguished herself as an accomplished speaker and done so with poise. grace and style. We know you all will join us in congratulating her on this great milestone accomplishment, and wish her all the best in the National competition.
Anoushka has represented herself, her family, school, community, and Post 178 with a high degree of maturity and class that make us all proud.
We will be rooting for her at National competition.
March 27, 2026, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Allen Senior Recreation Center
451 St Mary Drive, Allen, TX 75002 United
Open to the public and all veterans, seating will be available.
A Veterans Day Ceremony to celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Frisco Veterans Memorial in Frisco Commons Park, 8000 McKinney Road, Frisco, TX 75033. The American Legion Post 178 and Auxiliary Unit 178 are coordinating the ceremony. Music provided by the Frisco Community Band, National Anthem performed by Leslie Rainey.
The ceremony will include special guests from the City of Frisco and keynote speaker John Bagwell, a decorated veteran with a Bronze Star with a “V” device and the Purple Heart. His experience has recently been chronicled in a documentary, Vietnam: The War That Changed America, released on Apple TV+.
John Bagwell is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the US Army as a DJ / announcer for the American Forces Radio Station. He was wounded during the Tet Offensive during the siege of Hue, South Vietnam, where he received the Bronze Star with a “V” device and the Purple Heart.
He was part of the only American Forces Radio or Television Station to be taken by the enemy during any war. Of the staff, five were taken prisoner, three were killed, and John was able to escape.
Over the next two days, John was shot at over a dozen times – Six by the North Vietnamese and six by the Americans who did not know he was behind enemy lines.
He has found humor in the face of tragedy; his story will inspire you to face another day.
He has been active in the Veteran groups and is a past commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 542 in Dallas, and is on the board for Collin County Vietnam Veterans of
America Chapter 1122
He lives in the Dallas area, is married to Rosemary Bagwell, and has two sons, Jonathan and Ben.