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.”
by larryw | Jan 12, 2023 | American Legion Post 178
My apologies for sending out the wrong date, earlier.
Wreath Clean-Up Day is Saturday, January 21, beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Please consider joining us for some fresh air, camaraderie, and a good cause.
This year, we laid 50,500 wreaths. The wreath removal task will be on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 8:00AM. Last year, we removed 48,000 wreaths in about 3.5 hours. We hope you can help us this year.
Items to bring with you:
1. Work Gloves
2. Broom sticks (without the broom). You will be able to pick up more wreaths with a broom stick.
3. Water
This is a great event for kids. It is not manual labor. If you have a garden wagon, please bring it. Wagons are very helpful. We use them to move the wreath from the back of the cemetery sections to
the roads.
Items we need if you can:
1. Trucks
2. Trailers
You can start removing wreaths in any section.
Walk down the row and pick up the wreaths with your broomstick.
Neatly stack the wreaths near the end of the row.
People with wagons can move wreaths to the street.
People in trucks will load the wreaths and take them to the dumpster on the south side of the Administration building.
For those interested in carpooling down to the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, please meet at the northeast corner of Walmart’s parking lot, located off FM 423 at Stonebriar Pkwy. We will leave sharply at 7:00 a.m.
So that we know you are interested in carpooling, and we don’t leave without you, please email Joanne Schumm at joanne.schumm@gmail.com or text her at 352-281-6774.
Otherwise, the cemetery is located at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211. Call, text, or email Joanne at the contact info above to let us know you’ll be there so that we can work as a group – it’s more fun that way.
Blessings to you all and thanks for your interest and participation.
by larryw | Jan 7, 2023 | American Legion Post 178
The Grove is closed on Jan 16 for Martin Luther King Day. As a result, our Post meeting is rescheduled to Monday, Jan 23.
The Grove at Frisco Commons
Commons Hall
8300 McKinney Road
Frisco, Texas 75034
by larryw | Dec 29, 2022 | American Legion Post 178, Events
Saturday, January 14, 2023, beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Happy New Year to all Post 178 Legionnaires and Auxiliary Members! I’m looking forward to serving with you all in 2023 and helping to grow our Post and Auxiliary into the finest in all of Texas.
A big thank you to our volunteers who braved the cold and either unloaded and set up boxes of wreaths or coordinated activities on Ceremony Day. Their time and energy helped dress up our national cemetery and honor brothers and sisters who have gone on before us. So, thank you to our Post Commander, John Stammreich; Vice Commander-Programs, Terry Gilbert; and Color/Honor Guard Captain, Bill Drake.
If you didn’t have the chance to participate in this beautiful and kindhearted annual event, you have another opportunity to help out this year, as we need volunteers to retrieve the wreaths for disposal. Last year it took two and half hours to clear 39,000 wreaths. This year there will be more, so plan for half a day of service. Remember, the more volunteers we have, the faster it’ll go. Wreath removal will begin at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, January 14th. If you have an old broomstick (without the broom) or something similar to bring along with you and use it to scoop up several wreaths at once; makes the job much easier. Also, bring gloves as the wreaths can be prickly, water to stay hydrated, and ask a friend to come along and join in on the fun!
For those interested in carpooling down to the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, please meet at the northeast corner of Walmart’s parking lot, located off FM 423 at Stonebriar Pkwy. We will leave sharply at 7:00 a.m. So that we know you are coming and don’t leave without you, please email Joanne Schumm at joanne.schumm@gmail.com or text her at 352-281-6774.
by larryw | Dec 12, 2022 | American Legion Post 178, Community, Oratorical, Press Release
Photo , – (L-R) Cooper A Cobbs- Cobbs Homeschool, Caedmon McCoy-McCoy Homeschool, Kaaviya Shenbaharaman- Plano West Senior High School PISD, Pranav A Kalkunte-Independence High School FISD. Photo Credit: John Brady
Four high school students from the Frisco area were named winners and received $250 college scholarships at the American Legion Post 178 Oratorical Scholarship Contest. The competition was held at The Grove at Frisco Commons on Saturday, December 10. The four orators will now compete at the district contest in Royse City on January 7, 2023, with other post winners from the 4th District.
Each contestant delivered a prepared oration as well as an oration on a randomly assigned constitutional topic. The four winners were: Cooper A Cobbs- Cobbs Homeschool, Caedmon McCoy-McCoy Homeschool, Kaaviya Shenbaharaman- Plano West Senior High School PISD, Pranav A Kalkunte-Independence High School FISD
The American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Program began in 1938 and encourages high school students to study the U.S. Constitution and improve their public speaking skills. Post 178 annually holds this contest for students in the Frisco area to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution. The contest presents an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship.
by larryw | Dec 1, 2022 | American Legion Post 178, Community, Events, Oratorical
Five high school students from the Frisco area have registered to compete for college scholarships at the American Legion post 178 Oratorical Scholarship Contest. The competition will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 9 A.M. at the Grove at Frisco Commons, 8300 McKinney Road, Frisco, TX 75034.
Orators are required to write and memorize an original speech on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. Additionally, the contest requires the orator to deliver extemporaneous remarks regarding one of four amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The specific amendment will be drawn on the day of the competition.
Up to 4 winners will be selected to proceed to the district contest in Royse City on January 7, 2022. They will compete with winners from other posts in the 4th District. The contest is open to the public and admission free.
Learn more about the American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 at friscolegion.org
