by larryw | Jun 12, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Anniversary
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2019 Texas had roughly 181,000 women veterans. This is the largest number of women veterans of any state. During the 85th legislative session in Texas, State Representative Victoria Neave filed House Bill 2698 to designate June 12 each year thereafter as Women Veterans Day, a day to recognize and honor women veterans throughout the state.
The content of this bill was later attached as an amendment to Senate Bill 805 and was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 9, 2017. When asked about her role in the creation of this legislation, Representative Victoria cited VA statistics as her motivation to create House Bill 2698.
On June 12, 2018, Representative Neave, together with the Veterans Women’s Enterprise Center, hosted the first official Women Veterans Day in Texas. Commemorative events and ceremonies were held in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin, as well as several other cities throughout the state. These events were designed to raise awareness of the contributions made by women during their service in the U.S. military.
Post 178 is notably proud of its 35 members who are women veterans.
by larryw | Jun 6, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Anniversary
June marks the 77th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. We will always remember and never forget the sacrifices and valor exhibited by our armed forces on June 6, 1944.
On D-Day Allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. The invasion is significant in history for the role it played in World War II. During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the battle began when some 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes, and 156,000 American, British, and Canadian servicemen landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. When it was over, the Allied Forces had suffered nearly 10,000 casualties; more than 4,000 were dead. Yet somehow, due to planning and preparation, and due to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Forces, Fortress Europe had been breached.
The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. Prior to D-Day, the Allies conducted a large-scale deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. By late August 1944, all northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
by larryw | May 29, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Anniversary, Community, Memorial
Vice Commander Rick Redden presenting a Memorial Day program to Parsons House residents. Photography by Ed Reed.
The American Legion Post 178 recently provided Memorial Day programs to Frisco’s Parsons House and Sunrise Senior Living facilities. The Color Guard posted and retired the Nation’s Colors. Vice Commander Rick Redden lead the residents in a participatory program about the Memorial Day. The residents enjoyed sharing information about their personal military service as well as that about family members. Veterans from various wars, including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, actively participated. The program has been given for several years at various senior living facilities in Frisco and surrounding communities.
by larryw | May 15, 2021 | Anniversary, Recognitions
Armed Forces Day is a day to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces. President Truman led the effort to establish a holiday for citizens to unite and to honor our military heroes for their patriotic service in support of the United States of America.
Armed Forces Day is a joint celebration of all six branches of the U.S. military: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and the newly created Space Force. The day honors all people currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. This includes the men and women who have served or are serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard, including the National Guard and Reserve components.
Today, and every day, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the millions of American patriots who fill the ranks of our Armed Forces. We are eternally grateful for every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman, and member of the Space Force, and we deeply appreciate the sacrifices their families and loved ones make on our behalf.
by larryw | May 8, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Anniversary, Recognitions
On May 7, 1945, the Allied forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union forced the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. The following day, May 8, citizens around the world celebrated the news of “Victory in Europe (V-E) Day.” It celebrated the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany’s surrender of its armed forces, marking the end of World War II in Europe. It was the first hurdle on the path to ending World War II.
V-E Day was by no means the end of the war. It would be another four months before Japan would surrender to the Allies in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, known as “Victory over Japan (V-J) Day.”
May 8 had been a long time coming. The tide had changed in favor of the Allies after the Soviets held back the German army at Stalingrad, in a bitter five-month campaign in 1942-43. With the Nazi war machine checked, there was light at the end of the tunnel. However, for two more years battles raged on land, sea, and in the air. Millions of people would lose their lives. Cities, towns, whole communities were lost overnight.
At the World War II Memorial, 24 bas-relief sculptures recount the progress of United States war effort. The last bas-relief depicts the overwhelming excitement of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and civilians alike on V-J day, but it easily translates to the emotions felt and expressed on V-E Day.
V-E Day is celebrated every year. During anniversary observances, fewer and fewer of those who witnessed it are with us. Visiting the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC ensures that while their presence may be soon lost, their legacy will remain.
by larryw | Apr 23, 2021 | Anniversary, Army
The United States Army Reserve celebrates its 113th birthday in 2021. That century-plus milestone is a significant achievement for what the Army Reserve official site describes as “the most capable, combat-ready, and lethal Federal Reserve force in the history of the Nation” and while the United States Marine Corps Reserve might take a bit of exception to that statement, there is no denying that the Army Reserve has played an important role in American military history.
The Army Reserve celebrates its contributions to two World Wars, the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War, and many other missions.
There are Army Reserve communities located in every state in the Union, plus the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Reservists have deployed to roughly 30 countries.
Today the U.S. Army Reserve rotates its part-time troops through active-duty mobilizations and monthly training. Some are categorized as “Army Reserve troop program units,” some serve as Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMA), and still others are placed as non-drilling Individual Ready Reserve members. Army Reservists also have the option to serve on active-duty status known as AGR or Active Guard/Reserve status.
The role of the Army Reserve is more critical than ever in an age characterized by the persistent presence of asymmetric threats of terrorism and radical groups as well as the emerging, dynamic, and highly contentious challenges presented by potential adversaries with the capability, propensity, and willingness to contest America’s military power in all domains.” The Army Reserve continues to play an important part in national defense, humanitarian outreach, and combat operations.
