by larryw | Oct 15, 2025 | American Legion Post 178, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Events, Marine Corps, Navy, Press Release
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.
by larryw | Jun 14, 2025 | Army
On June 14th, 1775, the Continental Congress established our Army. It began with just ten companies of riflemen who pledged to enlist as soldiers for one year to face the world’sstrongest military of that day.
On the Army’s Birthday, we thank every Soldier, Civilian and Family member who has ever served in our ranks for your dedication to duty and the selfless service that have made us all Army Strong. Happy Birthday!
by larryw | Oct 23, 2024 | American Legion Post 178, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Community, Holiday, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy
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 November 9, 2024, 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.
The ceremony will include special guests from the City of Frisco and speakers Raymond Kemp with 33 years’ service, Fleet Master Chief US Naval Force Europe, US Naval Forces Africa and Darrell Utt a Retired Green Beret US Army Special Forces
The public and all veterans are invited to attend. Seating will be available.
by larryw | Oct 26, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy
On October 26th, National Day of the Deployed annually honors the United States military personnel deployed around the globe. The day recognizes all of the brave military personnel who have been deployed, are sacrificing, or have sacrificed their lives to defend our country. It also acknowledges their families who are separated from them during deployment and the sacrifices they make in order for their family members to serve our country.
Many deployed troops leave their families behind to serve their country. They make the greatest sacrifices to keep their country secure. A few ways to recognize their services include:
- Donate to a military organization like the USO.
- Send care packages.
- Volunteer your time and services to local military organizations.
- If you know a military family, ask what support they need.
- Offer to support military personnel who have no family.
by larryw | Jun 14, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Anniversary, Army
Every year on June 14th, the United States Army celebrates its creation in 1775.
Formed from amateur troops of volunteer soldiers defending colonies against British tyranny, the oldest military force in the United States began before the U.S. formally existed. Their forces consisted of mostly inexperienced militiamen commanded by independent colonial armies.
According to resources, there were never more than 48,000 Continental soldiers at one time. Today, the United States Army consists of over one million active-duty service members and an additional 800,000 National Guard and Reserves members. It is the largest branch in the U.S. military.
The enduring history of the U.S. Army means it has been integral to many of the United States military, peace-keeping, and humanitarian efforts. It has operated or helped to facilitate humanitarian operations in many other countries and provided civil engineering and modernization projects in nations that need certain types of infrastructure.
The evolution of the U.S. Army also has included changes in the demographics of those who serve; from an exclusively male active-duty force to a diverse and multicultural force that is far more representative of the American population than in previous decades.
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.
