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 | 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 | Aug 4, 2021 | Coast Guard
Each August 4 the U.S. Coast Guard celebrates its birthday.
The Coast Guard is one of America’s five armed forces and traces its founding to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. Responsibilities added over the years included humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress.
The service received its present name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form a single maritime service dedicated to the safety of life at sea and enforcing the nation’s maritime laws.
The Coast Guard is a multi-mission, maritime, military service, and the smallest of the five Armed Services. Its mission is to protect the public, the environment and U.S. economic interests in the nation’s waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security.
by larryw | Jun 23, 2021 | Auxiliary, Coast Guard
June 23, 2021 is the official Coast Guard Auxiliary birthday. Most are familiar with the Coast Guard, and while the Coast Guard Reserve is not quite as well known, it is the Coast Guard Auxiliary which remains one of the more obscure (but important) groups that has traditionally been associated with the United States Military.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed auxiliary service of the United States Coast Guard. It is comprised of 26,000 members who volunteer their time to support the operation of the Coast Guard, promote and improve recreational boating safety, and provide trained crews and facilities to enhance the safety and security of US ports, waterways, and coastal regions.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an unpaid force of volunteers who perform duties like or in support of the regular Coast Guard. Legislation passed in the mid-1990s authorized the Auxiliary to support any Coast Guard missions not involving law enforcement or real-world military operations. Today the Coast Guard, Reserve, and Auxiliary under the Department of Homeland Security.
by admin | Aug 4, 2020 | Coast Guard
Every year, August 4 is celebrated as the U.S. Coast Guard Birthday, commemorating the military organization for its valor and discipline. Since 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security.
The U.S. Coast Guard patrols our coasts for drug smugglers, human trafficking and both domestic and international terrorism. As the bad guys (and girls) have gotten savvy with technology, the Coast Guard has developed sophisticated, effective technology to combat crimes on the water and at our ports. It is a 24/7 job. If you know a Coast Guard veteran or someone on active duty, thank them for their service.
Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Website
