by larryw | Mar 6, 2024 | Community, Recognitions
At its upcoming Tuesday, March 19, 2024, meeting, the Frisco City Council will thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families by proclamation. The recognition will be held in Council Chambers at the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco, Texas 75034. Please arrive by 6:30pm.
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by 45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This special day joins six other military-centric annual observances, among them Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
March 29 was a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam Veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973, was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished, and the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day, Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.
Note that no distinction exists between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War. All were called to serve, and none could self-determine where they would serve.
The VA estimates that today there are more than 7 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with 10 million families of those who served during this timeframe.
Vietnam veterans make up more than 50% of the more than 425 members of American Legion Post 178.
by larryw | Nov 15, 2023 | Community
DAV and Recruit Military will present an in-person job fair for all veterans in the Dallas, TX area on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 11AM to 3PM at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX 76011.
- Connect directly with employers from various industries.
- Fast turn-around time from interview to hiring.
- Fast & easy way to learn about jobs open NOW for the military community.
This is a hiring event exclusively for U.S. military veterans. This includes:
- Personnel who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life
- Veterans who already have civilian work experience
- Members of the National Guard and Reserves, and their spouses
Register and learn more here: https://rmvets.com/3CvnKow
by larryw | Nov 13, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Community, Holiday, Troop 178
The Frisco Community Parade was held on November 11 to mark Veterans Day and to celebrate community pride. The theme was Stars, Stripes, and Service. The Grand Marshall was Peter Burns, U.S. Army, Retired, and 2019 Distinguished Veteran of the Year.
The parade, which was originally a homecoming parade when Frisco was home to one high school, featured floats, school marching bands, high school football teams, cheerleaders, scouts, civic organizations, youth sports teams, Frisco-based professional sports teams, and local businesses.
Post 178’s entry consisted of the only tractor of the ninety-nine entries in this year’s parade. Both members and Pack 178 scouts rode on the trailer. Troop 178 scouts carried the post banner.
The Frisco Community Parade is a collaboration between the City of Frisco, Frisco Independent School District, Frisco Chamber of Commerce, and the Frisco Veterans Advisory Committee.
Special thanks go to Six & Mango Equipment for providing the Kubota tractor to pull the post’s trailer.
by larryw | Nov 12, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Community, Events
Mayor Pro Tem John Keating, Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Post 178 Commander Ed Reed, Terry Gilbert, Post 178 Vice Commander-Programs
Despite unfavorable weather, veterans and their families joined other citizens on Friday, November 10 at the Frisco Veterans Memorial to celebrate Veterans Day.
Terry Gilbert, Post 178 Vice Commander-Programs and U.S. Air Force veteran was emcee. Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander and U.S. Air Force veteran, welcomed attendees to the ceremony. Mayor Pro Tem John Keating, a U.S. Army veteran, shared insights about service and dedication to our country.
Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, was the ceremony’s special guest speaker. He is the Senior Military Science Instructor at the Frisco ISD JROTC Navy National Defense Cadet Program. He shared comments about the history of Veterans Day and offered confidence that the country’s youth is being well prepared to continue the strong defense of our country and democracy.
The Post 178 Color Guard, led by Captain Bill Drake, and cadets from the Cadet Program presented the Colors. Leslie Rainey sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.” Chaplain Pam Break, Auxiliary Unit 178, provided the invocation and benediction.
A special thanks goes to the City of Frisco, its Parks and Recreation and Communications Departments.
by larryw | Nov 6, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Community
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 10, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Frisco Veterans Memorial in Frisco Commons Park, 8000 McKinney Road, Frisco, TX 75033.
The American Legion Post 178 is coordinating the ceremony.
The ceremony will include a special welcome from Mayor Jeff Cheney. The keynote speaker will be Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Senior Naval Science Instructor at Lebanon Trail High School with the Navy JROTC Cadet Corps.
The public and all veterans are invited to attend. Seating will be available.
by larryw | Oct 10, 2023 | American Legion Post 178, Community, Events
Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Senior Military Science Instructor for the Navy National Defense Cadet Program at Lebanon Trail High School
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 10, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Frisco Veterans Memorial in Frisco Commons Park, 8000 McKinney Road, Frisco, TX 75033.
The American Legion Post 178 is coordinating the ceremony.
The ceremony will include a special welcome from Mayor Jeff Cheney. The keynote speaker will be Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Senior Naval Science Instructor at Lebanon Trail High School with the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps FISD program.
Major Billings enlisted in 1998 in Seattle, Washington. He attended Officer Candidate School after graduating from Penn State University in 2005. He was deployed to Iraq in 2007 and to the Middle East in 2008 with the US Navy. He was in Haiti in response to the 2010 earthquakes, and in 2014 in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. He also holds an MA from Marshall University. He retired in 2020 after 22 years of service.
The public and all veterans are invited to attend. Seating will be available.
