American Legion Post 178 Celebrates Veterans Day

American Legion Post 178 Celebrates Veterans Day

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.

 

Veterans Day Ceremony

Veterans Day Ceremony

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.

Frisco Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

Frisco Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

The breakfast is:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
7:00-9:00am
Embassy Suites Hotel in Frisco
(Frisco Conference Center)

NOTE: The code is only good until Friday morning!

The Frisco Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is extending complimentary seats to City Leaders, PD/Fire, Workers, and Veterans. Seats must be claimed by Friday, Oct 6th and availability is First Come First Served!

To claim your seat:
-Click link – www.friscoprayerbreakfast.com and hit “Get Tickets”
-Once in Eventbrite, click the orange ‘Reserve a spot’ button
-Enter frisco23 in the PromoCode field and hit ‘Apply’.
-Guest will be able to check out without paying.
-Please note, the code is only applicable to the individual registration option

Fellowship Power Lunch Veterans Appreciation Event

Fellowship Power Lunch Veterans Appreciation Event

Fellowship Power Lunch Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Lunch is held annually in November in Frisco, Texas. Every year, they feature a veteran as a keynote speaker to share his or her story and inspire us. Please join them to support these amazing men and women of our military and first responders. For more information: https://fellowshippowerlunch.com/veterans/ 

If you’re a veteran or first responder, they want to honor you! There is no cost for you and your spouse or guest to attend. Please let them know you’re coming by registering below.
https://fellowshippowerlunch.com/veterans/register-veteran/ 

City of Frisco Honors Its Purple Heart Veterans

City of Frisco Honors Its Purple Heart Veterans

Photo Caption: Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney proclaimed August 8, 2023, as “Purple Heart Day.”

The Frisco Veterans Advisory Committee recently held the annual Mayor’s Purple Heart Social to recognize and honor Frisco veterans who were Purple Heart recipients. Many organizations attended the celebration including Peter J Courcy Post 178.

Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney and city council members Tammy Meinershagen and Laura Rummel attended the event. Mayor Cheney read a proclamation signifying August 8, 2023, as “Purple Heart Day.” Fifteen veterans received a certificate from Mayor Chaney commemorating their service.

The City of Frisco is a “Purple Heart City” that supports all six thousand veterans that reside there. Post 178 became a “Purple Heart Post” in May 2021. Post 178 estimates that more than 20 of its 450 members have been awarded the medal.

The Post 178 namesake, Peter J. Courcy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, was awarded the medal posthumously.  The post has several members who are multiple recipients of the medal.

Frisco Freedom Fest

Frisco Freedom Fest

Members of the American Legion Post 178 Color Guard and cadets from the Lebanon Trail Navy National Defense Cadet Corps presented the Nation’s Colors and service flags at the Frisco Freedom Fest.   Photo by John Brady.

The Post 178 Color Guard and Lebanon Trail Navy National Defense Cadet Corps had the honor of presenting the Nation’s Colors and Service Flags during the opening ceremonies of the 2023 Frisco Freedom Fest. The Independence Day celebration in the City Hall Plaza had live entertainment, local vendors, a Classic Car Show and The Taste of Frisco, featuring 20 local restaurants.

The Cadet Corps also manned an information booth in the ‘Patriotic Vender Village’ which included more than 20 local participants. In addition to discussing membership opportunities, cadets shared information about their program.

Festivities concluded with one of the largest fireworks shows in North Texas.