Denton County Commissioners Recognize Wakeland Senior Thomas Davies

Denton County Commissioners Recognize Wakeland Senior Thomas Davies

Thomas Davies accepting the Court Proclamation. (L-R) Commissioners Ron Marchant and Ryan Williams, Judge Andy Eads, and Commissioners Bobbie J. Mitchell and Dianne Edmondson.

 

Thomas Davies, a Wakeland High School senior, was recognized at the Denton County Commissioners Court on September 21, 2021, for being an American Legion Boys Nation Senator. Davies was the guest of Commissioner Precinct 1 Ryan Williams.

Davies was selected by American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178. He, along with eighteen other delegates, attended the 2021 Texas Boys State. Davies was also selected as a senator from the more than six hundred Texas Boys State Statesmen to attend the 2021 American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, DC.  Davies was one of one hundred Boys Nation senators selected from more than 20,000 Boys State Statesmen from across our great nation.

In Washington, senators received an education on the structure and function of federal government, introduced legislation, organized party platforms and conventions, and participated in the election of officers. The week of government training also combined lectures and forums with visits to federal agencies, institutions, memorials, and historical spots in and around Washington.

Judge Andy Eads read the proclamation which was approved by Commissioners Ryan Williams, Ron Marchant, Bobbie J. Mitchell, and Dianne Edmondson. The proclamation recognized Davies for his outstanding achievements and extended best wishes for continued success, happiness, and a lifetime of honor and service.

Governor Abbott Announces Federal Grant for Senior Citizen Meals

Governor Abbott Announces Federal Grant for Senior Citizen Meals

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Texas has received a $16.2 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help communities provide meals for older adults.

The grant was part of a $250 million dollar outlay authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 18, 2020. Originally created by the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965, these programs provide meals to more than 2.4 million older adults nationwide each year, both through home delivery and in places like community centers.

“This grant is especially timely given the disproportionately high toll that COVID-19 has been taking on seniors around the world,” said Governor Abbott. “As social distancing measures increasingly and appropriately limit people’s social mobility, it is imperative that alternate means for feeding our state’s elderly like Meals on Wheels receive additional resources to handle the growing need.”

Texas will receive its proportional grant, $16,205,796, second only to California ($25 million) and Florida ($18 million) this week for further distribution to local meal providers.

Older adults who need assistance can contact the Eldercare Locator to find services available in their community. The Eldercare Locator can be reached at 1-800-677-1116 or https://eldercare.acl.gov/.

For more information about the Texas response to COVID-19, please visit https://texas.gov/#covid19/.

For more information about the Older Americans Act nutrition programs, please visit https://ACL.gov.

Original article here.

Post Namesake Memorial Anniversary

May he be forever remembered!

Army Cpl. Peter J. Courcy

Died February 2009 Serving in Operation Enduring Freedom


22, of Frisco, Texas; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 10 in Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.


From an article by Chris Smith of The Leaf-Chronicle

Two 101st Airborne Division soldiers died Tuesday when an improvised explosive device exploded near their vehicle in Salerno, Afghanistan.

Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas, and Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La., died in Salerno from their injuries, according to a news release Thursday from the Department of Defense.

The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Campbell.

According to a Fort Campbell media release, Courcy was an infantryman who entered the Army in July 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2007. His awards and decorations include: the Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Courcy is survived by his wife, Mara, of Colony, Texas; son, Anthony Luke, of Frisco, Texas; mother and step-father, Mary and Christopher Bush, of Frisco, Texas; and father, Jon Mitchell.


From The Associated Press

Peter J. Courcy’s best friend, Otto Bauer, laughed as he remembered meeting Peter in 2001 on a school bus.

“He was one of a kind, and we just hit it off right away and quickly became close,” Bauer said. “He was always a goofy kid and had a strong personality.”

Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas, was killed Feb. 10 by a suicide car bomb in Salerno. He was assigned to Fort Campbell.

Courcy’s former principal remembers his upbeat presence and fervor for life. “He was a good student, but he was an even better person,” Rick Burnett said. “That was reflective in the fact that he served his country.”

After graduating in 2004, he played amateur hockey for the Dallas Ice Hawks while taking classes at community colleges until enlisting in 2006.

“We always knew that’s what he wanted and needed,” said his father, Chris. “He needed to be in the Army just as much as the Army needed him, and he thrived there.”

He was a Dallas Cowboys nut and signed on for another five years of service, hoping to join the Special Forces.