by larryw | Oct 13, 2021 | Community, Press Release
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 11, 2021, 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 special guests Mayor Jeff Cheney and the Honorable Forrest Beadle, Denton County Criminal Court 3. Judge Beadle, who is a US Army veteran and Commander of Denton American Legion Post 71, will be the keynote speaker. Judge Beadle leads the Denton County Veterans Treatment Court Program.
The public and all veterans are invited to attend. Seating will be available.
by larryw | Aug 19, 2021 | Boys and Girls State, Press Release, Recognitions
American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 2021 Texas Boys Statesmen Accepting Frisco City Council Proclamation. Photo by Jeanie Beal.
The 2021 Post 178 Texas Boy Statesmen were honored at the Frisco City Council meeting on August 17, 2021. Larry Wilhelm, the Program Committee Chairman, presented the seventeen statesmen to Mayor Jeff Chaney and council members. Mayor Cheney proclaimed the day as “Frisco Boys Statesmen Day”. He further recognized the vital role high school principals, counselors, and teachers play in the nomination process of prospective delegates.
The group of seventeen incoming seniors who attended the 2021 Texas Boys State virtual program from June 27 through July 2, 2021, received a proclamation. Thomas Davies, who attended a week-long program in Washington, D.C., received an individual proclamation for being selected a Boys Nation Senator.
The American Legion Boys State program began 85 years ago and is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instructions for high school students. It is a participatory program where each delegate becomes part of the process of his local, county, and state government. The American Legion Boys Nation is a weeklong educational program held in Washington, D.C. on the structure and function of federal government.
Since June 2014, including the 2021 selected young men, Post 178 has sponsored 141 Texas Boys State delegates. The highly competitive Texas Boys State and Boys Nation programs support mentoring youth, which is one of the Four Pillars of The American Legion.
by larryw | Aug 6, 2021 | Anniversary, Community, Memorial, Press Release
Please save the date to join the City of Frisco and the Frisco Garden Club on September 11 at 6 p.m. for the 20-Year Remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The ceremony will be at Freedom Meadow in Warren Sports Complex, located at 7599 Eldorado Pkwy. The annual remembrance honors the memory of those who died in the attacks on September 11, 2001.
by larryw | Aug 4, 2021 | Boys and Girls State, Press Release, Recognitions
Thomas Davies, a 2021 Boys Nation Senator, attended the event in Washington, D. C.
Thomas Davies, an incoming senior at Wakeland High School, was recently selected, along with eighteen other delegates from Frisco ISD high schools and private schools, by American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 to attend Texas Boys State. All actively participated virtually and completed the week-long educational program of local and state government instruction to graduate as Texas Boys Statesmen.
Thomas was also selected as a senator from more than six hundred Texas Boys State delegates to attend the 2021 American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. He was one of one hundred Boys Nation senators selected from more than 20,000 Boys State Statesmen from across the 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. Senators were exposed to the proper method of handling bills according to U.S. Senate rules. The week of government training combined lectures and forums with visits to federal agencies, institutions, memorials, and historical spots in and around Washington. During a visit to Capitol Hill, Boys Nation Senators also met with elected officials from their home states.
by larryw | Jun 24, 2021 | Events, Press Release
(L-R) Past 1st Division Commander Gene Toohey congratulates the new 2021-22 Post 178 Commander Rick Redden. Photo by Jeanie Beal
Post 178 implemented a new organizational structure and elected 12 Post Executive Committee officers at its general membership meeting on June 21, 2021. All newly elected officers will serve from July 2021 to June 2022. Former Commander Fred Rogers will fill the Immediate Past Commander position.
Mr. Gene Toohey, past 1st Division Commander, conducted the election. Elected were Rick Redden- Commander, Ed Reed-Vice Commander-Public Relations, Thor Anderson-Vice Commander-Post Activities, Terry Gilbert-Vice Commander-Programs, Jose Torres-Adjutant, Terry Meyering-Finance Officer, Bill McGowan-Judge Advocate, Paul Huff-Service Officer, James Schaub-Chaplain, Gemar Johnston-Sergeant at Arms, Ted Ruybal-Member at Large, and Larry Wilhelm-Member at Large.
4th District Commander Jason Castleberry installed the new officers. Commander Castleberry commented, “The leadership of Post 178 will continue its fine tradition of serving veterans, youth, and the Frisco and surrounding communities as it has done since it was chartered in 2014.”
by larryw | Jun 16, 2021 | Color Guard, Memorial, Press Release
Post 178 Color Guard events during May 2021.
Photo #1 – Texas Gold Star Families Memorial Dedication
Photo #2 – Memorial Day Program at Sunrise Senior Living
Photo #3 – 31st Annual Lone Star Corvette Classic at Texas Motor Speedway
Photo #4 – Armed Forces Day Celebration at Prairie Estates Skilled Nursing
Photo #5 – Texas Motor Speedway INDYCAR Race
Photo #6 – Memorial Day Observance at Frisco Commons Park
Photo #7 – Armed Forces Day at Frisco Roughriders Game
Photo #8 – Allen Americans Hockey
The American Legion Post 178 Color Guard has been in high demand in 2021. Its participation in events during 2020 were almost nonexistent because of the pandemic. But as COVID-19 restrictions have eased, requests to present the Nation’s Colors have increased dramatically.
The guard maintains a remarkably busy schedule for presenting the Nation’s Colors in Frisco and surrounding communities at numerous events, such as grand openings, ballgames, schools, holidays, community events and American Legion functions. Its Honor Guard also performs funerals and memorial services for area veterans and members of Post 178 upon request of the family. It also is qualified to perform services at the D/FW National Cemetery.
The guard was formed in 2014, the same year Post 178 was chartered. It currently has 12 members who fill various positions: flags, rifles, bugle, saber, and detail leader. In 2020 because of COVID-19, the number of events were reduced to ten. The number of events was 40 and 58 in 2019 and 2018, respectively. In May 2020 only 1 event was completed, however, 8 were completed in May 2021. The number of events should return to normal levels in 2022.
Besides time dedicated to scheduled events, practice is held monthly. Additionally, members pay more than half of the $400 in uniform costs. The post also has a Service Flag Detail that presents the flags of the United States Services and averages 3-4 events per year.
Post 178 is proud of its Color/Honor Guard. It provides services at no cost, but accepts donations, and welcomes interested parties to contact Color Guard Captain Larry Wilhelm at friscolegion.colorguard@gmail.com. To learn more visit friscolegion.org.
