Color Guard Motto “Have Flags Will Travel”

Color Guard Motto “Have Flags Will Travel”

    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.

American Legion Post 178 Color Guard Presents Nation’s Colors at the Lone Star Corvette Classic

American Legion Post 178 Color Guard Presents Nation’s Colors at the Lone Star Corvette Classic

Color Guard Members L-R Terry Gilbert, Fred Rogers, John Ricca, Larry Marshall, Thor Anderson, Theodore Ruybal, and Larry Wilhelm Photographer-Jeanie Beal

Service Flag Detail
Army – Don Swift, Marine Corps – Eric Bonar, Navy – DaNee’ Jensen, Air Force – Raymond Cage, Space Force – Korrie Ragsdale, Coast Guard – Brett Ragsdale Photographer-Jeanie Beal

On Saturday, May 22 the American Legion Post 178 Color Guard presented the Nation’s Colors at the 31st Annual Lone Star Corvette Classic at the Texas Motor Speedway.  The Classic is a major event of the Lone Star Corvette Club.  Proceeds benefited the Speedway Children’s Charities and The National Corvette Museum.

Founded in 1982, the Lone Star Corvette Club has over 1,000 members in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  It offers just about any activity an owner of “America’s Sports Car” could want:  Road Trips, Day Triops, Open Road Racing, Drag Racing, Autocross, Car Shows, Displays, Parades, and more.

American Legion Post 178 Wins  National Media Contest

American Legion Post 178 Wins National Media Contest

The home page of the award-winning website (friscolegion.org) of the American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178

The American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 website (friscolegion.org) was recently selected a 2021 winner in The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA) national media contest.

TALMA is comprised of current members of all branches of the American Legion Family. Four website categories based on membership size were judged on site design, links, and appropriateness of information as it related to the American Legion Family. Since Post 178 currently has more than 600 members, it was judged in the 250-749 member category. Other categories included membership sizes of up to 249 and over 750.

The Public Relations Committee, which maintains the site, includes veterans Eric Bonar, Larry Wilhelm, Jeanie Beal, Gemar Johnston, Terry Meyering, and Ed Reed. Eric Bonar, the post’s webmaster and owner of Sundance Digital Marketing said “I am proud to be a Marine veteran and a member of Post 178. Because of the industry I am in, I had an opportunity to give back by redesigning our website and providing, free of charge, its host platform, but our win was a total team effort.”

Judges noted, “The Post 178 website stands out in its ability to convey information to members and the public in an appealing modern format. It is a great resource and incorporates proper branding and reflects American Legion values appropriately. The Post 178 website stood out in this category among all the entries. The website masterfully combined visual appeal with ease of use. It’s clear to the visitor that this is not just an American Legion post website but one that is modern, inviting and easily highlights current news and updates. This would be an ideal template to follow for posts that are still using outdated website design.”

American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178  Proclaimed A Purple Heart Post

American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 Proclaimed A Purple Heart Post

(R-L) Commander Fred Rogers accepts a sign indicating that Peter J Courcy Post 178 is a MOPH Post from Department of Texas State Commander Gus Wittschack and Centex Commander Post 1876 Tracey L. Brown Greene.  Photograph by Jeanie Beal.

American Legion Post 178 recently became only the third American Legion post in the State of Texas to be designated a Purple Heart Post.  The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Department of Texas State Commander Gus Wittschack presented a proclamation and sign to Commander Fred Rogers during the designation ceremony.  Commander Rogers was honored to accept the Purple Heart Post designation on behalf of its members who are Purple Heart Medal recipients.

Commander Rogers said, “It seems only fitting that our post, along with the City of Frisco who previously received the Purple Heart City designation, also honor our members who are Purple Heart Medal recipients.”  Post 178 estimates that approximately 75 of its more than 600 members have been awarded the medal.

The MOPH is unique among all veteran service organizations in that its membership is comprised entirely of combat veterans who were wounded in action. The MOPH Department of Texas is comprised of 22 chapters, representing almost 4,000 Purple Heart Medal recipients within the State of Texas.

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.

American Legion Post 178 Presents Awards at Lake Highlands JROTC Award Ceremony

Commander Fred Rogers presents the Peter J Courcy Post 178 Military
Excellence – Leadership Award to Cadet Captain Anaela Marquez.
Photo by Ed Reed

The Lake Highlands High School Wildcat Battalion Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) held their 1st Annual Pass in Review and Award Ceremony on May 14, 2021.  Lieutenant Colonel (RET) Robert Gerald, Senior Army Instructor, and Master Sergeant (RET) Calvin Washington, Army Instructor, invited American Legion Post 178 Commander Fred Rogers, Vice Commanders Rick Redden and Ed Reed to attend the ceremony.

Commander Rogers presented the awards to two outstanding cadets.  Cadet Staff Sergeant Stephane Edegbe was awarded the Peter J Courcy Post 178 Scholastic Achievement Award.  Cadet Captain Anaela Marquez was awarded the Peter J Courcy Post 178 Military Excellence – Leadership Award.

 

The LHHS Wildcat program was established in 2019 and currently has approximately 100 cadets.  The program includes numerous special teams:  Raider Team, Color Guard, Drill & Ceremony, Rifle Team, and Saber Team.  The battalion’s mission is “To Motivate Young People to Be Better Citizens.”  The ceremony concluded with the longstanding military tradition of the Battalion Pass in Review.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178  To Distribute Poppies on National Poppy Day

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 To Distribute Poppies on National Poppy Day

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 members, (L-R) Tracy Gamble and Virginia Mendlik, greeted shoppers with poppies in 2020 at the Frisco Lowe’s Home Improvement.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 members, (L-R) Tracy Gamble and Virginia Mendlik, greeted shoppers with poppies in 2020 at the Frisco Lowe’s Home Improvement.

 

After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Its growth was attributed to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by World War I.  The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battles following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines.

The poppy became the official flower of The American Legion on September 22, 1920 to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during World War I.  In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion.

The American Legion Auxiliary has used poppies for many years to raise awareness and support for our nation’s veterans. This year the American Legion Auxiliary will continue to bring attention to this symbolic flower by calling upon all Americans to honor the fallen and support the living on National Poppy Day, May 28,2021.

Since 2015 Auxiliary Unit 178 has distributed poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower donate to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families with medical and financial needs.

On Saturday, May 28 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. members of Auxiliary Unit 178 will distribute poppies at Lowe’s Home Improvement at 3360 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034.

On National Poppy Day, wear a red poppy to honor the fallen and support the living who have worn our nation’s uniform.