by larryw | May 16, 2021 | Community, Press Release
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.
by larryw | May 14, 2021 | Auxiliary, Community, Memorial, Press Release, Recognitions
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.
by larryw | May 4, 2021 | Press Release
Post 178 Color Guard (L-R) Delbert Parsons, Larry Marshall, John Ricca, Ted Ruybal, Larry Wilhelm (Color Guard Captain), Terry Gilbert.
The American Legion Post 178 Color Guard presented the nation’s colors on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the GENSEYS 300 NTT INDY CAR SERIES at Texas Motor Speedway. The evening open wheel racing event was wheel-to-wheel racing at speeds over 200 mph.
The American Legion is sponsoring the No. 48 Honda in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES represented by a combination of Seven-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson and former Indianapolis 500 Winner and Series Champion Tony Kanaan. “We’re excited about partnering with The American Legion because it represents a very important relationship with an organization dedicated to supporting veterans,” said Chip Ganassi, team owner of Chip Ganassi Racing.
The American Legion, the nation’s largest and most powerful organization of wartime veterans and their families, is using its presence in Indy car to elevate awareness and introduce a new modern brand expression. The new logo will not replace the historic American Legion emblem, but rather complement it by honoring the history, heritage, and symbols which Legionnaires hold dear.
The American Legion hopes to bring attention to some of the most important issues facing today’s veterans, including veteran suicide, and honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms.
by larryw | Apr 5, 2021 | Press Release
Texas Boy State delegate interviews were recently completed over a three-week period by an eight-member veteran committee. Larry Wilhelm, the Program Committee Chairman, said, “We had a very strong group of twenty-nine candidates from Frisco ISD and private high schools this year.” The high school principals, counselors, and teachers nominated high school junior students from each of their respective schools.
Because of COVID-19 and the winter storm of February 15, virtual interviews and evaluations were conducted over an extended three-week period. Twenty high school juniors were ultimately selected to attend the 2021 Texas Boys State virtual program from June 27 through July 2, 2021.
The American Legion Boys State, an 85 years-old program, 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. Using the highly effective experiential learning process, delegates are exposed to the rights and privileges, duties, and responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county, and state governments operated by the delegates elected to various offices.
Since June 2014 and including the 2021 selected young men, Post 178 has sponsored 141 Texas Boys State delegates. The highly competitive Texas Boys State program supports mentoring youth, which is one of the Four Pillars of The American Legion.
by larryw | Apr 2, 2021 | Press Release
Every year since its charter in 2014, Post 178 has gathered and delivered Christmas gifts to the veterans at the Clyde W. Cosper Veteran’s Home in Bonham, Texas (53 miles northeast of Frisco). As in past years, The Legion and Auxiliary provided gifts, cookies, and donations to the more than 100 women and men veterans for their 2020 Christmas.
Seventeen boxes of items such as food, blankets, hygiene items, games, puzzles, and candy were donated by students at Oak Point Elementary in Little Elm, Texas, which was organized by Jill Harrer, the Special Education teacher to kindergarten and 4th grade students. Post 178 and its members also donated more than $2,400 to assist in purchasing items that the veterans themselves identified. Staff members were also remembered with homemade cookies. All donations were delivered on December 11 by veteran members Tim Schmidt and Marty Martel.
Nancy Levraga, Activity Director, recently emailed Post 178 saying, “We are trying to be good stewards of the blessing the American Legion Post 178 has bestowed on us.”. She shared that the residents voted to buy next year subscriptions to the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Times magazines. Also purchased was an indoor/outdoor fourteen-foot movie screen to watch movies and a Netflix subscription for both their memory care and activity rooms. The veterans also voted to purchase a basketball goal, basketballs, and footballs. Nancy closed by saying, “Thank you for choosing our Clyde W. Cosper veterans . As you have not forgotten us, we will never forget your generosity and thoughtfulness.”
Earlier in 2020, Post 178 also donated three iPads so residents could facetime their families and play games. Post 178 and Auxiliary-Unit 178 are honored to have made Christmas a little brighter for the veterans at the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home.
by larryw | Apr 1, 2021 | Press Release
Post 178 recently awarded an Honorary Life Membership to Frisco resident Mr. Burnett L. Sutter, an US Army World War II veteran. Mr. Sutter was a soldier in the ”Tough Hombres”, 90th Division, 358 Regiment, M Company that landed at Utah Beach, Normandy, France, in June 1944. For his military service in France, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor medal in 2018.
Mr. Sutter will reach a birthday milestone when he celebrates his 100th birthday on April 7. To help him celebrate his family has asked he be sent birthday cards to Mr. Burnie Sutter, 6098 Osage Place, Frisco, TX 75034. Additionally, a drive-by birthday car parade is planned for Saturday, April 10 at 10:30 – 11:15am at the Saddle Brook Memory Care Community at 9966 Legacy Dr, Frisco, TX 75034.
Mr. Sutter becomes the most senior of the six World War II veterans in the more than 600- member American Legion Post 178. Post 178 is proud to have Mr. Sutter in its ranks!
