Post 178 Continues Wreath Tradition

Post 178 Continues Wreath Tradition

(L to R) Scout Pack 178 brothers Zack (13) and Max (15) Moland pay respects at gravesite of CPL Peter J. Courcy, the namesake of Post 178, during 2020 Wreaths Across America activities at DFW National Cemetery (2020 Photo by Michael Moland)

Despite COVID-19, the National Wreaths Across America Day was carried out at more than 2,100 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.  One of those locations was DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.  More than forty Post 178 members volunteered, for the seventh straight year, to support the post’s wreaths tradition.

Members volunteered on three separate occasions:  first was on December 16, 2020 to unload and disburse more than 3,600 boxes wreaths, then on December 19, 2020 to assist with the placement of wreaths on the gravesites, and finally on January 16, 2021 to remove more than 36,700 wreaths from the gravesites for disposal.

Unloading the boxes of wreaths at the various sections of the cemetery in preparation for the placement of each wreath at a gravesite.

Unloading the boxes of wreaths at the various sections of the cemetery in preparation for the placement of each wreath at a gravesite.

When placing a wreath on each gravesite, the volunteer announced the name and details on each gravestone.

When placing a wreath on each gravesite, the volunteer announced the name and details on each gravestone.

 

Removing the wreaths from the gravesites and loading them on trucks for disposal.

Removing the wreaths from the gravesites and loading them on trucks for disposal.

Wreaths Across America reminds all of us how important it is to REMEMBER the Fallen…HONOR those who serve…TEACH our children the value of Freedom.

To view more photos go to https://friscolegion.com/media/photos.

Frisco Post 178 Oratorical Winner Wins 4th District Contest

Frisco Post 178 Oratorical Winner Wins 4th District Contest

L to R – Ed Reed, Chairman-Oratorical Program, Harbani Kohli, 4th District Contest Winner, Fred Rogers, Commander

Harbani Kohli, a junior at Reedy High School, was selected the winner of the American Legion 4th District Oratorical Contest in Royse City on Saturday, January 2, 2021.  Previously, she was selected a winner in the American Legion Post 178 contest in Frisco on December 12, 2020.  For winning the two contests, she received $250 and $500 college scholarships, respectively.

Each of the six contestants delivered two orations, a prepared oration and a randomly assigned constitutional topic oration.  Ms. Kohli impressed the judges with her prepared topic oration, titled “We Are the People”, and assigned topic oration, Article III, Section 1 concerning the Supreme Court.

Ms. Kohli will now advance to the American Legion 1st Division Oratorical Contest on Saturday, February 6, 2021, which will be held in the old County Courthouse in Denton, Texas.

American Legion Initiates Member Drive

The American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 is conducting its 2021 membership drive.  The post is one of the largest in Texas and represents one of the state’s fastest growing communities.  Although the post currently has more than 585 members, it annually seeks to signup new and retain current veteran members to help support their numerous programs and activities in the Frisco community.

The American Legion is a patriotic veteran’s organization and is the nation’s largest veteran’s service organization.  Each of its more than 13,000 posts worldwide is committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members, veterans, and their families.

All current military and veterans who served honorably since December 7, 1941 qualify for membership.  To join visit https://friscolegion.com/about/membership.

For questions and more detail, contact Rick Redden at 214-385-0205 or friscolegion.1stvice@gmail.com

American Legion Post 178 Veteran Achieves Milestone

American Legion Post 178 Veteran Achieves Milestone

Fred Rogers, Post 178 Commander, presents veteran Rich Jochem his American Legion 50-year membership pin.

The American Legion 50-Year Pin.

A 50-year anniversary is a milestone for anyone.  It is particularly significant when it involves membership to the American Legion, a military veterans organization.  Rich Jochem, a Post 178 Army veteran, recently celebrated his 50-year anniversary as a member of The American Legion.

Not surprisingly he owns the longest membership tenure of the more than 675 members of Post 178.  Since retirement, he and his wife, Joann, travel both in and out of the country.  He also volunteers at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1963 and the American Legion in 1968.  When asked why he became a member and renewed all those years, he replied “I was proud of my military service and maintaining my membership enabled me to share fellowship with other veterans.”

American Legion Names Speech Contest Winners

American Legion Names Speech Contest Winners

Oratorical Speech Contestants
Left to Right Front Row
Fred Rogers, Post 178 Commander, Anmol Dubey, Liberty High School, Jedaiah Ward, Home Schooled, Emma Ko, Home Schooled, Lakshita Soma, Heritage High School
Back Row
Ed Reed, Post 178 Oratorical Program Chairman, Harbani Kohli, Reedy High School, and Dan Stricklin, Frisco Councilman Elect.

Four high school students from the Frisco area were named winners and received $250 college scholarships at the American Legion Post 178 Oratorical Scholarship Contest.  The competition was held in the Council Chambers at Frisco’s George A. Purefoy Municipal Center on Saturday, December 12.  The four orators will now compete at the district contest in Royse City on January 2, 2021 against other contest winners from the 4th District.

Each contestant delivered a prepared oration as well as an oration on a randomly assigned constitutional topic.  All contestants impressed the judges with their speaking skills and presentation content.

The four winners in alphabetical order were Anmol Dubey, a freshman at Liberty High School, Emma A. Ko, a junior, Home Schooled, Harbani K. Kohli, a junior at Reedy High School, and Jedaiah D. Ward, a freshman, Home Schooled.

Since 1938, The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program has encouraged the nation’s high school students to study the U.S. Constitution and to hone their public speaking skills.

Frisco Area High School Orators Will Compete In the American Legion Post 178 Speech Competition

High school students from the Frisco area will compete for college scholarships in the American Legion Post 178 Oratorical Scholarship Contest.  The competition will take place in the Council Chambers at Frisco’s George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, on Saturday, December 12.

Orators are required to write and memorize an original speech on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government.  There is an additional element of the contest that requires a student to deliver extemporaneous remarks over one of four amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  The specific amendment will be drawn on the day of the competition.

Four winners will be selected to proceed to the district contest in Royse City on January 2, 2021.  They will compete with winners from the other posts in the 4th District.  The contest is open to the public and will begin at 9 a.m.  Admission is free.

Learn more about the American Legion Peter J Courcy Post 178 at friscolegion.org.