by larryw | Nov 17, 2021 | Press Release, Recognitions
(L-R) Delbert Parsons accepts the gavel from Immediate Past Commander Fred Rogers after taking the oath of office . Photo by Ed Reed.
At its general membership meeting on November 15, 2021, Delbert Parsons was elected the new Post 178 Commander. Commander Parsons will serve until June 2022.
Commander Parsons is a charter member of Post 178. He served as Adjutant from 2015 to 2021. In 2018, he was presented the annual Jimmy D. Lemley Award for Outstanding Texas State Adjutant by then State Commander John Hince.
Immediate Past Commander Fred Rogers officiated the officer election and administered the installation ceremony. Rogers said “Commander Parsons will continue to provide the leadership of Post 178 and its fine tradition of serving veterans, youth, Frisco and surrounding communities as it has done since it was chartered in 2014.”
Commander Parsons served in the U.S. Marines from 1959 to 1963. He completed boot camp in San Diego and served in the 5th Marine Division. In December, he and Linda, who serves as the Auxiliary Unit 178 treasurer, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. They have two daughters whose sons are both veterans.
Welcome aboard Commander Parsons!
by larryw | Nov 14, 2021 | Color Guard, Community, Recognitions
The Frisco High School Choir, and Orchestra and American Legion Post 178 Color Guard presented a Veterans Day tribute to honor local area veterans.
The program included patriotic songs which were led by Julie Daniels, Director FHS Orchestras. Post 178 Chaplain James Schaub gave the invocation and benediction. The Post 178 Color Guard presented and retired the Nation’s colors. Larry Wilhelm, Color Guard Captain, and Ted Ruybal concluded the program with the POW/MIA remembrance service.
The program honored and listed the names of the eleven young men who lived in Frisco who have been killed in action since World War I. Each is honored at the Veterans Memorial in Frisco Commons with a plaque at the Wall of Honor, as well as a trail marker describing their service.
The eleventh soldier listed was Corporal Peter John Courcy, U.S. Army – Operation Enduring Freedom, who was killed in action on February 10, 2009, in Afghanistan. He was 22 years old. Because Peter had attended Frisco High School, a special tribute honored him.
Peter J Courcy is the namesake of Post 178.
by larryw | Nov 11, 2021 | Community, Recognitions
(L – R) Opening remarks by Master of Ceremonies Vice Commander Ed Reed, the Honorable Forrest Beadle, Commander – Post 71 in Denton and keynote speaker, and Immediate Past Commander Fred Rogers. Not included is Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney.
A Veterans Day Ceremony to celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice was held at the Frisco Veterans Memorial in Commons Park. The ceremony, which was hosted by the American Legion Post 178, included special guests Post 178 Past Commander Fred Rogers, Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney, and the Honorable Forrest Beadle.
Commander Rogers recognized Mr. Burnett L. Sutter who attended the ceremony. He is a US Army World War II veteran who 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. When he reached his 100th birthday earlier this year, Post 178 awarded him an Honorary Life Membership. Mr. Sutter became the most senior of the six World War II veterans in the post.
Mayor Cheney recognized Lee Mybren for being selected Frisco’s 2021 Distinguished Veteran. Mr. Myrben honorably served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation technician from 1955 to 1977. During that time, he served six tours aboard aircraft carriers, three of which were in direct support of combat forces during the Vietnam War.
The keynote speaker was Judge Forrest Beadle who presides over the Denton County Criminal Court 3. Judge Beadle served as a U. S. Army tank commander from 1994 to 2001. He currently also serves as Commander of American Legion Post 71 in Denton. Judge Beadle spoke about the importance of veterans giving back after their military service. He shared a personal story about a close friend and fellow veteran who after several war zone tours struggled with suicide caused by PTSD. He also shared successes resulting from the implementation of the Denton County Veterans Treatment Court.
The American Legion Post 178 plans to annually host the Veterans Day Ceremony to honor area veterans and their families for their service.
by larryw | Nov 11, 2021 | American Legion Post 178, Community, Recognitions
Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect of our veterans.
This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country’s service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” to account for all veterans in all wars.
Today we continue to celebrate the day as Veterans Day, still recognizing the original tie with November 11. That means Veterans Day is on the same day every year — November 11 — regardless of on which day of the week it falls. When the date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, government officials or businesses may recognize it on both the official day and the following Monday.
We celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
by larryw | Nov 10, 2021 | Marine Corps, Recognitions
The U.S. Marine Corps Birthday celebrates the history, memory of those who served before and rekindles the bond that unites all generations of Marines. It is a celebration of the profound respect for the Marine Corps traditions and reverence of the heritage that distinguishes the Corps of Marines.
The Marine Corps birthday will take place on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. The Marine Corps turns 246 years old. The birthday itself was formally recognized in 1921 at the behest of Major General John Lejeune, who ordered November 10, 1775, to be officially recognized service wide as the Marine Corps birthday.
The origins go back to the Revolutionary War in October of 1775. At that time, the Continental Congress developed an official plan to use Marines to oversee a mission to intercept ammunition shipments from Britain. This, and a November resolution to create an official standing Marine Corps force, were key in building what eventually became the modern U.S. Marine Corps. Thus November 10, 1775, the day the Continental Marines were created serves as the official Marine Corps birthday.
by larryw | Nov 9, 2021 | Community, Recognitions
(L-R) Superintendent Mike Waldrip, Rene Archambault, Board President, Larry Wilhelm and Terry Gilbert, Post 178 Executive Committee members, Sharon White, Community Outreach Liaison.
The Frisco Independent School District Board of Trustees recognized the contributions of the American Legion Post 178 to the district at their November 8 meeting. Allison Miller, Director – Frisco ISD Community Relations provided information about the post’s efforts and programs involving FISD students. Post 178 Executive Committee members Terry Gilbert and Larry Wilhelm attended the meeting and received a Certificate of Appreciation from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mike Waldrip.
Director Miller noted that since its charter in 2014, Post 178 has been a proud partner of the Frisco Independent School District. The post’s more than six hundred members has actively supported the education, mentoring, and provision of patriotic and wholesome programs that afforded growth opportunities to a new generation of Americans.
Additionally, she shared that Post 178 has had an ongoing commitment to its students by offering programs such as Texas Boys State, Oratorical Speech Contest, scouting, college scholarships, student voter registration, and flag education. Its Color Guard also has actively presented the Nation’s Colors at numerous school events. Lastly, she commented that the district appreciated the post’s past support and looked forward to an even stronger partnership in the future.
