by larryw | May 22, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
Post 178 Boys State delegates pose for a group photo after completing the orientation meeting
Post 178 Boys State Committee members recently completed its annual orientation for the 24 Boys State delegates who will represent 12 Frisco ISD high schools and 1 independent school in Austin at the University of Texas in June. The orientation was held at the Frisco ISD district office.
Larry Wilhelm, Boys State Committee Chairman, said “The purpose of the orientation is to provide information that helps the delegates know what to expect during the five-day program. It also allows both the delegates and their parents to ask questions that improves their understanding of the program.”
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 2024 selected young men, Post 178 has sponsored 201 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 | May 22, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
Peter J Courcy Post 178 recently presented American Legion JROTC medals for scholastic and military excellence at three area high school awards ceremonies: Lebanon Trail, Rock Hill, and Lake Highlands.
 (L-R) At Lebanon Trail High School, Cadet Lieutenant Abhigna Yella accepts the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal from Ed Reed, Post Commander, Bill Drake, Post Executive Committee Member, and Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Lead Naval Science Instructor. |
 (L-R) At Lebanon Trail High School, Cadet Ensign Dan Sahaya accepts the American Legion Military Excellence Medal from Ed Reed, Post Commander, Bill Drake, Post Executive Committee Member, and Major Gary Billings, USMC, Retired, Lead Naval Science Instructor. |
 At Rock Hill High School, Cadet Sergeant Soumika Annam accepts the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal from Joanne Schumm, Vice Commander – Post Activities. |
 At Rock Hill High School, Cadet First Sergeant Chloe T. Tardiff accepts the American Legion Military Excellence Medal from Larry Wilhelm, Post Executive Committee Member. |
(L-R) At Lake Highlands High School, Cadet Staff Sergeant Alizada Aila accepts the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal from Bill Drake, Post Executive Committee Member. Cadet Staff Sergeant Marcos Limon accepts the American Legion Military Excellence Medal from Terry Gilbert, Vice Commander – Programs.
Post Commander Ed Reed, Bill Drake, Post Executive Committee Member, Larry Wilhelm, Post Executive Committee Member, Joanne Schumm, Vice Commander – Post Activities, and Terry Gilbert, Vice Commander -Programs, presented American Legion certificates and JROTC medals to six distinguished JROTC cadet.
The mission of the JROTC Army and Navy programs is to motivate young cadets to become better citizens and effective leaders. The teaching goals of both the JROTC programs and the Post 178 Americanism programs have identical focuses: leadership, teamwork, personal responsibility, a sense of accomplishment, and service to the nation. American values and patriotism are also highlighted.
Classique Jewelers, a longtime Post 178 supporter, engraved the medals.
by larryw | May 20, 2024 | American Legion Post 178, Color Guard
Photos Courtesy of John Brady
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the American Legion Post 178 Color Guard and cadets from the Lebanon Trail Navy National Defense Cadet Corps presented our Nation’s Colors and Service Flags at the 34th Lone Star Corvette Classic at the Marriott DFW Hotel and Golf Club.
Color Guard veterans included Terry Gilbert, Larry Wilhelm, Thor Anderson, and Bill Drake. Cadets that attended were Cadet Ensign Avi, Cadet Seaman Adhya Pathangey, Cadet Seaman Jackson Hillier, Cadet Seaman Aanve Pathangey, Cadet PO2 Ian Willink, Cadet Ensign Peter Eliopoulos and Cadet PO3 Jashwanth Bandlamudi.
The Classic is a major event of the Lone Star Corvette Club, which was founded in 1982 and has over 1,200 members in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Proceeds benefit the Speedway Children’s Charities and The National Corvette Museum.
The Classic was a two-day event. On Friday there is an opportunity for parade laps at one of North Texas’ premier tracks, Eagles Canyon Raceway. On Saturday, the day was full of sun, great cars, and wholesome fun. It started with a car show at the parking lot and ended with dinner, awards, and a live auction.
by larryw | May 9, 2024 | American Legion Post 178, Memorial
On April 26, 2024, a little over two years after Colonel Bernard Leo “Bunny” Talley, Jr. (USAF, Retired) left us, he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, a fitting tribute for a remarkable American patriot.
Colonel Bernard Talley’s story is one of faith, courage, and strength in the face of great adversity. Spending 7 years as a POW he never gave up or gave in and continued to stand firm in the faith of his youth as he met the opposition and rallied together with other brave Americans.
Colonel Talley was an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. As was stated in his obituary, Colonel Talley and his fellow 565 POW “returnees” exemplified faith, duty, and an indomitable spirit in the face of incredible adversity which resulted in each of these extraordinary men returning with honor—something their captors never took from them.
The following 5-minute video captures a solemn military tribute featuring the playing of Taps, a seven-gun rifle salute, and the ceremonial folding of an American flag. https://vimeo.com/943345638?share=copy
by larryw | May 8, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
Although in 1944 the war continued in the Pacific, the free world took a moment to pause and celebrate a victory that had pushed back forces trying to subjugate much of Europe and the United Stated to the ideology of fascism.
“The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of freeborn men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our armies of liberation have restored freedom to those suffering peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressor could never enslave.”
– President Harry S. Truman, V-E Day Proclamation
by larryw | Apr 26, 2024 | Community, Events
Post 178 members are invited to attend the Welcome Home Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 7:00PM at Warren Sports Complex, 7599 Eldorado Pkwy Frisco, TX 75034 . Plan to arrive a few minutes early to secure parking and your reserved seats.
WELCOME HOME OPENING CEREMONY DETAILS:
- Keynote Speaker will be Major General James Livingston, Medal of Honor, USMC, (RET)
- Traditional Vietnamese Lion/Dragon Dance
- Candlelight Remembrance
- TAPS on Bagpipes at Sunset (8 & 12pm)
- A Military Inspired Drone Show (8:30pm)
by larryw | Apr 23, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
GRAND PARK (7275 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco) – 24HR ACCESS
Tuesday | April 30, 2024
10:30AM: Escort Riders & Vehicles assemble at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial
11:45AM: Safety brief with Escort Captain, Tom Ussery
12:00PM: Escort departs
12:30PM: Flag Line assembles at Grand Park to welcome procession
1:00PM: Approximate time of escort procession and TWTH truck arrival to Grand Park
**After arrival to exhibit site: Group Photo of Escort Riders
See Full Route
Wednesday | May 1, 2024
8:30 AM: Assemble The Wall that Heals
6:00 PM: Volunteer Training
Thursday | May 2, 2024
12:00 AM: The Wall that Heals Opens for Viewing – 24 Hours a Day
1:00 PM: Group Tour
2:00 PM: Group Tour
3:00 PM: Group Tour
4:00 PM: Group Tour
7:00 PM: Opening Ceremony
8:12 PM: TAPS at Sunset
Book Group Tour
Friday | May 3, 2024
12:00 AM: The Wall that Heals Opens for Viewing – 24 Hours a Day
8:00 AM: Group Tour
9:00 AM: Group Tour
10:00 AM: Group Tour
11:00 AM: Group Tour
1:00 PM: Group Tour
2:00 PM: Group Tour
3:00 PM: Group Tour
4:00 PM: Group Tour
8:13 PM: TAPS at Sunset
Book Group Tour
Saturday | May 4, 2024
12:00 AM: The Wall that Heals Opens for Viewing – 24 Hours a Day
8:00 AM: Group Tour
9:00 AM: Group Tour
10:00 AM: Group Tour
11:00 AM: Group Tour
1:00 PM: Group Tour
2:00 PM: Group Tour
3:00 PM: Group Tour
4:00 PM: Group Tour
8:13 PM: TAPS at Sunset
Book Group Tour
Sunday | May 5, 2024
12:00 AM – 2:00 PM: The Wall that Heals Opens for Viewing
8:00 AM: Group Tour
9:00 AM: Group Tour
10:00 AM: Group Tour
11:00 AM: Group Tour
2:00 PM: Closing Ceremony; The Wall that Heals is Closed
Each tour group is guided by a VVMF staff member through the Mobile Education Center and The Wall. That tour plus allowing time to ask questions of the guide, lasts approximately 40-45 minutes. Tours can be shortened slightly to accommodate group/class schedules.
by larryw | Apr 18, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
 (L-R) Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander, presented Neil Farren, owner of Strikz Entertainment in Frisco, a certificate of appreciation. |
 (L-R) Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander, accepts from Neil Farren, a $1000 donation to the Courcy Post 178 Foundation from the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL). |
Mr. Neil Farren is a true friend of Post 178. He has allowed the Post 178 Executive Committee to meet at Strikz Entertainment, a family owned and entertainment center in Frisco, for many years…at no cost. The Executive Committee recently agreed that his service to Post 178 deserved recognition. He attended the April 15 Membership Meeting and was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a Post 178 coin.
To all attendees’ complete surprise, after receiving his appreciation certificate and coin, he presented a $1000 donation from the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) to the Courcy Post 178 Foundation.
BVL’s mission is a simple one – to brighten the lives of veterans each day. Since 1942, bowling centers, bowlers and sponsors have raised more than $56 million for BVL to support veterans by funding recreation therapy programs at veterans’ hospitals, clinics, and community-based counseling centers.
by larryw | Apr 18, 2024 | American Legion Post 178
(L-R) Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander, presents Post 178 member Batson Stevens certificates of appreciation from national headquarters and Post 178.
A 60-year continuous membership anniversary is a significant milestone. It is particularly significant when it involves membership to the American Legion.
Batson Stevens, a Post 178 member and U.S. Air Force veteran, recently celebrated 60-years continuous membership. Not surprisingly, he has the longest membership tenure of the more than 440 members of Post 178.
(L-R) Ed Reed, Post 178 Commander, presents Post 178 member Batson Stevens his American Legion 60-Year continuous membership pin.
He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1964 and served during the Vietnam War. He has been a Post 178 member for four years since transferring from Post 551 in Lake Charles, LA, in 2020. He joined the Legion during his early twenties.
