by larryw | Mar 29, 2022 | Anniversary
Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families and is part of a national effort to recognize the men and women who were denied a proper welcome upon returning home more than 40 years ago.
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, which was signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It is not an official holiday. Most states celebrate “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” on March 29 or 30 of each year. Though there is some debate, March 29 is generally viewed as a more appropriate date. On that day in 1973, the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived on American soil.
Lasting from 1955 to 1975, the Vietnam war engulfed the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam, as well as its neighboring countries, Cambodia and Laos. It resulted in several million deaths, most of whom were Vietnamese civilians. The conflict began during the 1950s when the struggle between the country’s communist northern part and the anti-communist south escalated. The United States began its military involvement to back the South’s effort to quell the communist onslaught, which, at the height of the Cold War, was feared to promote the spread of communist ideology and influence worldwide. During the war, about 500,000 US troops were dispatched to Southeast Asia, about 58,000 of whom were killed. The conflict ended in 1975 with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam.
More than 350 members of American Legion Post 178 are Vietnam veterans.
by larryw | Mar 25, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
National Medal of Honor Day on March 25th recognizes all Medal of Honor recipients.
On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented the first Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of the “Andrews Raiders” for their volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of 1862.
Created in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor. It is awarded only to US military personnel by the President of the United States in the name of Congress for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: one for the Army, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version.
Since its creation, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coastguardsmen.
Two Medal of Honor recipients are interred at the DFW National Cemetery: Candelario Garcia, (1944-2013) for action in the Vietnam War, and James L. Stone (1922-2012) for action in the Korea War.
by larryw | Mar 15, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
March 15, the designated birthday of The American Legion, is the day in 1919 when the first American Legion caucus, held by members of the American Expeditionary Force, convened in Paris. Much as the birthday of the United States is celebrated on July 4 – for the day in 1776 when revolting patriots declared the independence of the British colonies and the spirit of America was born – March 15 is the date on which the Legion came to life.
The American Legion is a Veterans Service Organization, also known as a VSO. It is “the nation’s largest” wartime veterans service organization. It is a nationwide VSO that offers a large number of local programs as well as national efforts to support wounded warriors and their families. It is a non-partisan and non-profit organization that participates in fundraising, activism, and advocacy for veterans, and has a grass-roots effort to get the attention of lawmakers in Washington D.C. It is run on volunteer efforts and its success “depends entirely” on its volunteers.
Its purposes are described in its preamble:
- To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America
- To maintain law and order
- To foster and perpetuate 100% Americanism
- To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars
- To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation
- To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses
- To make right the master of might
- To promote peace and goodwill on earth
- To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy
- To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness
by larryw | Mar 13, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
National K9 Veterans Day, March 13, is a day set aside to honor commemorate the service and sacrifices of American military and working dogs throughout history.
It was on March 13, 1942, that the Army began training for its new War Dog Program, also known as the “K-9 Corps,” according to American Humane, marking the first time that dogs were officially a part of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Military Working Dogs are a vital part of today’s fighting force. With built-in radar, they can smell out trouble that no human or man-made device can.
Today’s military dogs are valued as important members of their military units and even have their own retirement ceremonies, awards and medals, and memorial services.
by larryw | Mar 3, 2022 | American Legion Post 178
The U.S. Navy Reserve celebrates its birthday every March 3. Formed in 1915 in response to the outbreak of World War I, the Navy Reserve made up almost 84 percent of the Navy’s fighting force during the war. Among its ranks were five future U.S. Presidents and 15 recipients of the Medal of Honor. The Navy Reserve has since had reservists serve in every major war in which the United States has fought.
On any day, 25 percent of the Navy Reserve is delivering global operational support to the fleet and combat forces. The Reserve has seen over 70,000 mobilizations of Selected Reservists since September 11, 2001, and more than 4,500 deployments by reservists serving on Full-Time Support.
Today, over 100,000 reservists serve as either the Selected Reserve (SELRES) or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Sailors. Reservists serve to amplify the Navy’s core capabilities, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.
