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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Commander, Fred Rogers [email protected] 1st Vice Commander Thor Anderson [email protected] 2nd Vice Commander, Rob Altman [email protected] Adjutant, Delbert Parsons [email protected] Finance Officer, Terry Meyering [email protected] Historian Bob Sirois [email protected] Chaplain, John Allen [email protected] Service Officer, Kevin Robinson [email protected] Judge Advocate, Paul Jones [email protected] Sergeant-At-Arms David Break [email protected] MEMBERS AT LARGE Stephanie Cleveland [email protected] Larry Marshall Lgm24_8msn.com Ed Mendlik [email protected] James Trombley [email protected] Larry Wilhelm [email protected]
POST PROGRAMS: Legion Riders Matt Ostergaard [email protected] Boy’s State Larry Marshall [email protected] Law and Order Stuart Sax [email protected] Legislative & Voters Reg Rick Redden [email protected] Oratorical Ray Vinson [email protected] School Awards Ted Ruybal [email protected] Scouting: Leonard Havron [email protected] POST COMMITTEES: Audit Paul Jones [email protected] Budget Terry Meyering [email protected] Color Guard Larry Wilhelm [email protected] Fund Raising Greg Gomel [email protected] Honor & Remember Roy Brewer [email protected] Newsletter Terry Meyering, editor/publisher Public Relations Rob Altman [email protected] Training Thor Anderson [email protected] Visitation John Lee [email protected] Wreathes Across America Larry Marshall [email protected]
Jan, 2020 Vol 23
THE AMERICAN LEGION Peter J. Courcy Post 178 Frisco, TX
On Saturday November 9th Sondra Taylor, Troop Lead-er for Plano American Her-itage Girls Troop TX0226, invited Commander Fred Rogers to attend their meet-ing. Pictured above are the 8 girls in attendance. They had many questions about mili-tary service, America’s Armed Forces and wars where our Country has been engaged. One very interest-ing question was... “What is the G.I. Bill?”.
Prior to his arrival they cus-tom made “Thank You” cards for him to deliver to veterans at the two Assisted Living Homes where the Post 178
Color Guard was to be con-ducting ceremonies the week of Veterans Day. Additionally, they made more cards for us to take to the Clyde Cosper Veterans Home in Bonham on December 6 when we delivered clothing items to the veteran residents there.
American Heritage Girls is a Christian based scouting-like organization and Troop TX0228 is an all Home School Troop. As always, the personal reward was great as Fred had the oppor-tunity to interact with these young citizens and their leaders.
AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS
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My personal Best Wishes to each of our Post and Auxiliary members for a pros-perous and happy new year in 2020. The cal-
endar year 2019 was filled with con-tinuous unprecedented membership growth and many achievements – both of which can be directly at-tributed to teamwork and dedication. We have much for which we can be very proud and thankful.
December of each year brings anoth-er milestone for Peter J Courcy Post 178. On December 13, 2013, we held a ‘Meet & Greet’ to recruit members and Post 178 came to life. That was just 6 short years ago and while we are still one of the newest posts in the State, we have matured much faster than our physical age. Follows are a few of our 2019 achievements.
Membership growth once again exceeded all expectations. We are now 526 members strong and well on our way to achieving our membership goals for 2020.
In 2019, we earned both the pres-
tigious National Post Excellence and the Texas Post Excellence Award…less than a hand-full of the 480 Posts in the State earned this award.
Our financial position com-
bined with the help from our Benevolence Committee has allowed us to continue to help veterans and their families in need. We also continue to sup-port the Clyde Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bon-ham
We continued to make a big
difference in the community with our involvement in Amer-ican Legion Programs such as American Legion Riders, Boys State, Law & Order, Legisla-tive, Oratorical, School Awards, Scouting and Voter Registration.
It is notable that our Commit-
tees such as Benevolence, Col-or/ Honor Guard, Fund Rais-ing, Honor & Remember, Member Out-Reach, Public Relations, Training, and Wreaths Across America) are productive and serving the Post remarkably well.
December is not only a time of re-flection on what we have done well…it is also a time to plan our actions for the new calendar year…notice I did not say activi-ties. Actions and activities may sound alike, but they are distinctly different. An activity is when you are busy doing something, but that task will never produce an outcome by itself. An action, on the other hand is an act that will produce a result.
We are a “results oriented” Post and in 2020 we will continue to focus on actions that will make a difference in our community, with our veterans and children & youth.
Thank you for your membership and support of Peter J Courcy Post 178 and for your honorable service to America. It is my honor to serve alongside you.
Fred Rogers
Donna Day, Judi Neebert, Mike Coyne and Fred Dy of US Coast Guard Auxiliary attend-ed our membership meeting on October 17, 2019 where they conducted a Flag-Folding ceremony using the US Flag that had flown on the US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw in honor of our Post 178. They presented the folded flag to Patrick Walker a former Coast Guard member and current member of Post 178 who then in turn presented it to Commander Fred Rog-ers to be secured with other post treas-ures.
COMMANDERS MESSAGE
4TH District Commander Steve Ferrell (center) presents the prestigious Texas Post Excellence Award to Frisco Post 178 Adjutant Delbert Parsons and Royce City Commander Rosa Ortega.
Fred Rogers
Post member Richard Jochem and his wife Auxiliary member, JoAnn, while on vacation in Gibraltar sent us a picture of a Poppy appeal by the Royal British Legion
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By Rob Altman
On December 3, 2019 the Frisco Lakes Veterans Group presented a program to members and residents of Frisco Lakes on their 2019 accom-plishments. One of their proudest accomplishments was the support of
both Texas Boys State and Bluebonnet Girls State; they invited two 2019 delegates to share their story on what attending the program meant to them. Karlene Stelling, Reedy High School, rep-resented Girls State and Preston Cook, Legacy Christian High School, represented Boy State. Both made compelling presentations
Every year the Frisco American Legion, Peter J. Courcy Post, 178 and Auxiliary Unit 178 coordi-nate, organize, and raise funds for students from Frisco area High Schools to attend these events.
Frisco Lakes Veteran’s Group
Karlene Stelling, Girls State delegate from Reedy High School, addresses the Frisco Lakes Veterans Group attendees
Preston Cook, Boys State delegate from Legacy Christian High School, speaks to the Frisco Lakes Veterans Group
Sunday, December 15, 2019, was a bright beautiful sunny day at DFW National Cemetery. On May 7th of this year my pre-cious wife of 32+ years was laid to rest there. I just wanted to go and say “hello” – “I still love you”.
But, sometimes, if you let it, a chance to “serve” will “present itself” right before your eyes… be ready, it is OUR Collective “call to service”. As I was approaching my wife’s marker, I could see a fellow veteran overcome with grief… it’s not hard at this “hallowed place”. I just quietly walked up and said “Hello Army” is everything OK? Obviously, it wasn’t, and he began to share his story of 68 years of marriage and his “great loss”…he was grieving alone.
You don’t have to be a counselor to make a difference. I placed my hand on his shoulder and listened. I shared a word of encouragement and concern… no “pearls of wisdom” … it seemed to make a difference and I made a friend. The Visitation Committee has “endless opportunities” to impact our fellow veterans, their families and the community… if YOU would like to “make a differ-ence” by serving on our Visitation Committee please contact our Chaplin for an “opportunity to assist and serve” … it is time to give back to those who have giv-en so much.
A CALL TO SERVE By John Lee, USN, Visita on Commi ee
John Lee Rob Altman
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Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Texas every summer and held at Texas Lutheran University, Texas Bluebonnet Girls State has achieved 75 years as the premiere leadership learning opportunity for young wom-en. Students are selected and sponsored to attend by a local ALA Unit?to participate in a week of intense, hands-on learning about the workings of our state and local government.
No more than 600 junior girls from across the state will be in-vited to attend each year, con-necting with oth-er Texas students from every walk
of life and background. Attendees have one thing in common: a proven resume of achievement and outstanding potential for leadership.
Girls will ?learn by doing?, about the structure of city, county, state, political party, judicial and legislative government. ?Citizens? will register to vote, run for office, and draft and debate city ordinances and state bills. The week culminates with a trip to the State Capitol in Austin, to meet elected officials and legislate in the House and Senate chambers. Texas Girls State citizens also come home with a new-found respect for flag and country, learning the ceremonies, eti-quettes and solemn observances with which we honor our veterans, our colors, and our Texas and American history.
Frisco is home to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178, which has a fast-growing Girls State program. We are eager to keep up with the demand from the student community for participation in this prestigious learning opportunity demand which is commensurate with the explosive population growth in our area.
It is a firm policy of the American Legion Auxiliary that no student who is invited to attend Texas Girls State may pay her own way. This ensures that partici-pation is based strictly on merit, achievement and char-acter—and never family resources. This means that to send girls from Frisco, ALA Unit 178 must continually fundraise to support the program.
ALA Unit 178 was chartered in 2015, and generously given “starter funds” by a lo-cal company to send three delegates to 2016 Girls State. In 2017, we raised money to send five girls —thanks to City Councilmembers Will Sowell and Shona Huffman, along with a grant from Frisco Wom-en’s League. That fund-
ing also helped jumpstart for the summer 2018 session, and we added grants from Frisco Sunrise Rotary and another from Frisco Women’s League. As a result, in 2018, we were able to sponsor 11 girls representing 11 different high schools.
In 2019, the increase in Girls State participation across the district created significantly more word-of-mouth among students, who then hear about their peers' expe-rience and decide to apply. We received over 60 appli-cants representing 14 different campuses—and ended up sending 18 delegates, our largest group yet, thanks to grants from Frisco Sunrise Rotary, Frisco Wom-en’s League, Frisco Lakes Veterans Association, Councilman Will Sowell, and the Republican Women of Greater North Texas.
For 2020, we are expecting to receive over 75 applica-tions now that all the Frisco ISD high schools have junior classes and recent GS delegates, who are educat-ing their peers about the program.
Reprinted from “Frsico Chamber Advocacy Update”
Sarah, from Centennial High School in Frisco on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives
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Residents of the Sunset Assisted Living Center listen to a medley of military service songs during the Veterans Day program hosted by the Post 178 Color Guard on November 12, 2019
Charter post 178 member Ryan Tighe, home on leave from the USAF led the post in the pledge of allegiance at our November 21st membership meeting. Ryan is the grandson of post adjutant Delbert Parsons and auxiliary secretary Linda Parsons and will be honorably discharged at the end of his leave
Please remember that the most current calendar of upcoming events is maintained on our website at:
https://friscolegion.org/calendar/
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Stephanie Cleveland was born in
Hoisington, KS, grew up in Dunkin, OK, and was living in Altus, OK when she joined the Navy in 1992. She recalled that Oklahoma was mostly Air Force and Army and her town was an Air Force town, so she
was surrounded by USAF. She said, “Being a little competitive, I partly joined the Navy to prove that I could. Also, my family spent a lot of time with my parents’ long-time best friends, Kenneth and Cecilia Richey and Kenneth (who was active duty Navy) always told stories about his service and made it sound so fun and adven-turous. So, when I decided to join the military, I thought that I would rather end up stationed at any Navy base than back in Oklahoma where I had already spent most of my life. I had hoped to get stationed in San Diego, which to me sounded like heaven. I never made it there as a sailor, but went on vacation a few years ago and it was everything Mr. Richey made it sound like!”
Stephanie comes from a long line of military ser-vice members in her family. One grandfather served in the Air Force and another in the Navy, her stepfather was also in the Navy, an uncle served aboard a nuclear submarine for the Navy, her younger brother served in the Coast Guard in the 2000’s, and more recently, her nephew was USAF Para-Rescue and a cousin was US Army Engineering -- both serving in Iraq.
During her basic training, Stephanie tested high in science and engineering and so her next step was to begin her extensive schooling to serve as an avionics calibration technician with a specialty in advanced avionics calibration and microwave technology and depot-level repair. This training had her moving around to half a dozen military bases here in the US: NTTC Orlando FL; NAS Millington, TN; NAS Norfolk VA; NAS Cecil Field FL; NAS Jacksonville, FL; and Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS. Her last duty station was at NAS/NATO Keflavik, Iceland, where she served for almost three years.
She trained with and was stationed with both Navy and Marines and she was the only female in her class and unit until she was transferred to Iceland. Stephanie said, “We did everything from calibrating or repairing the avi-onics for F-14s, F-18s, P-3s, S-3s, several helicopters, some submarines and aircraft carriers; and working on the flight line in both the heat of Florida and the bliz-zards of Iceland. I also trained in firefighting and recon of sensitive and top-secret avionics in the case of downed planes.”
Stephanie had a funny story to share about an incident that happened while she was stationed in Iceland: “As a part of my duties as “Sailor of the Quarter”, I would greet and introduce visiting dignitaries. On this particu-lar day, everyone was in formation in the hangar and I was waiting on someone (I forget who) to arrive at the NATO base in Keflavik. I was in my dress blues and waiting in the foyer, looking through the window to the left of the door. When I saw the dignitary and his entou-
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Member Profile
Stephanie receiving a meritorious service award while stationed at the Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, FL. In 1994
Stephanie Cleveland
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rage, I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open, but the wind caught the door and violently jerked me forward, slamming my head into the wood between the door and the window I had been looking through. I was dazed, but tried to play it off and escort the group into the hangar to the waiting troops. They (kindly) never mentioned it, but I could feel the line of blood that had run down from the top of my forehead. The presenta-tion had already started when I escorted the offic-ers into the hangar, so I couldn’t request permis-sion to be excused. So, I stood at attention along-side the base commander and his guests, in front of the entire command with this bloody wound and a throbbing headache for the next hour or so. Although it seems silly now, back then I was probably more afraid of what would happen if I wasn’t in my assigned spot and hoping that no one would notice … EVERYONE noticed.
Stephanie left the Navy at the end of 1999 with the rank of AT2 (E5), serving 7 years, 9 months. She was awarded the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Com-mendation (2), Marksman Pistol, Overseas Rib-bon (2), Good Conduct (2).
Stephanie has lived in Frisco since 2011. She has 2 children, Zack (26) and Catie (15). She also has 3 dogs (Karl, Ellie, Elizabeth) and 2 cats (Mufasa and Uncle Rico). She has been with her partner, Wafer, for 7 years and he also has 2 children, Me-ghan (25) and Adam (15), and a dog named As-pen. So, between the two of them, they have 4 children, 4 dogs, and 2 cats.
Stephanie is currently a Capture Manager for Lei-
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dos involving business development for Military Health and Veterans Affairs, serves on the City of Frisco Ur-ban Forestry Board, is attending the Leadership Frisco program, and is now a member of the American Legion Executive Board for our Frisco Post 178, which she joined last year along with joining the Auxiliary Unit 178. She used to coach her daughter’s volleyball team, plays volleyball in a recreational league, and likes to read, run, hike, and watch re-runs of “The Office.”
When describing what she thinks “service and duty” means, Stephanie says, “I don’t think service or duty necessarily means or ends with military service. I think it is a matter of always ACTIVELY looking for ways to make a positive impact on a daily basis -- whether that is reaching something on a high shelf at the store for a stranger, helping a friend with a resume, or even finding ways to guard and protect animals and our natural envi-ronment. The best thing we can do is to find ways to get involved in our communities - in person - not just on social media. Don’t worry about being perfect or mak-ing a mistake. Just putting ourselves out there is what is important. The opportunity to serve will present itself!”
By Penny Stewart
Scene of the conditions at Stephnie’s duty station, Keflavik, Iceland
2nd Vice Message By Rob Altman
We seldom talk about individual benefits to our mem-
bers quite simply because we are a service organiza-tion. One of the benefits to membership in our post in-cludes the opportunity to meet and make new friend-ships—To nurture new and old relationships—to cele-brate service to others—and to celebrate seminal events.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the mem-bers of our social committee, specifically Post member David Shasteen and his company Supreme Lending who sponsored this years’ Service Birthday socials. I would like to thank Post member Stephanie Cleveland who orchestrated our December social at the Green Ga-tor. And I would also like to thank those who within the Legion Auxiliary who worked to ensure this years An-nual Dinner at Crest Infinity was a success. Each of you are awesome!
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By Larry Marshall, Wreathes Across America Chair
On Friday, December 13, 2019,
members of The American Le-gion, Frisco Post 178 assisted in distributing approximately 43,400 wreaths to the burial sites
at DFW National Cemetery.
For the fourth year Jonathan Martindale, President of West Texas U-Haul, donated two 20 ft. trucks to assist in distributing the cases of wreaths.
On Saturday, December 14, 2019, thousands of volunteers were present for the fly over and Me-morial Service and then assisted in laying wreaths on all gravesites.
Chris and Mary Bush are coordinators of Wreaths Across America. Mary Bush is the Mother of Pe-ter J Courcy, our Post Namesake, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178. Peter
Larry Marshall
By: Roy Brewer, Commi ee Chair
In September 2019 I was tasked to put to-gether a program to Honor and Remember veterans who are in a hospice home care fa-cility. With the family’s permission, the pur-pose is to recognize an honorably discharged veteran for his/her service and sacrifice, be-fore they leave this life.
Our American Legion Peter J. Courcy Post 178 will pro-vide an Honor Guard detail to fold the flag while reading the meaning of each fold. Once the flag is folded in a tri-angle, it will then be presented to the veteran with a salute, a branch of service pin, and a certificate recognizing the veteran’s faithful service to our Country.
The first Honor and Remember presentation was Dec. 21st, 2019 for a U.S. Air Force CMSgt.,who retired, with 29 years of service.
American Legion Post 178 is working with Mr. Hunt Re-ifschneider, owner/operator of Hunt Leigh Care Homes / Assisted Living & Memory Care of Frisco, Texas.
Questions can be directed to Honor and Remember Com-mittee Chairman Roy Brewer at 772-359-3428 or email him at [email protected].
Honor and Remember
as killed in 2009 in Afghanistan and is buried at DFW National. This is the first year that enough wreaths were donated to have one on every gravesite.
We will need volunteers to return on January 18, 2020 to help pick up the wreaths.
In remembrance of those laid to rest at D/FW National Cemetery: "THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN".
Each year following the placement of wreaths during the Wreaths Across America event at DFW National Cemetary mem-bers of Post and Unit 178 gather for a picture at the grave site
of Peter J Courcy the Post 178 namesake. Pictured are a few of the over 40 Post and Auxiliary members that attended.
Roy Brewer
About this newsletter
This periodic newsletter, produced by the members, for the mem-bers and about the members, is designed to highlight the many activities of Post 178 in support of Veterans, Youth and the Com-munity at large. If you have something you would like to submit for publication, or merely ask a question, please note our contact information below:
15520 Calico Ct. Frisco, TX 75035, 903-216-1514, [email protected]
http://friscolegion.org,
www.facebook.com/ALPOST178TX
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Post 178 has announced the Nomi-
nees for Boys State for 2020. There will be 29 young men interviewing for the opportunity to attend Texas Boys State at the University of Tex-
as in Austin. Of the 29 young men, up to 25 Nom-inees will be selected to attend Texas Boys State. Eleven of the high schools are participating in Boys State this year with 10 high schools in Frisco Independent School District and Legacy Christian Academy.
A special thank you goes out to the Principals, Counselors, and Teachers for their selection of the 2020 nomines and the Nominees' email addresses and phone numbers. FISD and Legacy Christian Academy have been very supportive of the Boys State program.
The nominees have emailed their resumes and name and photo release forms along with their personal phone numbers and personal email ad-dresses. Each Nominee also included one of their parent's personal phone number and personal email address. We always invite the parents to attend the Boys State Orientation and Parents Day at the University of Texas in Austin.
An email requesting the completion of Texas Boys State Application has been sent to all Nominees and each young man will complete the Application and email it to the Boys State Chair which will be sent to Department for their approval.
The Boys State Committee will be meeting on Monday, January 20, 2020 to finalize the inter-view process. We have eight members: Paul Jones, Terry Gilbert, Ed Kelly, Larry Marshall, Marty Martel, Rick Redden, Ted Ruybal, and Lar-ry Wilhelm. We will have two interviewing Com-mittees this year. Three members plus Larry Wil-helm and Larry Marshall will participate in all in-terviews.
The selection of Boy State Delegates will be an-nounced March 16, 2020. Boys State Orientation
will be held on May 18, 2020 and Texas Boys State will be the week of June 7th through June 12th.
We are excited to have another great year of Delegates attending Texas Boys State.
By: Larry Marshall - Boys State Chair
Larry Marshall
The Color Guard presented the colors at 12 events this past quarter. This included a Memorial Service to provide Military Honors for a Navy Veteran, presenting the colors at the Red River Celebrity Soft-
ball Game, JP Morgan, Bonham Veterans’ Home Veter-ans Day Program, Founders Classical Academy, the North Texas Tollway Authority veterans program, and several Frisco Assisted Living Centers, marching in the Frisco Community Parade, Mayor Cheney’s Business Roundtable, and the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl Frisco Bowl.
We currently have 12 members in the Guard and six volunteers to assist by carrying the Armed Forces Ser-vice Flags when needed.
The Color Guard is constantly seeking new members to join this elite group. If you’re interested, please contact me at [email protected].
Submitted by: Larry Wilhelm – Color Guard Chair
Post 178 members David Break, Eric Bonar, Michael Shasteen, Dave Terry and Patrick Walker carry the service flags in leading the Commu-nity Parade on November 9, 2019
Larry Wilhelm
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By Tracy Gamble, ALA Public Rela ons Chair
Auxiliary Unit 178 could not be
more proud of our December news: our own Mary Courcy Bush, who is the coordinator for the DFW
Wreaths Across America program, made us all weep with joy when she shared that in 2019, every veteran’s grave at the DFW National Cemetery was honored and decorated with a Christmas wreath. Congratulations to Mary for all the hard work she has invested over the years in securing sponsors and volunteers for this beautiful program that commemorates our fallen at the holidays.
On December 18, members of our Unit visited the ladies at the Clyde Cosper Texas State Veteran’s
Tracy Gamble
Home for a Christmas tea. In the month prior, we had delivered red hats and decorations so they can enjoy a “Red Hat Tea” twice a month. In December we returned to help the ladies paint small vases to brighten their rooms. We took a set of 12 matching china teacups and saucers and a teapot donated by one of our members, Marianne Riberich, for the ladies to use each time they have their tea party.
Many thanks to our Unit members who attended, in-cluding Cindy Burns, Janice Kenyon, Glena Rogers and Kathy Wons, and special thanks to our Chaplain and Chairman of Veterans Affairs, Vickie Allen, who coordinates these events to help us support the ladies in residence.
Wishing a very happy new year to all our American Legion Family!
JoAnn and Richard Jochem of Post/Unit 178 were among the 8000 volunteers that placed wreaths by each of the 43,400 graves at DFW National Cemetery on Dec 14, 2019
Commander Fred Rogers , Amanda Gilbreath - On-Site Repre-sentative of Clyde Cosper State Veterans Home, Bonham - and Glena Rogers President of ALA Unit 178 as Amanda receives the letters to the Vets submitted by the Plano American Heritage Troop TX0226
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Just an update to let everyone know that we have delivered the Flag Donation Bins to four Frisco Fire Stations.
Citizens of Frisco can now take worn and tattered flags to the following four Frisco Fire Stations;
1) Fire Station #1, on Main Street (Central Frisco)
2) Fire Station #7, Stonebrook & 423 (West Frisco)
3) Fire Station #8,, Rolater and Independence (South/East Frisco)
4) Fire Station #9, Preston and Rockhill (North Frisco)
The donation bins are inside the Fire Stations for safety reasons. You can just take your flags inside and let them know you want to put them in the new awesome bins.
We have also completed work on the Ceremonial Flag Retirement Site at Freedom Meadows.
Frisco now has a complete flag retirement program!
The construction of the Ceremonial Flag Retirement site has been completed and ready for flag retirements. The project was unveiled the day prior to Veterans Day 2019 and is awesome.
I am so thankful to all of the donors that have made this possible.
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT UPDATE By Mathew Miller, Scout Troop 77, Frisco
Scouts from Troop 77 - Cameron Burden, Jared Bedell, Evan Stolba, Matthew Miller, Divesh Gurung, Caleb Brown pose with
one of the Flag Disposal Bins they created
The four Flag Disposal Bins that Mathew and his troop designed and constructed for use through the Frisco area. They are
placed in the four fire stations mentioned above
Mathew Miller and Commander Fred Rogers pose at the Flag Retire-ment site at Freedom Meadows while it was under construction
Mathew Miller
By Rick Redden, Voter Registra on Chair
The Texas Primary Election has been
moved to March 3, 2020 and coincides with Super Tuesday along with 13 other states. Here are some important dates:
Feb 3rd Last day to register to be eligible to vote in the primary Feb 18th First day of early voting Feb 21st Last day to apply for Ballot by Mail Feb 28th Last day or early voting Mar 3rd Primary Election Day and last day to return Ballot by Mail
The ‘Get Out the Vote’ committee will be conducting four voter registration events during January. Please check the Post calendar for the dates and times of those events. If you need a Ballot by Mail application call Rick Redden at 214-385-0205 or email at [email protected]
Rick Redden
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Red River Softball Game
Post & Unit 178 members Al Gibson, Tim Schmidt, Delbert Parsons, Linda Parsons, Fred Rogers, Glena Rogers and John Stammreich en-joying each others company at the Green Gator social on 12/19/19
Luke Bush, brother of Peter J Courcy, sits up front while Mary Kate Troxclair, Shelly Altman, Rob Altman, Bill Kincaid, Bob Sorios and Fred Rogers encircle him during the annual Holiday Dinner on November 16, 2019 at Crest Infinity
Commander Fred Rogers presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Karlene Stelling, 2019 Girls State delegate from Post 178, for her work in the non-profit “Homes For Our Troops”
By John Allen, Chaplain Post 178
On Friday, December 6, Fred Rogers and his wife, Glena, Tim Schmidt, Marty Martel, Dave Break, and John Allen went to the Texas State Veter-an’s home in Bonham, Texas. Fred and Glena delivered 10 boxes of candy to the different supporting staff sec-
tions. Tim, Marty, Dave and John cooked ham-burgers and hot dogs for the residents and staff. . We also delivered approximately $1,100.00 worth of Christmas gifts donated by the Oak Point Ele-mentary in Little Elm and our American Legion Post 178. The Christmas gifts included candy, gripper socks, sweat pants, toiletry items, wheel-chair blankets and letters from all the children at the school. Letting the veterans know someone remembers and cares for them is a very important thing we do.
Chaplains Report
Armando Canales is scheduled for hernia surgery in January. If you would like to send well wishes, his address is 7645 Sable Grove Dr., Frisco 75034.
Ron Bircher had knee replacement surgery recently and is now home recovering. The doctor has restricted him to home until Janu-ary 6, 2020 and he could use a little cheer from us. Ron is a Charter Member of Post 178, a past Post Officer and has 32 years ten-ure in The American Legion. If you would like to send a card with well wishes his address is: Ron Bircher, 312 Montague Lane, Frisco 75036
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By David Grandfield, Scoutmaster, Troop
178
This quarter the
scouts of Troop 178 have participated in several activities. In early November the
Troop participated in an event called Webelos Outdoor Week-end at Beautiful Camp James Ray in Pottsboro, Tx. Abbreviated as WOW, it is an awesome oppor-tunity for Webelos (and their par-ents) to experience some of the fun that they can look forward to once they become Boy Scouts. Dens will rotate through activities in order to learn a variety of dif-ferent outdoor and Boy Scout skills. They will also and put them into practice back at their campsites. The webelos scouts, webelos stands for “WE’ll Be Loyal Scouts”, and Boy Scouts work together throughout the day as combined patrols while partici-pating in the various activities. These activities include Archery, BB Guns, Tomahawk Throwing, Learning to Start and Maintain a fire safely, First Aid and Cook-ing. This event also allows the Webelos who are about to move up to Boy Scouts, the opportunity to complete requirements needed to earn their Arrow of Light which is one of only two awards that they can continue to wear on the Boy Scout Uniform. Many future Boy Scouts form opinions about which troop they will join while participating in the We-
belos Outdoor Weekend, so this was an important event for the troop. As such I made sure to pre-pare a Troop 178 favorite of Campfire Chili which was a defi-nite hit for the Adults. Our two patrols, Loading and Black Stal-lion, prepared meals for the visit-ing webelos who had their pick of items for each meal.
Later in November Troop 178 cel-ebrated it’s 5-year anniversary. We all met at Lake Bonham State Park and had a great time on Sat-urday. This event is designed to provide the parents an opportunity to see what camping in the Troop is all about. The boys can show what they have learned in an envi-ronment that is very familiar to them.
Parents and siblings are often amazed to see what their scout has learned and able to do. Many do not realize that the scouts know how to make good food while camping or are so knowledgeable on where and how-to setup a tent.
While there the boys prepared the meals for everyone, started the campfire and provided entertain-ment throughout the day including
taking the parents and siblings on a hike around the lake.
Finally, in December Troop 178 attended Winter Camp and Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Reservation out-side Athens, TX. Winter Camp pro-vides an event where the scouts can participate in Merit Badge Classes and a multitude of other outdoor activities. Some of these include Mountain Man, Indian Village and Cowboy Action Shooting and More. Every evening there is an activity including an opening bonfire
with skits from the camp staff, Na-tive American Dancing Demonstra-tions and a Closing campfire where each Troop can perform their favor-
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ite skits. Troops camp together in campsites to introduce them to jamboree style camping which encourages troops to mingle and get to know each other. The troops in our campsite decided to have a Dutch Oven Dessert Cooking competition. You should be proud to know that Troop 178 earned the coveted title of Winter Camp Cooking Champs thanks to our Senior Pa-trol Leader who won with a Chocolate Cake topped with dol-lops of chocolate frosting, each topped with a cherry and all sprinkled with shredded coconut and crumbled Oreo cookies and drizzled with Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Syrup.
Let it always be known that Troop 178 eats well and plays hard! Until next time…
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community sharing our post. We also were busy in the community with voter registration drive, the Frisco Parade, and the Frisco Bowl on January. Our school awards program is going strong into the second semester thanks to Ed, and Boys State committee is busy in-terviewing our next group of out-standing young men. We ask that each of you continue spreading the word of our post and remember to ask to join us. We can not contin-ue to grow without you.
We will be setting up a member-ship table at the Collin County Veterans Job fair in February and we are working on additional events to increase new members as we keep our current membership engaged.
We are currently at 93% of our membership goal and have re-newed 79% of last years members. If you know of any members who have not yet renewed, please feel free to give them a call.
It is an honor to serve each and everyone of you! Thank you!
as T-CLOCS from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. T-CLOCS stands for Tires and Wheels, Con-trols, Lights and Electrics, Oil and Fluids, Chassis, and Stands. It’s a positive safety habit that gets riders where they are going, safely.
There are a lot of variables prevent-ing us from achieving our resolu-tions every year. But there is one something we can do to make sure we do: create and perform positive habits, just like riders do when they perform T-CLOCS. Creating habits take time – give yourself the time and space be successful – and have a great ride.
As we close out
another amazing year for Peter J Courcy Post 178 I want to thank all of
you for your support of our post and the American Legion as a whole. We have had a busy fall with membership drives at the Frisco Gun Club, Merry Main Street and members out in the
1st Vice Commander
Thor Anderson By Ma Ostergaard, Captain, Post 178 ALR
I was reminded the other day of the power of perform-ing positive habits. Riders learn an im-portant habit early: performing the pre-ride inspection known
Post 178 Color Guard members Terry Gilbert, Larry Wilhelm and Ted Ruybal present the Colors to open the JP Morgan-Chase "Veterans Celebration of Service and Fireside Chat “ featuring Roger Staubach. The pro-gram honored employees of the company who had served in the military.
The 2019 delegates from Post 178 to Texas Boys State were introduced to the Frisco ISD Board members and staff on November 11, 2019. A total of 22 boys from Frisco attend-ed the 1-week Boys State session at the University of Texas, Austin in June, 2019
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Post 178 was recognized by the Frisco Independent School Board for our "…support, dedication and service to the students and staff of the FISD”. Pictured are L - R; Sharon White, FISD Commu-nity Outreach Liaison, Fred Rogers, Post 178 Commander, Chad Rudy, President FISD Board and Mike Waldrip, Superintendent FISD.
Carl Patterson is presented a Certificate of recognition for his 20 Continuous Years of membership in The American Legion. Carl is an Air Force veteran having served in Viet Nam
Post 178 Color Guard preparing to present the Colors at the open-ing ceremony for the Red River Celebrity Softball Classic at Dr. Pepper Arena on Thursday October 10, 2019
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Post 178 is looking for sponsors
to off-set the cost of printing and publishing this newsletter and other information pieces distrib-uted to our membership and the community at large. Sponsor-ship will consist of display type advertising; either business cards, 1/2 page or full page dis-plays.
Pricing will be:
BUSINESS CARDS: $25.00 per issue or $75/yr (4 quar-terly issues)
ONE HALF PAGE: $175 per
SPONSORS WANTED issue or $525/yr (4 quarter-ly issues)
FULL PAGE: $250 per issue or $750/yr (4 quarterly is-sues) for full page.
These spaces will be offered on first-come-first-served basis with preference going to Post mem-bers. Total advertising space will be limited to the equivalent of 2 pages.
If you are aware of an individual or business interested in sup-porting our needs through this sponsorship program please contact Terry Meyering at [email protected], or 972-998-9993
