American Legion Celebrates 100 Years

(ROCKWALL, TX — March 26, 2019) The oldest nonprofit in Rockwall County – the American Legion Terry Fisher Post 117 – celebrated its 100th birthday and recognized its 21 Texas Boys State/Girls State delegates on Sunday, March 24.

Congrats to the following Rockwall High School, Rockwall-Heath High School and Heritage Christian Academy students who will represent Rockwall County at the Boys State/Girls State programs in Austin this summer:

Kate Blackburn (RHHS); John Burton (RHHS); Des DeHart (RHS); Gracee Drake (HCA); Kaitlyn Florence (HCA); Owen Glasscock (RHS); Elisabeth Hamann (RHS); Sydney Heimer (RHS); Maya Jorif (RHS); Julia Keiser (RHS); Matt Kianpour (RHS); Will Knox (RHHS); Madison Melcher (RHS); Trinity Olmstead (RHHS); Jordan Pabian (RHHS); Thad Pennington (RHS); Matthew Price (RHHS); Bailey Richardson (RHHS); Micah Sanders (RHHS); Levi Seals (RHHS);
Connor Woodfield (RHS)

Post 117 also honored Dr. Bobby Sparks with the Greatest American Award – an award recognizing a non-military citizen who has gone above and beyond in supporting the county’s veterans.

The American Legion came to life in Paris, France, in March 1919, and later in the winter of 1919, a group of Rockwall veterans of the American Expeditionary Forces gathered to form the Terry Fisher Post. The post is named after Private Terry Fisher, USMC, who was the first soldier from Rockwall to die in combat during World War I. Over the past 100 years, the 501(c)3 veterans service organization has committed to strengthening the nation through four pillars of volunteerism: veterans, strong national defense, youth and Americanism. Post 117 has continued to grow its membership and currently has 247 members. This past year, Post 117 was recognized for its efforts across all four pillars of the American Legion with the Texas Department Post Excellence Award.

“We’ve had a great year, but trust me, we are only getting started. We may be 100, but we continue to lead the way for veterans across Rockwall and work every day to make sure we remain a free men and women living in a free nation,” said Post 117 Commander Mark Kipphut.

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Photo by American Legion Terry Fisher Post 117.

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