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Month: December 2025

Wreaths Across America & Mission BBQ

Just found out about this:

Wreaths Across America and MISSION BBQ Kick-off 2025 American Heroes Cup Campaign

MISSION BBQ locations nationwide to donate a portion of Heroes Cup sales to support locally interred servicemembers, and their families.

Last year, MISSION BBQ customers raised $352,930 for WAA through its American Heroes Cup campaign, sponsoring the placement of more than 20,760 veterans’ wreaths in memory of our nation’s servicemembers – these wreaths will be placed by volunteers from more than 140 participating locations this year on National Wreaths Across America Day – Sat., December 13, 2025. Please scroll down for our MTVC event time and directions.

Starting on Wed., November 12, through the end of 2025, for every American Heroes Cup purchased at any of MISSION BBQ’s 156 locations for $4.99, $2 will be donated to WAA to sponsor veterans’ wreaths for placement in December 2026.

Through December 31, 2025, proceeds from the American Heroes Cups will be donated to WAA. Customers are encouraged to bring their American Heroes Cup on return visits to the restaurant to receive refills for $1.49. To find a MISSION BBQ location near you, visit https://mission-bbq.com/locations

Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery’s Wreaths Across America program is in full swing!

Results 2025 So Far

9,123 Wreaths Sponsored
63.4% to Goal
5,277 To Go!

Get directions – 7931 McCrory Lane (exit 188 off of I-40 )
Nashville, Tennessee 37221 United States

Please join us for Our Wreaths Across America Remembrance and Honor Program at the Cemetery Chapel on December 13, 2025 at 11:00 am.  Wreath Placement will follow immediately after the conclusion of the ceremony and TAPS is sounded by the bugler.

To sponsor wreaths for our location, please visit: Wreathsacrossamerica.org/ and scroll down this page to the supporting Sponsorship Groups. Purchasing via one of these groups provides a larger impact for your donation. For more information email abrownwaatn@gmail.com

November 2025 Post Regular Meeting

Post 281 Minutes for 11 NOV , Veterans Day, a day full of activities.

Total Present 37

Officer present:     7

Regular members 20

Visitors, first time members 10

Minutes for 11 NOV 2025 regular post meeting, recorded 3 DEC 2025.  

Last minute, unforeseen circumstance with Mt. Juliet, Parks and Rec folks closing down the Community Center for Veteran’s Day, forced our normally scheduled Legion meeting outdoors into the Farmers Market pavilion as a last-minute decision on where to meet, considering that a large group of our members would be gathering and expecting to meet in our normal meeting room at the Charlie Daniels Community Center. These awesome guys and gals stayed with us, for an abbreviated meeting, enduring the cold temps and the cold pizza and warm soft drinks, for what turned out to be close to an hour. 1st Vice Jeff Mattingly met everyone at the park entrance and advised them of the last-minute changes and directed them to where to park, if they wanted to stay. We had a Quilts of Honor presentation to make with Mr. Joe Rosensenski, presented to him in his niece’s car, and then hear from the Green Hills JROTC Cadet leadership in their fundraising events. All totaled, we had 37 in attendance, including a visit from Legion Post 15’s, Commander, Chris Beadle.

Several members turned around at the gate to the park when they were advised of the changes and given the option to return home due to the cold.   

Officially convened at 1750 , with CDR Ward standing on a picnic table bench and whistling to get everyone’s attention.    CDR Ward announced that we would hold an abbreviated meeting, wanting to address up and coming issues that were scheduled for the post and to welcome those whom were visiting.       

Intended Agenda for the meeting was:

 11 Nov 2025 Charlie Daniels Park, Mt. Juliet,  Community Center/Conference Room Bravo, food and camaraderie at 5:30 PM, meeting starts at 6:00 PM

Meeting protocol:  Welcome guest and all members in attendance

Recognize FMR CDRS and Guest    (Chris Beadle, CDR Post 15 Lebanon and Mr. Reosenski and neice)

Adopt minutes as post on 9 Nov on the website

New members,

Update from Mt. Juliet HS, JROTC

Two Quilts of Valor Presentation ,   WWII Vet Joe Reosenski and former post CDR Hightower.   Family members are invited.  (Postscript, FCDR Hightower was called and advised of the change of venue and given the opportunity to not attend, considering the conditions at the outdoor pavilion being cold.  He is rescheduled to be awarded his Quilt of Valor at the January 13th meeting. )   The presenter will be the Tennessee Coordinator for the QOV Foundation – Robert Saint John,  assisted by member John Herko.

Guest Speaker, VVA Chapter 1089. Disabled Veterans Mobility Chairman Assistance Chairman,  Phil LaPrad,  to be primary Speaker.   (Call and advised of changes and schedule to present to the post on 13 Jan 26)

CDR:   Discus

6 DEC Wilson Warriors Special Breakfast at the Lebanon National Guard Armory, 0800.   Post 281 HG to receive special recognition for their service to the community.   NO COST, but donations will be accepted

9 DEC Annual Post Banquet at the Rutland Center, starting at 6:00 PM, Speaker is Lebanon’s Mayor, Rick Bell .    Doors open at 5:30 PM

13 DEC Mt. Juliet Cmas Parade,  

20 DEC, Wreaths Across America,  David Hale to update. (post script, updated to date for this event is now 13 DEC and NOT 20 Dec…. recorded by T Ward/ 8 DEC 25)

Post Officers Reports:

1st Vice/2nd Vice/ADJ/FO/SO/Chap-Sick Call/HG/ALR/

OLD Business

Next meeting :   9 DEC  Annual Christmas Banquet. Rutland Center,   

Meeting adjourned at 1820.  

Wilson Warriors

The breakfast is open to Veterans and all Active Duty Military and First Responders.

Donations are Welcome!

Wilson Warriors was formed years ago to help veterans who could not afford paying the fee to have their names placed on the walls at the Veterans Plaza.

Several of our Post 281 Honor Guard members will be in attendance. Hope to see you there!