It is that time of year again for the Auxiliary Tree Sale in Mt. Juliet. This year ordering and payment will be available to you online. Since this is a new system we are using, I apologize for any discrepancies we may encounter. Please go to https://ala281.square.site to place your order and make payment. Last day to place an order is April 4, 2026. If you have questions, please contact me at alatn281@gmail.com. Once I have received your online order, I will send you a confirmation number. As in the past, it is important that you bring this confirmation number with you at pickup. The pickup date is Saturday, April 18 between 8:30am and 12:30pm. Please put this date on your calendar and try to be prompt.
Our cost increased this year from $30.00 to $32.00 per tree. This, however, does include your processing fee for credit card use.
The only refunds we will be issuing this year will be for trees ordered and paid for but not available from our supplier. We ask that you make sure when the trees are loaded into your vehicle that the count is correct. Our helpers will make every effort to load the correct number, but it is also your responsibility to verify the count. You will not be issued a refund if you get home and find your order was shorted. If you find that you received more stock than you paid for, please be kind and let us know as someone else could come up short. All of that being said, we look forward to supplying you with some great shrubs and trees again this year and hope that you will once again support our Auxiliary fundraiser. As in the past, some of the funds will be used to send local 11th grade girls to Tennessee Volunteer Girls State (an Auxiliary program designed to empower young women to become great leaders and responsible citizens and to learn about our government and how laws are enacted). Remaining funds will be used to support our Veterans and to promote patriotism in our community in any way we can.
Reviewed, Approved By: COMMANDER Terry Ward, POST 281, Tyler Cates, Dept of TN
CONVENED: _ 1802___ ADJOURNED: __1930___
MEMBERS PRESENT: _24_VISITORS: _1_POSTOFFICERS:_6_TOTAL: _31_
ASSEMBED
At 1730 hrs., the doors of the Charlie Daniels Community Center were opened for food and fellowship. The Sergeant-at Arms, Mike Adams, provided pizza and soft drinks for members and guests.
OPENING CEREMONY
At 1802 CMDR Ward called the Post to order and offered prayer, followed by placement of the POW/MIA Flag at the designated memorial table by the Sgt-at-Arms, Mike Adams. This was followed by The Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion.
Past Commanders and Distinguished Guests
No past commanders present
Phil LaPrad (VVA Mobility Chairman)
NEW (OR POTENTIALLY NEW) MEMBERS WELCOMED.
Ted Anderson (USN SeaBees)
GUESTS AND SPEAKERS
Phil LaPrad (VVA Mobility Chairman) briefed the post on his projects to help elderly & disabled veteran with mobility. Phil and the VVA provide local veterans with ramps, lifts, scooters, hospital beds, lift chairs, bath equipment, canes, portable oxygen concentrators and other equipment.
The post presented him with an appreciation plaque, a $400 donation plus the contents of our donation bucket.
If you can volunteer to help Phil, or if you or a loved one needs help, he can be contacted at 615-678-1204.
READING OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
A motion to wave the reading and accept as written last month’s general meeting minutes that were posted on the post’s website was made by CDR Terry Ward, seconded and then approved by a general vote of those present.
OFFICERS REPORT
COMMANDER – Terry Ward
A vote was held regarding how to fund Boys State in 2026 and it was decided to fund 12 boys at 50% instead of 6 boys at 100%
There will be a Veterans On The Hill event at the capital on 12 March from 0845-1700
Commander Ward announced that he will not continue as post commander after this term expired in May. New officers will be proposed in March, voted on by members in April and sworn in at the May post meeting. We need volunteers.
The post will fund Bob Snuck with $500 for his trip to Vietnam to recover US servicemembers’ remains.
1ST VICE – Jeff Mattingly
Members are encouraged to take AmLegion basic training, which can be accessed through the post website.
You can order trees from the post’s Auxiliary on their website. The post will assist with the tree sale on 18 April, at 1st Baptist Church where we shall provide traffic control. Volunteers are needed.
A new chapter of the Sons Of The American Revolution will be formed on 16 April at First Presbyterian Church in Lebanon. Feel free to attend if you have the lineage.
2ND VICE – Brandon Adderholt
Not present
ADJUTANT – Bruno Padovani
It is now 2026, so if you haven’t renewed your membership you are late. Please renew either online on MyLegion.org, via the post website (use PayPal, Square or Venmo), by check (at post meeting or send to PO Box 67, Mount Juliet, TN 37122).
FINANCE OFFICER – Steve Iles
Current accounts are: Checking ($10,087) & 3 CDs ($22,000).
Liability & criminal insurance paid
Just received $300 from a family for Honor Guard services rendered at a funeral.
New fiscal year starts on 1 June. Proposed budget will be presented in April & then voted on by the post at the May meeting. Steve would welcome volunteers to help him.
Members are urged to sign up for Kroger Rewards, listing our post as the beneficiary
SERVICE OFFICER – Patti Whitmore
Patti urged members to register with the VA for future services (if needed)
CHAPLAIN – Don Barnes filled in for David Hale (who just had cataract surgery)
Max Wix just had a CT scan & Gloria just had a swallow test.
George Barnes just turned 90
Pat Costanza has been down with the flu but is recovering
Jerry Chatfield (who was present) is recovering well from hip surgery
Cynthia Brown’s husband is being treated for stage 4 cancer.
Don Barnes stepson is recovering from his treatments
Chaz is in Florida
Jim Simpson is recovering from 2 falls
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS – Mike Adams
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Honor Guard – Capt. Steve Wren
Nothing to report
Oratorical
Post 281 will be hosting the District 5 Oratorical at 0900 on 14 March at St. Stephens RC Church in Old Hickory.
We NEED volunteers (timers, tabulators, monitors & escorts).
A volunteer sign-up list was made available but NOBODY signed up, which puts us in a bind. If you can help, please contact Bruno Padovani at bspadovanipost281@gmail.com
The Division (Central TN) competition will be held on 28 March at Post 82 in Inglewood.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
FOR THE GOOD OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
For your lawn, landscaping, gardening & nursery needs consider using Needhams on Lebanon Rd. They have a coupon program in which some of the proceeds will go to our post.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to attend , the closing ceremony was conducted, with closing prayer offered. The POW/MIA Flag was retrieved for storage. This was followed by honors to our flag and the meeting was adjourned at 1930 hrs.
Commander Ward presents Phil LaPrad with an appreciation award for the great work that he does at the VVA Mobility Chairman.
Quick Update: Thanks to all that attended our meeting last night and expressing an interest in contributing to the post using the Kroger App. For all others that weren’t able to make it we look forward to seeing you next month! There’s a lot going on. Officer Nominations, Tree Sale, New Budget planning, pre-planning for Honor America’s Flag event..
If you’re having trouble signing up, reply to this email and let me know when I can call to help.
Most everyone has one of these. That is an account with Kroger that allows you to take advantage of their discounts and accrue fuel points or other rewards.
Other Rewards?
Other Rewards like Community Rewards!
You may remember some past postings here titled, “Almost Painless“. Here’s how the ‘new’ screens look.
Start the Kroger App on your phone and Click on the Head & Shoulders icon at the top left
Scroll Down PAST, “My Account“
Select, “Community Rewards“
It may say “Change Organization” or Search for (Find an Organization) DS341 and Select “Enroll” and you’re done!
For those wishing to use a computer:
Log on to the Kroger webpage and click on the Head & Shoulders icon at the upper right.
Select, “Community Rewards“
It may say “Change Organization” or Search for (Find an Organization) DS341 and Select “Enroll” and you’re done!
Reviewed/Approved By: CMDR Ward, POST 281, DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE
CONVENED: 1800hrs. ADJOURNED: 1932hrs.
MEMBERS PRESENT: 29 VISITORS: 5 POSTOFFICERS: 7 TOTAL: 42
ASSEMBED
At 1730 hrs., doors of the Charlie Daniels Mount Juliet’s Parks and Recreation Headquarters, Room B were opened for fellowship. Pizza was served.
GUESTS AND SPEAKERS
Joseph Padilla (Post 281 member & Wilson County Board of Education Member)
Also Wilson County Board of Education award recipients (Kimberly McGee, Beth Meyers & Greg Holmann)
Sergeant Kyle Holtmeyer (Mt. Juliet PD)
Lt. Guy Flowers (Mt. Juliet, FD)
Ginger Fondren (State of Tennessee Coordinator for the Quilts of Valor Foundation)
OPENING CEREMONY
At 1800 Commander Terry Ward called the Post to order and Chaplain David Hall offered prayer, followed by a moment of silence for America’s POWs/MIAs (POW/MIA flag was left at the venue for the post’s Christmas banquet). This was followed by The Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion.
PAST COMMANDERS
Lew Hightower
NEW MEMBERS WERE WELCOMED
John McGee (USN)
Dennis Wilcockson (USN)
John Coulter (USN)
Susan Alexander (USA)
Jennifer Pricher
ACTIVITIES & AWARDS
John Herko & Ginger Fondren awarded Past Commander Lew Hightower a Quilt of Honor
Commander Terry Ward awarded Sergeant Kyle Holtmeyer (Mt. Juliet PD) Post 281’s Police Officer of The Year award
Commander Terry Ward awarded Lt. Guy Flowers (Mt. Juliet, FD) Post 281’s EMT of The Year award
MOTIONS & POST DISCUSSIONS
Motion proposed by Commander Ward, seconded and passed to approve meeting minutes from December 2025 Christmas banquet.
It was announced that the EC decided to pay 50% (instead of 100%) of each Boys State attendee’s costs, enabling us to sponsor more attendees. Most members who commented were opposed, so it was decided to revisit this decision. TBD.
OFFICERS REPORT
COMMANDER – Terry Ward
Members urged to take Be The One suicide prevention training
Veterans On The Hill will take place at the State Capital on 28 January. Post sign-up by 19 January. Plan to car pool & then shuttle to the capital.
1ST VICE – Jeff Mattingly (Not present, on vacation)
2ND VICE – Brian Adderholt
The Auxiliary Tree sale will be held on 18 April and post members are needed for traffic control.
Honoring America’s Flag will be held from 21-25 May.
ADJUTANT – Bruno Padovani.
Membership: Roughly 180 paid through 2026 with 39 through 2025 & 34 through either 2023 or 2024.
Membership: 2026 membership cards mailed with more coming in January as people pay up.
Membership: Instructions on how to use MyLegion.org to print m-ship cards.
FINANCE OFFICER – Steve Iles
We still have challenge coins available for purchase, at $7 apiece
Post finances are strong with a good donation base & money from HAF.
Bank account stands at $10,663 plus we have $21,000 in a CD.
SERVICE OFFICER – Patti Whitmore.
Nothing to report
CHAPLAIN – David Hale (Not present, recovering from surgery). Nothing to report.
Gloria Wix having difficulty swallowing
George Barnes has mobility problems
Henry Queener was diagnosed with cancer 4 weeks ago, but now appears to be cancer-free!?!
Jerry Chatfield had hip surgery
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS – Mike Adams
Nothing to report
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Honor Guard
Through early December, 531 services since inception.
Sons of the American Legion – Squadron Commander Dan Rhame
A new president is needed
American Legion Riders – Director Bob Ramsey
Vietnam Veterans “Traveling Wall” in June.
Oratorical – Bruno Padovani
5th District Oratorical competition to be held on Saturday 14 March at St. Stephens RC Church in Old Hickory.
Volunteers will be needed. Tabulators, Timers, Escorts & Judges. Sign-up sheets will be available during February & March post meetings.
Division competition will be held on 28 March at Post 82 in Inglewood. See Terry Ward about volunteering
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
FOR THE GOOD OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
Commander Ward spoke to the post about veterans suicide, and urged members to help solve the problem by attending Be The One training.
Bob Snuck would like Post 281 to sponsor his trip to Vietnam to help recover US MIAA remains.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to attend to, the closing ceremony was conducted, with closing prayer offered by Chaplain HAll. This was followed by honors to our flag and the meeting was adjourned at 1932 hrs.
Post Commander Terry Ward awards Joseph Padilla, Wilson County Board of Education Member for his service to the community.
Most everyone has one of these. That is an account with Kroger that allows you to take advantage of their discounts and accrue fuel points or other rewards.
