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Month: March 2026

16th Annual Tree sale Last Reminder

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in American Legion Post 281 News, Announcements, Post 281 Auxiliary.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 281

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.

I will look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Kathy Leedy Auxiliary Unit 281

Fund Raising Chairman

Auxiliary Fundraiser #2

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in American Legion Post 281 News, Announcements, Post 281 Auxiliary.

Check this Out!

Tickets will be available at our next meeting but for advance orders you can send email to alatn281@gmail.com.

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
MOUNT JULIET, UNIT 281

FUNDRAISER : NEEDHAM’S BUCK’S COUPONS, $10.00 each, $10.00 value
~ BUY YOUR COUPONS FROM ANY AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY MEMBER ~

*Coupons good for all your landscape and gardening purchases.
*Quality nursery stock with seasonal offerings.

Buy a coupon for $10 and you get $10 off your purchase and a portion of your purchase at Needham’s will be donated to our Auxiliary.

For a look at the original flyer, please click on the link below.

Here’s the link: https://www.mtjulietalpost281.com/fundraiser-needhams-bucks-coupons/

16th Annual Tree sale Reminder #3

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in American Legion Post 281 News, Announcements, Post 281 Auxiliary.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 281

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.

I will look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Kathy Leedy Auxiliary Unit 281

Fund Raising Chairman

Alright Post 281… Who’s Stepping Up? #2

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in American Legion Post 281 News.

You know the saying: “Many hands make light work.”

Well… right now we’re looking for a few hands. Preferably attached to members who care about Post 281. 😉

It’s that time of year again — nominations are open for the following officer positions:

  • Commander
  • First Vice Commander
  • Second Vice Commander
  • Adjutant
  • Finance Officer
  • Service Officer
  • Chaplain
  • Historian
  • Judge Advocate

Before everyone suddenly finds something very interesting to study on the ceiling… let’s talk.

Relax — This Isn’t Basic Training

Serving as an officer isn’t about being perfect, having all the answers, or giving long speeches (we promise).

It’s about: 

  • Caring about the Post
  • Showing up
  • Being part of the team
  • Supporting fellow veterans

That’s it.

You don’t need to be the oldest member.
You don’t need to be the youngest member.
You don’t need to have been here forever.

If you care about Post 281, you’re qualified to be considered.

There’s a Role for Every Strength

Some positions help guide the vision and direction of the Post.
Some help grow and engage membership.
Some keep the paperwork and finances squared away.
Some support veterans directly.
Some preserve our history and traditions.
Some provide guidance, support, and perspective when it’s needed most.

Different roles. Same mission.

This isn’t about one person doing everything — it’s about a team working together to keep Post 281 strong, organized, and moving forward.

Think About It…

Who’s the person who:

  • Always volunteers?
  • Has ideas to make things better?
  • Keeps track of details?
  • Checks in on fellow veterans?
  • Talks about growing membership or doing more in the community?

That person might be a great nominee.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “Well… maybe I could do that,” you probably can.

Why It Matters

The officers we choose will help shape what next year looks like at Post 281 — more engagement, stronger membership, meaningful programs, and continued support for our veterans and community.

That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when members step up.

Deadline: May 12

Nominations close on May 12 before the vote.

  By Laws – ARTICLE VI – NOMINATIONS – ELECTIONS – VACANCIES

Section 1. NOMINATIONS: The nominations process for Post elected positions begins at the April

general membership meeting. Nominations can also be made from the floor at the general

membership meeting in May. Nominees must be present and agree to serve in the position for

which they are nominated.

Section 2. ELECTION DATE: All Officers and Executive Committee members of this Post shall be

elected from a slate of nominees at the May meeting.

Section 3. INSTALLATION: Officers and Executive Committee members shall be installed after the

elections as the final act of business at the May general membership meeting. The installing

officer shall be an officer from another Post, the Department of Tennessee, National, or a Post

281 Past Commander.

That means now’s the time to:

  • Put your own name forward
  • Encourage someone else
  • Have that “you’d be great at this” conversation

Don’t assume someone else will do it. The Legion has always been strongest when members answer the call.

We’ve all served before. Serving Post 281 is just another way to continue that commitment — this time to each other.

Let’s keep Post 281 strong, active, organized… and maybe just a little louder than the Post down the road.

For God and Country,

Jeff Mattingly

1sr Vice Cmdr/Webmeister

Kroger Community Rewards Update #2 #2

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in American Legion Post 281 News, Announcements.

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!

That was Almost Painless wasn’t it?