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Month: May 2026

ALL HANDS ON DECK #2

THANKS TO ALL for your support of this year’s Honor America’s Flag event.

The flags have all been taken down and put away until next year. The weather just wasn’t with us this year.

We had hoped to set up and do some recruiting at Needham’s drone show tomorrow evening but again, given the forecast we’ve decided to cancel the recruiting idea. We have not heard whether or not Needham’s plans to go forward with the drone show.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Let’s all send out our heartfelt thoughts and prayer to our Heroes.

Thank you!

Breaking Down HAF

We are waiting for a break in the weather on Sunday to allow us to break down the event early.

It all depends on the weather and ultimately when Nancy makes the decision.

This message is to serve as a Heads UP.

We will be sending an “ALL HANDS ON DECK” as soon as we have the opportunity. So please remain flexible and be ready to answer the call.

Thank You

14th Annual Honor America’s Flag #2

The 14th Annual Honor America’s Flag event, hosted by the Exchange Club of Wilson County and American Legion Post 281, is more than a display — it is a community experience. It is a place for reflection, gratitude, and connection. Walking among the rows of flags is both humbling and inspiring, offering a moment to pause and remember what unites us as Americans.

The display is open to the public at no charge beginning the afternoon of

Thursday 5/21 running through Monday early afternoon 5/25.

Shortly after getting the field put up we had our 1st sponsor to honor one of their heroes!

Thank You Lt. Ronan!

Scroll down for the link to order your flag kit online!

We invite you to visit, reflect, and take part in this meaningful celebration of service, sacrifice, and 250 years of American spirit.

Each flag stands for a life, a sacrifice, a commitment to something greater than self. Behind every flag is a name, a story, and a legacy. Flags may be sponsored to recognize veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, loved ones, or any American whose life reflects patriotism and service.

For 250 years, the Stars and Stripes has symbolized courage, resilience, and unity. It has endured through triumph and trial, reminding us that while times change, our shared ideals remain. As we gather beneath these flags, we are reminded that freedom is not inherited without cost — it is preserved by those willing to serve.

For those that may be interested in sponsoring the event, Click Here, for the order form (printable) which outlines the different sponsorship levels. Additionally, the Colonial Flag Foundation’s website is hosting a page for additional information and online payment methods for sponsors and individuals wanting to honor their heroes.

There are still several slots available for volunteers to help out with the event. Please consider spending a little time helping out and sign up at our next meeting 5/12/26. We need your help.

HAF Coverage #2 #3

This IS our biggest fundraiser of the year

Ladies and Gents, We need your help! Please reply to this email with date(s)/time(s) you can Help.

Please also keep in mind that on Monday 5/25 afternoon we’ll need ALL HANDS to help breakdown.

Please excuse the rough looking chart. I’m not really good at this.

Thursday
5/14/26
Prep Day
Load Trailer
9:00Nancy Britt’s home
Nancy BrittJeff & Sherry MattinglyTerry WardPat UngerPat CostanzoRoger Brugger
Steve IlesPatti WhitmoreJoe ChilandoMason, Nancy’s GrandsonTHANKS TO ALL
Thursday
5/21/26
Rebar and Flag Installation>>>>>>>>BRING
AND
SMALL WORKSLEDGE GLOVESHAMMERS PLEASE
8:15
Transport to field by 0900
Jeff Mattingly
8:00Field Layout
Mike FaoroPat Unger
9:00Installation
5/21/26ALL HANDS ON DECKCounty Sheriff’s CrewPat CostanzoChaz SpampinatoMike FoleyJohn Herko
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>ThursdayFridaySaturdaySundayMonday
5/21/265/22/265/23/265/24/265/25/26
One Volunteer7:00 – 10:00XXXXXXXXXPat CostanzoJohn HerkoThe ChatfieldsDennis Wilcockson
John Coulter
Two Volunteers10:00 – 14:00Mike FaoroDelmar SmithCarl PuelsJohn Herko????????????
Scott CryerW. Wayne SmithRoger Brugger????????????????????????
Two Volunteers14:00 – 18:00Roger BruggerSteve IlesSteve IlesPatti WhitmoreRemoval & Clean Up begin @ 14:30
????????????Don BarnesJeff Mattingly????????????ALL HANDS ON DECK
One Volunteer18:00 – 22:00Rick Wheeler????????????????????????????????????XXXXXXXXX
————–————–————–————–————–————-————-
Needham’s Drone Show5/25/26Show starts at 20:45
Recruiting Event17:00 – 20:15Patti Whitmore
Come hang out with us Bring a ChairThe more the marrier!Jeff & Sherry Mattingly

Rear parking lot of First Baptist (MJCA), 735 N, Mt Juliet  Rd with our canopy, tables, chairs, information about the post and coins to sell. Our Needham’s POC is Janet.

Doors Open to the public about 7pm (some may show up earlier) and we can set up any time after 4pm and wind down about 8:30.  And wait for the Drone show that starts at 8:45pm.

I have a table (that is Jeff’s), so we would need to get the canopy and everyone bring a chair.  and a few volunteers…This would be right after our Flag take down event.

HAF Coverage #2

This IS our biggest fundraiser of the year

Ladies and Gents, We need your help! Please reply to this email with date(s)/time(s) you can Help.

Please also keep in mind that on Monday 5/25 afternoon we’ll need ALL HANDS to help breakdown.

Please excuse the rough looking chart. I’m not really good at this.

Thursday
5/14/26
Prep Day
Load Trailer
9:00Nancy Britt’s home
Nancy BrittJeff & Sherry MattinglyTerry WardPat UngerPat CostanzoRoger Brugger
Steve IlesPatti WhitmoreJoe ChilandoMason, Nancy’s GrandsonTHANKS TO ALL
Thursday
5/21/26
Rebar and Flag Installation>>>>>>>>BRING AND SMALL WORKSLEDGE GLOVESHAMMERS PLEASE
8:15
Transport to field by 0900
Jeff Mattingly
8:00Field Layout
Mike FaoroPat Unger
9:00Installation
ALL HANDS ON DECKCounty Sheriff’s CrewPat CostanzoChazMike FoleyJohn Herko
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>ThursdayFridaySaturdaySundayMonday
5/21/265/22/265/23/265/24/265/25/26
One Volunteer7:00 – 10:00XXXXXXXXXPat CostanzoJohn HerkoThe ChatfieldsDennis Wilcockson
John Coulter
Two Volunteers10:00 – 14:00Mike FaoroDelmar SmithCarl PuelsJohn Herko????????????
Scott CryerW. Wayne SmithRoger Brugger????????????????????????
Two Volunteers14:00 – 18:00Roger BruggerSteve IlesSteve IlesPatti WhitmoreRemoval & Clean Up begin @ 14:30
????????????Jeff Mattingly????????????????????????ALL HANDS ON DECK
One Volunteer18:00 – 22:00Rick Wheeler????????????????????????????????????XXXXXXXXX
————–————–————–————–————–————-————-
Needham’s Drone Show5/25/26Show starts at 20:45
Recruiting Event17:00 – 20:15Patti Whitmore
Come hang out with us Bring a ChairThe more the marrier!Jeff & Sherry Mattingly

Rear parking lot of First Baptist (MJCA), 735 N, Mt Juliet  Rd with our canopy, tables, chairs, information about the post and coins to sell. Our Needham’s POC is Janet.

Doors Open to the public about 7pm (some may show up earlier) and we can set up any time after 4pm and wind down about 8:30.  And wait for the Drone show that starts at 8:45pm.

I have a table (that is Jeff’s), so we would need to get the canopy and everyone bring a chair.  and a few volunteers…This would be right after our Flag take down event.