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Author: Jeff Mattingly

16th Annual Tree sale

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

Wreaths Across America & Mission BBQ

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

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

Wilson Warriors

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

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!

2025 Christmas Banquet , December 9th

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

Ladies & Gentlemen!

The moment is fast approaching for our annual Christmas Banquet to take place. Come for a great time and to celebrate the beginning of the Holiday Season with the members of our post. American Legion Post 281 of Mt. Juliet would cordially like to invite you to attend our 15th annual Christmas banquet, being held on December 9th, 2025, at the Rutland Senior Center, 435 Northwest Rutland Rd., in the center’s banquet room. Doors will open at 5:30 PM and the banquet and festivities will begin at 6:00 PM .

If you would, please take a moment to visit the RSVP link below. Our deadline for ordering the food for the evening is the end of the month (30 Nov) which is quickly approaching. You can pay online when you make the reservation at the link below, or just pay at the door.

Rick Bell, the Mayor of Lebanon, is our speaker for the evening, He will be sharing stories about Castle Heights Military Academy and stories about Wilson County Veterans that have made their mark. We will also have some door prizes to give away and we’ll sing a few Christmas Carols as well.

RSVP

Wreaths Across America

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

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!

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

Veterans Day Ceremony Invitation

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

Maristone of Providence would like to invite Post 281 to join and participate in our Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11th at 2:00 PM.

We would be honored to have your presence as we celebrate and recognize our resident veterans.

We’re located at 140 Providence Trail, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

P.S. I apologize for the short notice. This one almost fell through the cracks. JM

Veterans Day Program

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

Correction: Our previous email/post had the assembly point for the parade as the Library. In fact, according to Bill Moss, POC for the event, “The parade will originate from First United Methodist, 415 West Main Street, at 10:00 AM and proceed up West Main Street, go around the square and terminate at the Veteran’s Museum, next to the Wilson County Courthouse.”

Additionally, we now have an agenda for the program beginning at 11:00 AM.

  • Welcome – Chris Beadle, Commander American Legion Post 15
  • Master of Ceremonies – Bill Moss, Commander VFW Post 5015
  • Devotion/Prayer – Jeff Luttrell, Deacon First Baptist Church, Watertown, TN
  • Pledge of Allegiance – ZaBrina Seay, Director, Wilson County Veterans Service Office
  • National Anthem – Denise Michelle Johnson, Singer/Songwriter
  • Recognition of Anniversaries of Ending of Wars
  • Recognition of Branches of Service – Mike Myer, Commander VVA Post 1004
  • Speaker – Kevin J Croteau, LTC (Ret), USA
  • Rifle Volley – Honor Guard American Legion Post 281
  • Taps – American Legion Post 281, Mt. Juliet – Terry Ward, Commander Post 281

Of coarse, this is subject to change.