Author: Terry Ward

Ok all you volunteers, below you will find a website link to use to sign up for a time slot at the Wilson County/Tennessee State Fair American Legion information booth, at the Veterans’ Building at the Wilson County Fair Ground. All you do is click on the link, pick your day and time and when asked insert your data. You will be remind 2 days before the time you’re schedule to work at the email address you provide. You will also notice that there is a 1-5 pm slot during the week, but the Fair doesn’t open until 5pm so ignore the week days but not for the weekends. If you have any questions or troubles contact Terry Ward @ 615-519-6523 or Bob Snuck @ 615-479-1968. Free entrance parking passes will be coordinated with those that sign up for booth coverage.

The link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44A4AA2EA0F9C07-50308612-wilson

Agenda for Post 281 monthly meeting,  9 July 24 @ SAC @ 6:00                                                                                       

6:00 PM pizza and soft drinks and socializing with members.  

On or about 6:30 Begin opening protocol for the meeting. 

QOV presentation for Delmar and Wayne Smith,  USN,   

Speaker for our July meeting is Phil Goldstine , Army 11B type, 100% disabled, Dog Handler for the military and a Dog Trainer now.  

Adoption of minutes as posted on the website and sent to each email address, 28 June

Officer’s reports, 1^st Vice, 2^nd Vice, ADJ, FO, SO, Chap, SGT @ Arms

Committee Reports    …   C&BL,  HAF

HG, ALR, SAL, AUX

Unfinished Business  ?

CDR updates :  New Business Short Range Plans  

a.13 Aug meeting,  Abigail Whicker will give her Oration to the post.   Phil Ponder to present his “I am the American Flag” presentation.    

b.  State/Wilson County Fair, 15-24 Aug,   We will have booth space to share with other Post 15, and the VFW.     See signup sheet being for June and Aug sheet.                  

c.  Sept meeting, Boys State attendees as guest to chat with post. 

14 Sep ceremony in honor of Tyler Cates in Sep, or post picnic and then a special time of reflection about Tyler during the picnic?     Picnic…, Pavilion #5 is reserved from 8 AM until 4 PM.      

d.  Halloween in the Park in OCT,  solicit candy in Sept, to include bringing it to the picnic.

                e.    Americanism,   shooting coach, speakers in schools,

                f.    District/Division/Depart News and outcome of Mid Summer’s Conference. 

 Anything else for the good of the legion ?

Closing Protocol 

An invitation for all members and all Veterans or sons of Veterans to attend the 11 June 2024 Post 281 meeting.

6:00 PM, Pizza, Soft Drink and socializing time. 

On or about 6:45,  Begin opening protocol for the meeting.

Recognize QOV presentation for post member Barry Mortensen as presented by John Herko and QOV coordinator  Robet St. John. 

Adoption of the minutes

Officer reports:    1^st Vice, 2^nd Vice,  ADJ, FO, SO,  S@A, CH (sick call)

Committee,   John Herko, Constitution and By-Laws Committee update and presentation for a  motion to be voted up on by the regular members.  

HG, ALR, SAL, Auxiliary updates.   

Unfinished business:   Motion by the ADJ to consider increasing our Dues to $50.00 per year. 

CDR offers After Action Review of HAF.      The Good-Bad-Ugly?

Short- and Long-range event plans,   

a. Ceremony in honor of Tyler Cates in Sep, or post picnic and then a special time of reflection about Tyler during the picnic?    

b. Halloween in the Park

c. Mt J Cmas Parade

               d. Cmas Social/Banquet

Speaker for our meetings.    Who do we want to hear?    Is it a good thing or is it not effective? 

New Business  Correspondence

Anything else for the good of the legion.  

Closing Protocol. 

Contact us through the website link for available times.

Come and experience the Honoring America’s Flag display sponsored by the Mount Juliet Exchange Club and American Legion Post 281 of Mount Juliet, May 23rd through Memorial Day,  May 27th , held at the Mt. Juliet Clock tower at the intersection of Mt. Juliet Road and East and West Division Street, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.      

A special Honoring our American Flag celebration will be held on May 25^th at the park, sponsored by Legion Post 281.  The Post Honor Guard will “Present the Colors”   followed by Post Member SSG (USMC-R) David Hale singing The National Anthem.   Mt. Juliet Christian Academy Junior Abigail Whicker will offer her award-winning speech about the meaning of our American Constitution, followed by a presentation by local historian Phil Ponder as he presents “I am the American Flag”. 

 Come and enjoy the patriotic spirit and joyful celebration.  

If you would like to purchase a flag in honor of a loved one that served in our US Military, flags for purchase will be available too.  Tie a yellow ribbon on the flag to dedicate your special message of devotion and love.  

6:00 PM  Pizza, Soft Drinks, and socialize time, Mt Juliet Senior Activity Center, 

 On or about 6:45, Opening protocol for  meeting

1. Recognize Guest and State Rep Susan Lynn is the guest speaker.
2.  Adoption of the distributed minutes
3. Officer reports
4.  CDR presents Honoring America’s Flag  (HAF) planning and execution.

Present Calendar of events for the month of May.   Circulate coverage sheet for HAF.

16 May  HAF prep day,  Nancy Britts on 291 Guill Rd at 0900

19 May  RFTW bridge coverage @ 2:45 to 3:30 on at the Beckwith Road overpass, (exit 229 on I-40) with American Flag waving at the RFTW riders head east to Pete’s Truck Stop for refuels.

19-24 May Boys State at TN Tech.  

23 May  HAF layout and buildout at the Mt Juliet clock tower/ Train Station    

                0730   Pat Unger and Carry Cundal conduct layout and marking at clock tower.

0830   Volunteer with Sledgehammers and Leather Gloves for set up of field.

0930   Trustees arrive to help with set up.

1000 Assist Exchange club with escorts and sales.   Begin 2400 hr. coverage.

                Scheduled coverage of volunteers    Blood Assurance Donations

25 May,  Scheduled Coverage,    Program @ 5:00 PM HAF @ Clock Tower  , David Hale Sing  National Anthem,  Hornor Guard Presents the Colors, Abigail Whicker to give Oratorical presentation,  Phil Ponder present the History of our American Flag, Blood Assurance Donations

26 May, Scheduled Coverage

27 May, Scheduled Coverage, shut down and stow away at 1400-1500 as per guidance from Nancy Britt.     On or about 1500 transport all of the flags and the support material back to Nancy Britt’s home.    

• Committee report: 

Present Budge for 2024/2025 from John Herko

•  Sick Call/ Chaplain Assistant
•  Unfinished business /  SAL/ HG/ AUX/ ALR reports  
•  New Business:   ELECTION OF 2024/2025 OFFICERS  

                Current Nominations  

 CRD Ward, continuing for second year and seventh term.     

1^st Vice, Mike Faoro third term

2^nd Vice,  Nomination of Bob Snuck   

Adjutant Shawn Taylor continues for third term.

Finance Officer Steve Iles continues for 6^th Term.

Service Officer Patti Whitmore continues for 2^nd Term.

SGT AT Arms Don Barns continues for 1^st full term.

Chaplin David Hale begins 3^rd term.

•  Installation of Post Officers for Legion Year 2024/2025 conducted by former Post Commander Pat Unger
• Closing Protocol