Legion Members Special Membership to the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center
We hope all members will take advantage of this great opportunity.
Author: Terry Ward
Phil LaPrad, VVA Mobility Chairman
Phil Laprad, Mobility Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans of America, (VVA) Chapter 1089 of Rutherford County, is a veteran who is serious about continuing to serve his country, his community, and fellow veterans.
Phil and his crew install chair lifts, exit/entry ramps, handicap ramps and chair lifts for vehicles, handicap beds and bathroom aids, and assemble hospital beds in homes. Phil also services used mobility scooters and installs vehicle carriers. He also helps maintain handicap equipment with follow-on servicing for veterans and their family members who cannot qualify for service by the VA. It may be a temporary solution, but if nothing else he’ll do what he can until the VA can take over. Phil and his crew also collect older mobility equipment, like beds and ramps, and services them to be used by another veteran. Often, Phil and his crew provide help to veterans before the VA can get the approval process.
There is no cost to veterans.
His group is from VVA Chapter 1089, Murfreesboro. He has 2 or 3 volunteers who help. Phil came and gave a presentation about his work a few years ago to our post. As a result, Post 281 members donated over $300 out of their pocket to help in purchasing wiring, nuts, screws, and bolts used to rebuild electric motors and batteries.
Phil has agreed to come and visit us on 8 March at our next post meeting. Phil is planning to bring one of his helpers too. If you know of veterans who are in need of his talents and skills, contact us through our link on the website and we will endevor to connect the dots for them. Also, plan on coming to our meeting next month and meet him.
January/February 2022 Newsletter
Update From Commander Max Wix
Fellow Legionnaires, family, and friends:
We continue to support our community through The American Legion’s founding principles of four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth.
We hope that this newsletter finds you and your family members healthy and doing well.
On 8 and 9 January, Adjutant Ward, Service Officer Hibbett, member Mike Moss and I participated in the Tennessee Department Midwinter Conference held in Murfreesboro. We took part in various sessions of being presented. Our Adjutant Terry Ward is also the current TN Department Oratorical Chair. He presented the upcoming Oratorical Contest details for attendees.
This coming post meeting will feature guest speaker Robert Millon, Director of Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (aka Pegram). Director Million will provide information about how veterans and spouses can pre-register for burial at Veterans Cemeteries…
Mayfield, Kentucky American Legion Post 26 Donation
Legion Post 281 Members and Friends,
All of you know about the devastation that occurred in Mayfield, Kentucky last month, just before Christmas, resulting from the tornadoes. American Legion Post 26 of the town of Mayfield was deeply affected. Their building was all but destroyed along with the rest of the downtown area. As you would expect of former military guys and gals, the members of that post have united to serve affected members and the many citizens that were deeply impacted, while they personally attempt to recover as well. I am proud to report that many Legion posts from across the country have donated as well.
My Uncle Darrel Snow, a Korean War era veteran, was a member of American Legion Post 26 of Mayfield. I proudly wore my American Legion service cap at his funeral and teared up when I offered a final salute to an uncle and fellow veteran as he reported to “The Post Everlasting”. He was a proud American. As with all veterans, we share a bond of dedication to our country, our communities, and to each other.
We, members of the Mt. Juliet American Legion Post 281, want to reach out and offer our empathy to the community, so we are giving a cash donation of $500 to Legion Post 26 of Mayfield, to be given to whomever the Post deems to be in need. Other members from Post 281 of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee are donating additional sums, as well. If anyone would like to join us, for whatever amount, please let me know via Facebook private message, or through our www.mtjulietalpost281.com website “contact us,” and I’ll add it to our total donation.
I’m taking a check to Post 26’s Commander this coming week. I know he will be grateful for whatever is given.
December 2021 Newsletter
FROM THE COMMANDER:
Fellow Legionnaires, family, and friends:
We continue to support our community through The American Legion’s founding principles of four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth.
We hope that this newsletter finds you and your families healthy and doing well. We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and that everyone has healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
Post 281 Christmas/Holiday Dinner was held on 14 Dec at the Rutland Senior Living Place Banquet Room. The Roast Beef or Vegetarian meals were lauded upon by all in attendance. We had 72 in attending.
A grand surprise was had by all as we were entertained by a member of our post, Paul Alan Coons. Our Adjutant Terry Ward led us in singing a few Christmas Carols. I want to thank our Finance Officer Stephen Iles for his hard work coordinating with me collecting funds for the meals and settling the bill.
October 2021 Minutes
Tyler Cates American Legion Post 281, MT. JULIET, TN
COMPILED BY 1st Vice Cdr Pat Costanzo MINUTES OF MEETING DATE: October 12, 2021 PG 1 of 2
APPROVED BY Commander Max Wix POST 281, DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE CONVENED 1855 hrs
ADJOURNED: 1945hrs MEMBERS PRESENT 21 VISITORS 0 ELECTED OFFICERS 5 TOTAL: 26
ASSEMBED 1750 hrs, doors were opened to Mt Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC) for the conduct of business. As has become the normal activity, the Sergeant-at- Arms, Delmar Smith, provided Pizza, drinks and desert was donated for those in attendance. We had no guests for this meeting. The MJSAC Executive Director, Valissa Saindon (Post 281 member), offered tickets for sale for their Spaghetti Dinners 14 & 15 Oct, the proceeds going to funding the Center and Seniors of Mount Juliet programs.
September 2021 Newsletter
FROM THE COMMANDER:
Commander Max Wix – Tyler Cates Post 281
Fellow Legionnaires, family, and friends:
We hope that this newsletter finds you and your families healthy and doing well. As we previously stated, we will be publishing our newsletter following each monthly meeting to keep you better informed.
The American Legion was founded In 1919 on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Our goal is to focus our activities on these in our community.
We were honored to have Tyler Cates Post 281 past Commanders Lew Hightower and Brenda Thompson were attendance. Prior to our meeting, the Mount Juliet High School Marine Junior Reserve Officer Training Cadets Drill and Ceremony Team , lead by SgtMaj Jonathan Clark, provided a motivational presentation and joined us afterwards for pizza, etc.
Membership is our strength and ability to meet our mutual obligations to the four pillars. We had 49 members and guests at our meeting and look forward to more members joining our gatherings in the future…
September 2021 Minutes
Tyler Cates American Legion Post 281, MT. JULIET, TN
COMPILED BY ADJUTANT Terry Ward MINUTES OF MEETING DATE 14 Sep 2021 PG 1 of 2
APPROVED BY COMMANDER: Max Wix POST 281, DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE CONVENED 1855 hrs
ADJOURNED: 2004hrs MEMBERS PRESENT 35 VISITORS 0 ELECTED OFFICERS 5 TOTAL: 40
ASSEMBED 1750 hrs., doors were opened to Mt Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC) . Pizza and drinks were provided by the post for those in attendance and members as in past months supplied by the SGT at Arms, Smith. Zero guest were present for the call to order.
Post meeting tonight, 14 September, Be There, Be Square.
Post meeting tonight, 14 September, 2021
Mt. Juliet SA Center, 2034 N Mt. , Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Parking in the Back
Agenda:
6:00 PM, Mt Juliet High School, JROTC Drill and Ceremony team will “Razzel Dazzel” you with their expert Drill and Ceremony team. (Caution: Weapons of potential danger will be flying in the air, observe with caution and keep your distance.)
6:30 PM, Pizza and Fellowship time.
7:00 PM, Regular Post Meeting
Topics:
– Success of the Post Picnic, on 11 September
– Reverser Raffle on 17 September, Hermitage Golf Course, ALL TICKETS HAVE BEEN SOLD.
– Halloween in the Park 23 OCT, NEED Candy, bring it to the Sep meeting.
– Long range plans for the OCT/NOV/DEC
Annual Picnic at Charlie Daniels Park, Saturday, September the 11th, starting at noon.
Join us this Saturday the 11th at noon, as we gather with our families and friends to commemorate the significance of this particular day in our country’s history, while celebrating the common bond that we Veterans and Legionnaires share in our service to making this nation so great.
Burgers, Hot Dogs, Bar-B-Que and the supplementary “fixins” supplied by the post. Bring your favorite side dish to share with 6 to 8 others along with lawn chairs.
Pavilion 2, Charlie Daniels Park, Mt. Juliet, starting at noon. Entertainment provided by recording artist Forest Brandon (and a new post member too) , games, karaoke, and perfect weather to enjoy.
Bring your family and your veteran friends and their families too.
We are family! Come and be a part of us as we continue to serve our military brethren and sisters, our great community and country.