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.
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.
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
9:00
Nancy Britt’s home
Nancy Britt
Jeff & Sherry Mattingly
Terry Ward
Pat Unger
Pat Costanzo
Roger Brugger
Steve Iles
Patti Whitmore
Joe Chilando
Mason, Nancy’s Grandson
THANKS TO ALL
Thursday
5/21/26
Rebar and Flag Installation
>>>>>>>>
BRING AND
SMALL WORK
SLEDGE GLOVES
HAMMERS PLEASE
8:15
Transport to field by 0900
Jeff Mattingly
8:00
Field Layout
Mike Faoro
Pat Unger
9:00
Installation
5/21/26
ALL HANDS ON DECK
County Sheriff’s Crew
Pat Costanzo
Chaz Spampinato
Mike Foley
John Herko
????????????
????????????
????????????
????????????
????????????
????????????
????????????
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
5/21/26
5/22/26
5/23/26
5/24/26
5/25/26
One Volunteer
7:00 – 10:00
XXXXXXXXX
Pat Costanzo
John Herko
The Chatfields
Dennis Wilcockson
John Coulter
Two Volunteers
10:00 – 14:00
Mike Faoro
Delmar Smith
Carl Puels
John Herko
????????????
Scott Cryer
W. Wayne Smith
Roger Brugger
????????????
????????????
Two Volunteers
14:00 – 18:00
Roger Brugger
Steve Iles
Steve Iles
Patti Whitmore
Removal & Clean Up begin @ 14:30
????????????
Don Barnes
Jeff Mattingly
????????????
ALL HANDS ON DECK
One Volunteer
18:00 – 22:00
Rick Wheeler
????????????
????????????
????????????
XXXXXXXXX
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Needham’s Drone Show
5/25/26
Show starts at 20:45
Recruiting Event
17:00 – 20:15
Patti Whitmore
Come hang out with us Bring a Chair
The 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.
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
9:00
Nancy Britt’s home
Nancy Britt
Jeff & Sherry Mattingly
Terry Ward
Pat Unger
Pat Costanzo
Roger Brugger
Steve Iles
Patti Whitmore
Joe Chilando
Mason, Nancy’s Grandson
THANKS TO ALL
Thursday
5/21/26
Rebar and Flag Installation
>>>>>>>>
BRING AND
SMALL WORK
SLEDGE GLOVES
HAMMERS PLEASE
8:15
Transport to field by 0900
Jeff Mattingly
8:00
Field Layout
Mike Faoro
Pat Unger
9:00
Installation
ALL HANDS ON DECK
County Sheriff’s Crew
Pat Costanzo
Chaz
Mike Foley
John Herko
????????????
????????????
????????????
????????????
????????????
????????????
????????????
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
5/21/26
5/22/26
5/23/26
5/24/26
5/25/26
One Volunteer
7:00 – 10:00
XXXXXXXXX
Pat Costanzo
John Herko
The Chatfields
Dennis Wilcockson
John Coulter
Two Volunteers
10:00 – 14:00
Mike Faoro
Delmar Smith
Carl Puels
John Herko
????????????
Scott Cryer
W. Wayne Smith
Roger Brugger
????????????
????????????
Two Volunteers
14:00 – 18:00
Roger Brugger
Steve Iles
Steve Iles
Patti Whitmore
Removal & Clean Up begin @ 14:30
????????????
Jeff Mattingly
????????????
????????????
ALL HANDS ON DECK
One Volunteer
18:00 – 22:00
Rick Wheeler
????????????
????????????
????????????
XXXXXXXXX
————–
————–
————–
————–
————–
————-
————-
Needham’s Drone Show
5/25/26
Show starts at 20:45
Recruiting Event
17:00 – 20:15
Patti Whitmore
Come hang out with us Bring a Chair
The 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.
Agenda for 12 May 2026 Regular Post meeting, CDP/ Community Center
RM ALPHA….
4:45 TO 5:30 pm, SONS of the AMERICAN LEGION meeting, to be held in the small conference room. Nomination and Election for SAL leadership. Candidates are Pat Unger for Commander, Terry Ward for Adjutant and Joe Chilandro at Treasure, but others wanting to serve most certainly are welcome too. Meeting discussion about election and several projects to talk about.
5:30 PM Social time of food and camaraderie
6:00 PM/Opening meeting protocol Welcome all members and guest and all visitors present.
Recognize former Commanders present and guest and new members.
Recognize and present an appreciation plaque for community service to SRO Joe Bowen , being awarded by 2nd Vice Adderholt.
Review the posting of the minutes from the last meeting being published on 10 May 26 across the Website to members., recommendation for approval.
Recognize SAL members present , discussion of status of the Post 281 SAL.
CDR’s comments and updates
Boys state funding status, 12 applicants, (4 Mt J HS/8 GH HS currently conducting interviews. Juliet Rotary funding $1000, and Del Webb Vet’s Group $425, parents portion to be $100.
Commanders’ year in review, and over the last 3 years and as far back to 2018.
May’s Calendar events:
14 May, HAF flag prep day @ Nancy Britt’s home, 291 Guill Rd, 0900
16 May, Armed Forces Day at Mission BBQ, (David Hale to advise)
18 May, RFTW support at Beckwith RD and I-40 Overpass @ 2:30
18 May, RFTW support at QT Fuel Center, Lebanon, @ 3:10
19 May, RFTW support at Wilson CNTY Vet Center/Lebanon @ 11:45
21 May, HAF set up day with installation of rebar and flags
21 May, Begin HAF set up and sales assistance with Exchange Club
21 May thru 25 May, HAF coverage for assisting in sales and escorting flag owners and in sales to the public.
25 May, ( Memorial Day) Lebanon Veterans Appreciation Ceremony at the Veteran’s Museum and Veteran’s Center, @ 10:00
25 May, (Memorial Day) take down of HAF, return to N Britt’s home and store away, time TBD by Nancy Britt.
25 May, Needham’s Nursery , Mt. Juliet Memorial Day Drone Show, @ 7:00PM with Post 281
24 May – 29 May, Boy’s State, TN TECH, Cookville,
Officer’s reports: 1st V / 2nd V / Adj / FO / SO / CHAP-sick call / HG / ALR / SAL / Aux efforts, HAF Sign-up sheets to be passed around, Needham’s Nursery recruiting booth.
Old unfinished business ? What our future looks like
Current field of proposed Post Officers/ at this current time,
Mike Faoro Commander
Brandon Adderholt 1st Vice
Wayne Smith 2nd Vice
Jeff Mattingly Adjutant
Patti Whitmore Service Officer
Steve Iles Treasure
David Hale Chaplin
Mike Adams Seargent at Arms.
Discussion regarding a Leadership committee for new/future officer positions and the and open the floor up for nominations of the leadership of the Legion Year of 26-27 , with election taking place at the end of May’s regular post meeting.
Assemble of the outgoing and incoming officers for the post.
Administer the Installation of the Post Officers for Legion Year 2026-2027
New Business/Correspondence/Business for the good of the American Legion
Sign Sympathy Card for The Cundal (Marie) Family. Acknowledge the receipt of a thank you note from the Queener family.