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Kroger Community Rewards Update #2

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

Quick Update: Thanks to all that attended our meeting last night and expressing an interest in contributing to the post using the Kroger App. For all others that weren’t able to make it we look forward to seeing you next month! There’s a lot going on. Officer Nominations, Tree Sale, New Budget planning, pre-planning for Honor America’s Flag event..

If you’re having trouble signing up, reply to this email and let me know when I can call to help.

Most everyone has one of these. That is an account with Kroger that allows you to take advantage of their discounts and accrue fuel points or other rewards.

Other Rewards?

Other Rewards like Community Rewards!

You may remember some past postings here titled, “Almost Painless“. Here’s how the ‘new’ screens look.

Start the Kroger App on your phone and Click on the Head & Shoulders icon at the top left

Scroll Down PAST, “My Account“

Select, “Community Rewards“

It may say “Change Organization” or Search for (Find an Organization) DS341 and Select “Enroll” and you’re done!

For those wishing to use a computer:

Log on to the Kroger webpage and click on the Head & Shoulders icon at the upper right.

Select, “Community Rewards“

It may say “Change Organization” or Search for (Find an Organization) DS341 and Select “Enroll” and you’re done!

That was Almost Painless wasn’t it?

Agenda for 10 Feb 2026 Regular Post meeting,  Charlie Daniels Park / Community Center Room Bravo

Written by Terry Ward on . Posted in American Legion Post 281 News, Announcements.

Welcome all Veterans.

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.

Review the posting of the minutes from the last meeting being published on 3 FEB 26 across the Website to members, recommendation for approval.    

Introduction of speaker, Mr. Phil Laprad,  VVA Mobility Chairman    

CDR’s comments and updates

                Boys state funding / voting ballot, distro and collection.

                American Legion Family day on the hill….12 Mar,  8:45 until 5:00

                Discussion regarding a Leadership committee for new/future officer positions

                Wilson County VVA food trailer offer.

                POW/MIA recovery efforts by member Bob Snuck

Officer’s reports:  1st V  / 2nd V /  Adj / FO / SO / CHAP-sick call /  HG / ALR /  SAL /  Aux  efforts?   

Old unfinished business  ?

Boys State funding, tally results .    

Discussion of the offer from Wilson County VVA’s food trailer and initial support from members to support. 

New Business/Correspondence/Business for the good of the American Legion

Closing Protocol

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

Veterans Day on Capitol Hill, volunteers to attend, 28 Jan 2026.

Written by Terry Ward on . Posted in Announcements.

All members,

Veterans Day on Capitol Hill is scheduled for 28 Jan 2026, as mentioned last night during our meeting. If you have an interest in attending so you can meet our state representatives to express concerns as a Veteran, you will need to let me know so I can send the registration link to you. I do not have a block of seats or given a quota. It is a first come, first serve, type of registration and there are a limited number of seats available. Typically the seats are filled up quickly.

If you want to attend, let me know by tagging the “contact us” tab on this website.

13 January 2026, Regular Post meeting agenda

Written by Terry Ward on . Posted in Announcements.

Agenda for 13 Jan 2026 Regular Post meeting,  Charlie Daniels Park / Community Center

Room Bravo

5:30 PM Social time of food and camaraderie

6:00 PM/Opening protocol  Welcome all members and guest and all visitors present. 

Recognize former Commanders present and QOV and FMR CDR Lew Hightower and family.   Recognize other special guest, MJFD EMT of the year Lt. Guy Flowers and MJPD Police Officer of the year SGT Kyle Holtmeyer and family members attending with them along with other member of the MJ Police and Fire Depts.   Recognize member Joseph Padillia, Wilson CNTY School Board member.   

Review the posting of the minutes from the last meeting being published on 12 Jan 26 across the Website to members., 

Introduction of members Robert St. John and John Herko who will award a Quilt of Valor to former Post CDR Lew Hightower.   Recognize family in attendance with FMR CRD Hightower.  

Introduce MJFD EMT of the year Lt. Guy Flowers and MJPD Police Officer of the year SGT Kyle Holtmeyer and family members attending with them along with other member of the MJ Police and Fire Depts, award Post excellent community service recognition plaques.

Recognize member Joeseph Padillia who will present a Wilson County School Board resolution certificate to all Veterans of Post 281 and all Veterans.   

Recognize New member to the post that are in attendance. 

CDR’s comments and updates

Officer’s reports:  1st V absent  / 2nd V /  Adj / FO / SO / CHAP-sick call /  HG / ALR /  SAL /  Aux  efforts?  /

Old unfinished business  ?

New Business/Correspondence/Business for the good of the American Legion

Next regular meeting 10 February, with special guest Phil LaPrad, VVA mobility Chairman, regular time and regular place.

Closing Protocol.   

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