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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

11 NOV , Veterans Day, a day full of activities.

Written by Terry Ward on . Posted in Announcements.

Wilson County Veterans Day Parade starts at 10:15  AM

Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Veterans Plaza, Lebanon, starting 11:00 AM.

Post 281 Honor Guard conducts a rifle volley during the ceremony

12:00 NOON, 281 member David Hale sings National Anthem at Mission BBQ, Opry Mills. 

 Free sandwiches for Vets.

Agenda for Legion Post 281’s regular post meeting, 11 Nov 2025 Charlie Daniels Park, Mt. Juliet,  Community Center/Conference Room Bravo, food and camaraderie at 5:30 PM, meeting starts at 6:00 PM

Meeting protocol:  Welcome guest and all members in attendance

Two Quilts of Valor Presentation ,   WWII Vet Joe Reosenski and former post CDR Hightower.   Family members are invited.   The presenter will be the Tennessee Coordinator for the QOV Foundation — Ginger Fondren, assisted by member John Herko.

Guest Speaker, VVA Chapter 1089. Disabled Veterans Mobility Chairman Assistance Chairman,  Phil LaPrad,  to be primary Speaker.  

CDR:   Discus

6 DEC Wilson Warriors Special Breakfast at the Lebanon National Guard Armory, 0800.   Post 281 HG to receive special recognition for their service to the community.   NO COST, but donations will be accepted

9 DEC Annual Post Banquet at the Rutland Center, starting at 6:00 PM, Speaker is Lebanon’s Mayor, Rick Bell .    Doors open at 5:30 PM

13 DEC Mt. Juliet Cmas Parade,  

20 DEC, Wreaths Across America,  David Hale to update. 

Post Officers Reports:

1st Vice/2nd Vice/ADJ/FO/SO/Chap-Sick Call/HG/ALR/

OLD Business

Next meeting :   9 DEC  Annual Christmas Banquet. Rutland Center,   

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.