Fifth District Oratorical Contest
2023-01-21

Fifth District Oratorical Contest
2023-01-28
AMERICAN LEGION ORATORICAL CONTEST: In August, TN Department mailed Oratorical information to Post Commanders, Adjutants, and High Schools. Please visit your schools as soon as possible. First place state scholarship is $3000. Please have contestants’ applications must reach Department Headquarters byJanuary 10, 2023, no exceptions.
Fifth District (includes Post 281) contest January 28th at Providence United Methodist Church, 2293 S Rutland Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122.
Please visit www.tennesseelegion.org/oratorical for additional contest information. Department Chairman Terry Ward, 615-519- 6523, or tswardpost281@gmail.com.

Four Chaplains Sunday
2023-02-05
On Feb. 3, 1943, four Army chaplains – Father John P. Washington, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, and the Revs. George L. Fox and Clark V. Poling – gave up their life jackets on a sinking Army transport in the North Atlantic so that others might live.
Of the 902 soldiers, Navy armed guard, ship’s crew and civilian passengers on board the Dorchester, only 230 survived. They have told us of the chaplains’ efforts to restore calm in a hopeless and chaotic situation, and how they were last seen at the ship’s stern, arms linked in prayer.
The survivors’ testimony and the chaplains’ bravery are enshrined at the Chapel of Four Chaplains in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where the Chapel Memorial Foundation honors acts of selfless service nationwide in memory of the Four Chaplains and crew of USAT Dorchester.
– Louis A. Cavaliere, retired Navy captain and chairman of the Chapel of Four Chaplains, and Christine Beady, the chapel’s executive director.

WHO ARE THE FOUR CHAPLAINS?
In the early morning hours of 3 February 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was crowded to capacity, carrying 902 servicemen, merchant seamen, and civilian workers. Once a luxury coastal liner, the 5,649-ton vessel had been converted into an Army transport ship. The Dorchester, one of three ships in the SG-19 convoy, was moving steadily across the icy waters from Newfoundland toward an American base in Greenland. SG-19 was escorted by Coast Guard Cutters Tampa, Escanaba, and Comanche.
Here’s the Story: On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester carrying 902 service men, merchant seamen and civilian workers was sunk in the cold Atlantic. Through the pandemonium, according to those present, four Army chaplains brought hope in despair and light in darkness. Those chaplains were Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed. Quickly and quietly, the four chaplains spread out among the soldiers. There they tried to calm the frightened, tend the wounded and guide the disoriented toward safety. “Witnesses of that terrible night remember hearing the four men offer prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would live,” says Wyatt R. Fox, son of Reverend Fox. One witness, Private William B. Bednar, found himself floating in oil-smeared water surrounded by dead bodies and debris. “I could hear men crying, pleading, praying,” Bednar recalls. “I could also hear the chaplains preaching courage. Their voices were the only thing that kept me going.” By this time, most of the men were topside, and the chaplains opened a storage locker and began distributing life jackets. It was then that Engineer Grady Clark witnessed an astonishing sight. When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said John Ladd, another survivor who saw the chaplains’ selfless act. As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains–arms linked and braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could also be heard offering prayers. Of the 902 men aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, 672 died, leaving 230 survivors. When the news reached American shores, the nation was stunned by the magnitude of the tragedy and heroic conduct of the four chaplains. “Valor is a gift,” Carl Sandburg once said. “Those having it never know for sure whether they have it until the test comes.” That night Reverend Fox, Rabbi Goode, Reverend Poling and Father Washington passed life’s ultimate test. In doing so, they became an enduring example of extraordinary faith, courage and selflessness. The Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were awarded posthumously December 19, 1944, to the next of kin by Lt. Gen. Brehon B. Somervell, Commanding General of the Army Service Forces, in a ceremony at the post chapel at Fort Myer, VA. A one-time only posthumous Special Medal for Heroism was authorized by Congress and awarded by the President Eisenhower on January 18, 1961. The special medal was intended to have the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor.

Monthly Meeting Feb 2023
2023-02-14 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
We have grown to near 260 members and continue to welcome veterans of all our Armed Forces to join us.
We meet monthly on the 2nd Tuesday 6-8 pm at the Mt Juliet Senior Activity Center. 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd – Click for directions
This is located next door to the Church of Christ.
Entry is in the rear of the building.
Doors open at 6. We will have pizza, cold soft drinks and water. Come and join us and get to know some of the guys and gals that make our post successful.

Eagle Scout of the Year Applications Due
2023-03-01
For more information and application see:
https://www.petersons.com/scholarship/american-legion-department-of-tennessee-eagle-scout-of-the-year-111_151051.aspx

TN Department American Legion Oratorical Contest
2023-03-04
Oratorical Contest to determine a State of Tennessee winner, who will go on to compete at the National level.

Monthly Meeting Mar 2023
2023-03-14 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

RSVP March 23 - Luncheon for National Vietnam War Veterans Day
2023-03-23 09:00 - 21:00 UTC
2023_March_29_National_Vietnam_War_Veterans_Day.pdf

National Vietnam War Veterans Day
2023-03-29

Monthly Meeting Apr 2023
2023-04-11 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Last Day to Order Trees from TAL Auxiliary Unit 281
2023-04-12
2023_April_Trees_Order_Form.pdf

American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 281, Tree Pick-Up
2023-04-22
Additional information to follow.

Monthly Meeting May 2023
2023-05-09 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Honoring Our Flag
2023-05-26 - 2023-05-29
11th_Annual_Honor_Americas_Flag_Single_Sheet_Flyer_2023.jpg

Monthly Meeting Jun 2023
2023-06-13 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

U.S. Army Birthday
2023-06-14
Join the celebration of the U.S. Army Birthday on June 14 as we remember its creation in 1775. The army originally consisted of volunteer soldiers with roots to the Continental Army — and was formed to fight the Revolutionary War. Today, as the largest branch of the U.S. military, the proud men and women of the U.S. Army continue to provide peace and security for all of us.

TN Department Annual Convention
2023-06-17 - 2023-06-18
The Tennessee Department of The American Legion plans to hold its Annual Convention from June 17 to June 18, 2023, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville-SE, located at: 1200 Conference Center Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Meeting will start at 8:00 am and will be an all-day event.
For registration, go to: https://www.mtjulietalpost281.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023_Department_Convention_Registration_Form.pdf

Monthly Meeting Jul 2023
2023-07-11 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

U.S. Coast Guard Birthday
2023-08-04
Every year, August 4 is celebrated as the U.S. Coast Guard Birthday, commemorating the military organization for its valor and discipline. Since 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security.
The U.S. Coast Guard patrols our coasts for drug smugglers, human trafficking and both domestic and international terrorism. As the bad guys (and girls) have gotten more savvy with technology, the Coast Guard has developed sophisticated, effective technology to combat crimes on the water and at our ports. It’s a 24/7 job. Today, let’s give the U.S. Coast Guard the love it deserves.
U.S. Coast Guard is celebrated 232nd Birthday in 2022.

Monthly Meeting Aug 2023
2023-08-08 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

104th American Legion National Convention
2023-08-23 - 2023-08-31
The American Legion’s 103d National Convention will be help August 25-31, 2023, Charlotte, NC. Additional information at convention@legion.org.

Monthly Meeting Sep 2023
2023-09-12 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

U.S. Air Force Birthday
2023-09-18
Almost from the moment the Wright brothers found a way to soar with the birds, the military incorporated aeronautical pursuits into their missions. However, the Air Force did not become a separate branch of the Armed Forces until September 18, 1947.
The military established the Signal Corps as the first aeronautical force in the United States. During the Civil War, the first missions provided visional communications via flags and torchlight from aerial balloons. Even so, the Signal Corps didn’t become an official branch of the Army until 1863. Its creation made way for more aeronautical training and study.
Since then, military air service has gone through many names and commands. A few examples are the Air Service of the US Army, the Air Corps, and the Army Air Force. Finally, in 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act establishing the United States Air Force as a separate branch of the military.
As a result of pursuing advanced technology and superior airmen, the US Air Force emerged as the swiftest tactical force ready to deploy anywhere at a moment’s notice. On September 18, celebrate the airmen and women who are on watch every day.

Columbus Day
2023-10-09
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, and Columbus Day 2023 occurs on Monday, October 9. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century, but did not become a federal holiday until 1937.

Monthly Meeting Oct 2023
2023-10-10 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Monthly Meeting Nov 2023
2023-11-14 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade
2023-12-09 08:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Canceled due to weather
Join Us: We’ll meet at the MJ Senior Activity Center and then go to the staging area.

Monthly Meeting Jan 2024
2024-01-09 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Monthly Meeting Feb 2024
2024-02-13 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Monthly Meeting Mar 2024
2024-03-12 18:00 - 23:59 UTC | Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC), 2034 N Mount Juliet Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
