We sent out an update back in March before the flurry of activity leading up to our June meeting. We just received our quarterly statement so I wanted to share that with everyone and introduce our newest members to one of the Easiest, Most Painless Way to help support the post financially!
Here’s our current status. 21 households enrolled, earned $54.73 for the 1st Quarter, I think, without going out of the way. It just takes a few minutes to sign up.
The screenshots below have been updated. Update, update, update, I KNOW…
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:
The following screenshots have not been updated,
Log on to the Kroger webpage and click on the Head & Shoulders icon at the upper right.
Select “My Account“, then Select, “Community Rewards“
It may say “Change Organization” or Search for (Find an Organization) DS341 and Select “Enroll” and you’re done!
Mark your calendar for a rare opportunity to learn about our nation’s origin through the eyes of historical characters with diverse experiences throughout the conflict of the American Revolution.
Agenda for June 9, 2026 Regular Post meeting, CDP/ Community Center RM B
4:45 TO 5:30 pm, SONS of the AMERICAN LEGION meeting, to be held in the small conference room. 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 guests and new members or visitors.
Dana Craven from Post TN0005 to Post TN 0281
New member Nathon Moore, not present, recruited by Pat Unger at the HAF event. Thank you Pat!
Review the posting of the minutes from the last meeting. Since being published on June 6, 26 across the website email to members, I make a motion to waive the reading of the minutes and recommend approval.
Recognize SAL members present, discussion of status of the Post 281 SAL need for members..
CDR’s comments and updates:
At our June 2, EC meeting we went over the transitions for the new Executive Council for the Commander, First Vice, Second Vice and Adjutant to make sure that the continuity of roles and responsibilities were taking place. Hand offs were on target and financial signature changes are being made. We also reviewed events for the post for the upcoming year, We reviewed the direction of the post on several fronts: Closer Involvement with the Post Auxiliary, working with the senior center to establish a meeting location, more active involvement with the community and our yearly awards program with MJPD, MJFD, WCSO, Employer of the year inMt Juliet, City if Mt. Juliet officials and Guest Speakers that post members want to hear from and lastly, recruiting new members to our post.
Boys state funding status, 11 applicants, 4 MJ HS/8 GHHS 1 Gallatin Mt. Juliet Rotary funding $1000, and Del Webb Vet’s Group $425, parents portion to be $100. Parents funded $100 per person. Former Post Commander Terry Ward and Commander Mike Faoro attended their graduation/installation ceremony in Cookeville at TTU on May 30, 2026. It was an impressive ceremony to watch how enthusiastic and responsible this year’s class conducted themselves. Attendance is really an honor for each participant as it is also a great resume item to list as well. We have scheduled two Boys State members that the post sent to give a brief presentation on their experience: Kohem Bitler and Everett Lawson
We are honored to have with us as our speaker this night a strong USMC Veteran SgtMaj, Jon Henry, PhD. Jon is also running for a seat in congress for the newly revised 6th district. John served for 27 years and now lives in the Smithville area. He is an avid farmer/rancher who sees a big picture of what is happening in these fields. He has recently completed his PhD which means he has some strong knowledge and a great message to share with us tonight.
June 22, is the funeral service for one of our own, Cary Cundall, at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Pegram, TN at 11:00
This July 4, is the 250th anniversary of our country. There are several activities happening in the community to recognize this milestone anniversary. As of today, the post has not been invited to participate in any event.
Other upcoming events:
Department Convention at the Sheraton Nashville Hotel June 26-28. Several of the EC members are attending.
County Fair Coverage August 13-22
National Convention in Louisville, KY August 26-31
Tennessee Legion College September 26-27 Department Headquarters, Nashville
Halloween in the Park October 24.
Christmas Dinner – December 8
Christmas Parade, December 12.
Buddy Checks – TBD
Officer’s reports: 1st V / 2nd V / Adj / FO / SO / CHAP-sick call / HG / ALR / SAL / AUX
Old unfinished business ?
New Business/Correspondence/Business for the good of the American Legion
Reviewed/Approved By: CMDR FAORO, POST 281, DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE
CONVENED: 1808 hrs. ADJOURNED: 1936hrs.
MEMBERS PRESENT: 20VISITORS: 1 POSTOFFICERS: 8 TOTAL: 29
ASSEMBED
At 1730 hrs., the doors of the Charlie Daniels Community Center were opened for food and fellowship. The Sergeant-at Arms, Mike Adams, provided pizza and soft drinks for members and guests.
GUESTS AND SPEAKERS
SRO Joe Bowen (Wilson County Sheriff Dept) was awarded an appreciation plaque by 2nd Vice Brandon Adderholt for community service.
PAST COMMANDERS
Pat Unger
OPENING CEREMONY
At 1808 CMDR Ward called the Post to order and Chaplain David Hale offered prayer, followed by placement of the POW/MIA Flag at the designated memorial table by the Sgt-at-Arms, Mike Adams. This was followed by The Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion.
NEW MEMBERS WERE WELCOMED
None
ACTIVITIES & AWARDS
SRO Joe Bowen (Wilson County Sheriff Dept) was awarded an appreciation plaque by 2nd Vice Brandon Adderholdt for community service.
Outgoing CMDR Terry Ward received an appreciation plaque from the post for his 3 years of dedicated service in that capacity.
Outgoing Adjutant Bruno Padovani received an appreciation plaque from the post for his service as Adjutant.
MOTIONS & POST DISCUSSIONS
A motion to wave the reading and accept as written last month’s general meeting minutes that were posted on the post’s website was made by CDR Terry Ward, seconded and then approved by a general vote of those present.
A second motion was made by Finance Officer Steve Iles to approve the post’s 2026/2027 budget. This motion was seconded and then approved by a general vote of those present.
OFFICERS REPORT
COMMANDER – Terry Ward
Boys State: We interviewed 13 boys (HS juniors), chose 12 and had 11 sign up. We’ve received the 50% family contributions from 8 families thus far. The post will write the $5100 check for our attendees before the end of the month. The post received $1000 and $425 from the Rotary Club and the Del Webb Veterans Association respectively to help pay for Boys State.
CMDR Ward urged all eligible members to join SAL.
CMDR Ward notified the post that he & Pat Unger would be moving on to SAL officer positions, adjutant & commander respectively.
The post is currently sitting at 205 paid members vs. the target of 202. He urged us all to encourage veteran family, friends & acquaintances to join the American Legion.
As outgoing commander, he urged us all to support incoming commander Mike Faoro, and thanked everyone who helped him and contributed towards the post’s success during his 3 year tenure.
1ST VICE – Jeff Mattingly
Nothing to report.
2ND VICE – Brandon Adderholt
Nothing to report
ADJUTANT – Bruno Padovani.
Renewal season for 2027 membership begins in July.
FINANCE OFFICER – Steve Iles
Post finances are good. Bank account is $8322 and we have 3 CDs worth $23,000.
Received donations in memory of Cary Cundall in excess of $1100. All money will go into the general fund.
The 2026/2027 budget (which was approved by a general vote of those present) will take effect on 1 June 2026.
SERVICE OFFICER – Patti Whitmore.
Medical Equipment Repair Day on 6 June 0800-1200 at Grace Methodist Church at 2905 N. Mt. Juliet Road. Bring your medical devices to be repaired or be a volunteer. For more information call 615-852-8449.
CHAPLAIN – David Hale.
Max Wix continues his chemotherapy treatments, but at a reduced dosage. Gloria’s condition is stable and she’s eating better.
Don Barnes is getting over his pneumonia
Lew Hightower’s wife, who has stage 4 pancreatic cancer was moved into hospice.
Bill Brows was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS – Mike Adams
Nothing to report
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Honor Guard
540 services/events attended.
Sons of the American Legion – Squadron Commander Dan Rhame
Meetings will be held at 1700 on post meeting nights. Pat Unger, Terry Ward and Joe Colandro will be commander, adjutant and finance offer respectively.
American Legion Riders – Phil Friedi
36th running of RFTW will honor Desert Storm vets. Be at the Beckwith Rd. I-40 overpass at 1430 on 18 May to cheer them on. The post donated $300 to the event.
Oratorical – Bruno Padovani
Nothing to report
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
New post officers voted, approved and then sworn in at 1931:
Commander: Mike Faoro
1st Vice: Brandon Adderholdt
2nd Vice: Wayne Smith
Adjutant: Jeff Mattingly
Finance Officer: Steve Iles
Service Officer: Patti Whitmore
Chaplain: David Hale
Sergeant-At-Arms: Mike Adams
NEW BUSINESS
None
FOR THE GOOD OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
Gwen Queener thanked the post for their support after her husband’s death.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to attend to, the closing ceremony was conducted by CMDR Faoro, with closing prayer offered by Chaplain Hale This was followed by honors to our flag and the meeting was adjourned at 1936 hrs.
IMPORTANT DATES/EVENTS
May’s Calendar events:
TN American Legion College 26 and 27 Sep… Apply on Dept Web site
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, 1ST Baptist Church, Mt. Juliet Memorial Day Drone Show, @ 7:00PM with Post 281
24 May – 29 May, Boy’s State, TN TECH, Cookville,
26-28 Jun, Dept Convention, Sheraton Music City, here in Nshville. $40 fee, but early registration is $20 if made before 29 May.
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.
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.
