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.
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.
At 1730 hrs., doors opened at Rutland Place, 435 NW Rutland Road, Mt. Juliet, TN for fellowship & celebration.
OPENING CEREMONY & ACTIVITIES
At 1800 Commander Terry 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 Sergeant-at-Arms Mike Adams. This was followed by The Pledge of Allegiance.
A moment of silence was held for Post 281 members who died in 2025, including Barry Britt.
Post officers were recognized: Terry Ward (Commander), Jeff Mattingly (1st Vice), Brandon Adderholt (2nd Vice), Bruno Padovani (Adjutant), Steve Isles (Treasurer/Finance Officer), Pattie Whitmore (Service Officer), Mike Adams (Sergeant-at-Arms) & CHP David Hale (Chaplain).
Subordinate groups & leaders were recognized: SAL Dan Rhame, ALR Director Bob Ramsey, Special Recognition of Post 281 Honor Guard & Stephen Wren and their service to our community, with 528 services to our Veteran community.
Food was shared in fellowship
Christmas Carols were sung
PAST COMMANDERS PRESENT
Max Wix
GUESTS & SPEAKERS
Rick Well (Mayor, Lebanon City, TN) spoke to the post about the history of Castle Heights Military Academy and its long interwoven relationship with Lebanon.
Gwynne Queener: President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 281.
NEW MEMBERS WERE WELCOMED
None
READING OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
None.
OFFICERS REPORT
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to attend to, the closing ceremony was conducted, with closing prayer offered by Chaplain Hale. The POW/MIA Flag was retrieved for storage. This was followed by honors to our flag and the meeting was adjourned at 1931 hrs.
Our next post meeting will be held on Tuesday 13 January 2026 from 1730 to 1930 at CDCC, Room Bravo
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
Post 281 Minutes for 11 NOV , Veterans Day, a day full of activities.
Total Present 37
Officer present: 7
Regular members 20
Visitors, first time members 10
Minutes for 11 NOV 2025 regular post meeting, recorded 3 DEC 2025.
Last minute, unforeseen circumstance with Mt. Juliet, Parks and Rec folks closing down the Community Center for Veteran’s Day, forced our normally scheduled Legion meeting outdoors into the Farmers Market pavilion as a last-minute decision on where to meet, considering that a large group of our members would be gathering and expecting to meet in our normal meeting room at the Charlie Daniels Community Center. These awesome guys and gals stayed with us, for an abbreviated meeting, enduring the cold temps and the cold pizza and warm soft drinks, for what turned out to be close to an hour. 1st Vice Jeff Mattingly met everyone at the park entrance and advised them of the last-minute changes and directed them to where to park, if they wanted to stay. We had a Quilts of Honor presentation to make with Mr. Joe Rosensenski, presented to him in his niece’s car, and then hear from the Green Hills JROTC Cadet leadership in their fundraising events. All totaled, we had 37 in attendance, including a visit from Legion Post 15’s, Commander, Chris Beadle.
Several members turned around at the gate to the park when they were advised of the changes and given the option to return home due to the cold.
Officially convened at 1750 , with CDR Ward standing on a picnic table bench and whistling to get everyone’s attention. CDR Ward announced that we would hold an abbreviated meeting, wanting to address up and coming issues that were scheduled for the post and to welcome those whom were visiting.
Intended Agenda for the meeting was:
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
Recognize FMR CDRS and Guest (Chris Beadle, CDR Post 15 Lebanon and Mr. Reosenski and neice)
Adopt minutes as post on 9 Nov on the website
New members,
Update from Mt. Juliet HS, JROTC
Two Quilts of Valor Presentation , WWII Vet Joe Reosenski and former post CDR Hightower. Family members are invited. (Postscript, FCDR Hightower was called and advised of the change of venue and given the opportunity to not attend, considering the conditions at the outdoor pavilion being cold. He is rescheduled to be awarded his Quilt of Valor at the January 13th meeting. ) The presenter will be the Tennessee Coordinator for the QOV Foundation – Robert Saint John, assisted by member John Herko.
Guest Speaker, VVA Chapter 1089. Disabled Veterans Mobility Chairman Assistance Chairman, Phil LaPrad, to be primary Speaker. (Call and advised of changes and schedule to present to the post on 13 Jan 26)
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 script, updated to date for this event is now 13 DEC and NOT 20 Dec…. recorded by T Ward/ 8 DEC 25)
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!
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.
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
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: Discussion
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.
