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Post 281 Member’s Update for December

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

News and Notes for December 2024

  1. Minutes for the 12 November meeting were sent to each registered post email on 6 DEC, through the post website. 

2. The agenda for the annual banquet is included below which includes special guest speaker and  author Susan P. Hunter.  

3. The annual Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade is scheduled for 14 Dec.    Our post will have a float with our Post sign and Christmas decorations .   Those participating are to be at the SAC NLT at 8:00 AM for prep and movement to the parade staging area at West Wilson Middle School.    The parade ends at Charlie Daniels Park or in the vicinity near Woodbridge Road, approximately at noon.   Transportation back to the SAC will be by van. 

4. The local chapter of Wreaths across America is looking for volunteers to help offload trucks at the National Veterans Cemetery at 1420 Gallatin Pike on two dates, 11 DEC at 0900 and 13 DEC at 0900, as coordinated by Mary Roberts with Mission BBQ.     Any interested parties can contact me, CDR Ward, or Chaplain David Hale for more details.  As a post, we have contributed $630 towards the purchase of wreaths for this special occasion.   

  5. Next scheduled post meeting is to be held on 14 JAN 2025 at the Senior Activity Center. 

Christmas Banquet Agenda Below:

American Legion Post 281 Annual Christmas Banquet

Rutland Place

435 NW Rutland Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN 

10 DEC 2024

Sequence of events:

  • Doors open at 5:45 PM.   Assure to get a ticket for a door prize.    
  • Social Time 5:45 PM until 6:15 PM
  • 6:15 PM Welcome Remarks, Commander Terry Ward
  • Prayer Chaplain David Hale
  • POW/MIA Ceremony/  1st Vice Mike Faoro and Sgt at Arms Don Barnes
  • The buffet line for dinner opens at 6:30 PM
  • Dinnertime  6:30 PM until 7:15 PM, with coffee/iced tea/water and dessert 
  • On or about 7:15 PM recognize special guests and speaker, Mrs. Susan P. Hunter, Author of 77 Letters
  • Singalong Christmas Carols, Chaplain David Hale
  • On or about 8:30 PM closing remarks and final door prize drawing
  • *******  Bring a bag or two of hard candy for collection, to be distributed to the kids along the parade route on 14 December, with the annual Mt. Juliet Christmas parade. **********************

12 November 2024 General Meeting Minutes

Written by Shawn R. Taylor on . Posted in Minutes.

General Meeting Minutes

COMPILED/SUBMITTED BY:  ADJUTANT Shawn R Taylor   

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Date: 12 November 2024

Reviewed By: COMMANDER Terry Ward, POST 281, Tyler Cates, Dept of TN      

CONVENED:  1830   ADJOURNED: 2010  

MEMBERS PRESENT: 32      VISITORS: 11       POST OFFICERS: 9      TOTAL: 52

ASSEMBED

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Sign Up Now

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in Announcements.

The Deadline to Sign Up is 25 November.

So far, we have 61 folks coming to the party. Come on, it’ll be fun!

Door prizes & Story telling by Susan P. Hunter- Author about her book, 77 Letters.

Very Good food and Great company!

Please use the following link to RSVP and help our caterer with preparations.

Please try to select your dessert preferences while you’re in there. There’s a little checkbox for additional items.

Pecan Pie or Banana Pudding

When you receive confirmation of your sign up it will say for you to bring your menu selections, NOT. That’s just the way this signup thing assumes you’re signing up and volunteering to bring things. We don’t have the ability to edit the confirmations. So please don’t bring anything but yourselves! You may pay at the door if you haven’t already done so. $20 each.

Oh, and if you’ve signed up at one of our meetings, then please go ahead and use this link to confirm. It will really help a lot!

Here’s the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DAFA62DA7F5C52-52895620-christmas

Thanks for your help. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

alremb

On the Ride

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

Our American Legion Riders were out the other day supporting the Veterans Day Parade & Celebration on 11 Nov and the TVHS VA Parade on 16 Nov.

Just a few pictures below from the Tennessee Valley Healthcare Services Parade where there were some curious JROTC cadets. The cadet from the Smyrna HS JROTC marched in the parade and helped us represent some great Americanism in the works. Thanks to all who participated!

Our ALR members are on the ride representing The American Legion, our Post and supporting good causes that help our fellow veterans. We welcome you to ride with us!

Do you have a motorcycle 500cc or greater? Get a hold of Bob Ramsey or Phil Friedli for more information.

Almost Painless

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

If you’re like me, Fundraising is not my favorite subject.

While learning about Wreaths Across America something came to light that seems like a good fit for our membership.

How many of you shop at Kroger? If you do, you probably have a Kroger+ card to get the exclusive discounts by using the card. You may even have a Kroger credit card which is or can be linked to the Kroger+ card.

Our post has been approved to participate in Kroger’s Community Rewards program. In doing so, you can select Post 281 as your favorite charity and a percentage of your purchases will automatically be donated to the post without additional cost to you! Every little bit helps, right?

Here’s some guidance:

To Use the Kroger Community Rewards Program:
Simply encourage your participants to visit http://www.kroger.com. Once logged into their Kroger account they can search for Tyler Cates American Legion Post 281 either by name or DS341 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.

*Customers must have a registered Kroger rewards card account to link to your organization.
*If a member does not yet have a Kroger rewards card, please let them know they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger

REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your organization until after your participants register their rewards card.
Participants must swipe their registered Kroger rewards card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger rewards card when shopping for each purchase to count.

If you need help, please let us know so we can help you get signed up.

In addition to the Kroger Community Rewards program we signed up for “iGive“

Established in 1997, iGive is the first online shopping mall where a portion of each purchase benefits the shopper’s favorite cause. iGive members have raised close to $10 million for charities across the U.S. and Canada, and this small army of caring shoppers have become an influential force in the internet marketplace. Over 1,700 of the web’s best stores have come to recognize the value of iGive shoppers, and this allows iGive to negotiate some of the best donation rates and exclusive coupons for its members. As an added bonus, when you shop through iGive you always have the extra support of their highly responsive customer service team, just in case something goes amiss.

Help Tyler Cates American Legion Post 281 Raise Much-Needed Funds.
Every time you shop at any of the 1,700+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Tyler Cates American Legion Post 281. It’s a free service, and you’ll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. In fact, smart shoppers will enjoy iGive’s repository of coupons, free shipping deals, and sales. To get started, just create your free iGive account.
> Start iGiving at: www.iGive.com/TylerCatesAmericanLegionPost281

Walmart, Tractor Supply, Best Buy, Macy’s, Kohl’s to name a few. If you shop online, please bookmark our page and use iGive to funnel a little extra in our coffers to help fund the things we do.

Under Armour Warehouse Sale

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in Announcements.

Today Only 11/15/24

On Nov 14, 2024, at 1:03 PM, Lassiter, Johnnie

Hey Terry,

Wanted to let you know that we are having a sale of Under Armour merchandise here at Distribution House located at 13 Athletes Way, Mount Juliet. I wanted to invite you as well as the other Post 281 Members to come out and see what we have. Many of our items such as footwear, apparel and accessories are well below the prices at our outlets and would love for you and the other Post 281 members to come out and take advantage of this. This event will be held today and tomorrow from 11 to 4pm Sir. If you or any of the other members do decide to come, just identify yourselves as members of Post 281 to our Security Staff and they will gladly direct them to where to go. If you have any questions, you can contact me direct at 615-671-0166

Respectfully,

Johnnie Lassiter

NDH Asset Protection Specialist, UA Protect

Wreaths Across America

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in Announcements.

Please join us in honoring our fallen veterans on Saturday December 14, 2024 @ 11:00 am at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery.

             In 1992, the Worcester Wreath Company began a tradition of placing remembrance wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. This annual tribute continued solely for Arlington until The Wreaths Across America (WAA) nonprofit was established in 2007 and expanded to honor all veterans buried in cemeteries across our United States. Thousands of volunteers participate annually to help raise funds and by laying remembrance wreaths at the base of white headstones throughout the country during December.

Our mission is to REMEMBER the lives and sacrifices of our fallen veterans, HONOR all who serve and their families and TEACH the younger generations about the cost of those freedoms they enjoy every day.  At the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (MTSVC), an approximately 30 minute tribute ceremony, is held in the enclosed rotunda/chapel on the hill overlooking the cemetery. This service is open to the public. Upon completion, volunteers lay a remembrance wreath at headstones throughout the cemetery. Fundraising to purchase wreaths is a major challenge each year, as unfortunately, new headstones are added each day. Our wreath need is ever increasing. Remembrance wreaths must be sponsored or purchased by November 26, 2024.

Remembrance wreaths cost $17 each and may be purchased online or by check. Our local, Friends & Family Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery sponsorship group, has a unique code (TN0080) assigned by WAA that provides a third wreath free for every two sponsored. To sponsor wreaths online either use the QR Code below or please go to our website http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TN0080  Payment may also be made by check payable to “Wreaths Across America” with “TN0080” on the memo line and mail to: 91 Appleton Road, Five Points, TN 38457. And a final option is to sponsor a wreath by texting “WREATH24” to 20222 with your cell phone. 

Sponsoring designated wreaths for a specific veteran/grave may be done online by choosing “Grave Specific” in more options when ordering. If you have any issues navigating the website, please contact Gino Giambelluca via email at gene3fan@yahoo.com , by home phone (931) 556-2340 or call/text (931) 242-7931. If purchasing with a check, just include a note with the veteran’s name as it appears on the headstone and location in the cemetery.

Please do not contact the cemetery directly for information about Wreaths Across America. All questions or concerns should be directed to Amanda Brown, WAA Location Coordinator and solely responsible for the program.

           Ceremony held at:  

Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (MTSVC)  

    7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, Tennessee 37221  (615) 532-2238                  

 Point of Contact:      Amanda Brown / abrownwaatn@gmail.com  (918) 808-2779 cell

Kroger Plus card community rewards charity code “YW675” 

Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/waamtsvc

November 25

Written by Jeff Mattingly on . Posted in Announcements.

Is the Deadline to Sign Up

‘Tis the season!

Please use the following link to RSVP and help our caterer with preparations.

Please try to select your dessert preferences while you’re in there. There’s a little checkbox for additional items.

Pecan Pie or Banana Pudding

When you receive confirmation of your sign up it will say for you to bring your menu selections, NOT. That’s just the way this signup thing assumes you’re signing up and volunteering to bring things. We don’t have the ability to edit the confirmations. So please don’t bring anything but yourselves! You may pay at the door if you haven’t already done so. $20 each.

Oh, and if you’ve signed up at one of our meetings, then please go ahead and use this link to confirm. It will really help a lot!

Here’s the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DAFA62DA7F5C52-52895620-christmas

Thanks for your help. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Post Meeting Agenda for 12 Nov

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

News and Notes for the 12 Nov Regular Post meeting.  

6:00 PM Pizza, Chips and Soft Drinks during social time.

On or about 6:30, Begin Opening Protocol.

Boys State attendees.     

Introduce guest speaker Mayor James Maness to come and address post and answer questions 

Adopt Minutes as posted by Adjutant 

Christmas Banquet planning.   The annual Christmas Banquet will again be held at Rutland Senior Place at 435 NW Rutland Rd.   Doors will open at 6:00 PM.   To make reservations, let Steve Iles know at our meeting that you want to attend, or you can make reservations online at the following link.   Post 281: Christmas Banquet for 2024 .   Be sure to choose your main course and your dessert.    The cost is $20 per person.   You can pay at the meeting or at the door the night of the banquet.   Special Guest Speaker for the evening will be Susan Hunter as she describes the writing of her book 77 Letters, regarding letters sent to American Soldiers in Viet Nam from her mother.   

Challenge Coin,   We have worked up a challenge coin for our post.   It will be introduced to the members on Tuesday.   The decision was made to offer members a chance to purchase their own coins to give away.   The cost of each coin will be $ 8.00 each for members.    The coins will be given away to special recipients by the post where their service to our post and our community is noted.  Attached is a working proof of the coin.    (Terry wrote this. I can’t see how to attach the proof and it looked to tiny. So I thought to make it the featured image, above. Hope you like it! JM)

 New Business,    Wreaths Across America,     New event for the post to participate in.   David Hale and 2nd Vice Bob Snuck are our post representatives.     A member would like us to consider making this a yearly effort on the part of the post, if nothing else, just that our post should ask for a donation to contribute to the cause.   One member of our post is planning to donate $300.00

Flowers for Steven Cates, Tyler’s father, on behalf of the post.