An invitation for all members and all Veterans or sons of Veterans to attend the 11 June 2024 Post 281 meeting.

6:00 PM, Pizza, Soft Drink and socializing time. 

On or about 6:45,  Begin opening protocol for the meeting.

Recognize QOV presentation for post member Barry Mortensen as presented by John Herko and QOV coordinator  Robet St. John. 

Adoption of the minutes

Officer reports:    1^st Vice, 2^nd Vice,  ADJ, FO, SO,  S@A, CH (sick call)

Committee,   John Herko, Constitution and By-Laws Committee update and presentation for a  motion to be voted up on by the regular members.  

HG, ALR, SAL, Auxiliary updates.   

Unfinished business:   Motion by the ADJ to consider increasing our Dues to $50.00 per year. 

CDR offers After Action Review of HAF.      The Good-Bad-Ugly?

Short- and Long-range event plans,   

a. Ceremony in honor of Tyler Cates in Sep, or post picnic and then a special time of reflection about Tyler during the picnic?    

b. Halloween in the Park

c. Mt J Cmas Parade

               d. Cmas Social/Banquet

Speaker for our meetings.    Who do we want to hear?    Is it a good thing or is it not effective? 

New Business  Correspondence

Anything else for the good of the legion.  

Closing Protocol. 

Did you know some big box home improvement stores don’t allow military discounts on appliances and other things like lumber?

If you have encountered this and wondered why, well me too. I guess lumber pricing is so volatile it may be justifiable. But appliances?

Maybe this link under Resources/Veterans Affairs Info will help. One of those big box stores partners with AAFES (Army & Air Force Exchange Service). If you sign up and search for say, ‘refrigerators’, you’ll be able to shop that big box store Tax Free!

Contact us through the website link for available times.

Come and experience the Honoring America’s Flag display sponsored by the Mount Juliet Exchange Club and American Legion Post 281 of Mount Juliet, May 23rd through Memorial Day,  May 27th , held at the Mt. Juliet Clock tower at the intersection of Mt. Juliet Road and East and West Division Street, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.      

A special Honoring our American Flag celebration will be held on May 25^th at the park, sponsored by Legion Post 281.  The Post Honor Guard will “Present the Colors”   followed by Post Member SSG (USMC-R) David Hale singing The National Anthem.   Mt. Juliet Christian Academy Junior Abigail Whicker will offer her award-winning speech about the meaning of our American Constitution, followed by a presentation by local historian Phil Ponder as he presents “I am the American Flag”. 

 Come and enjoy the patriotic spirit and joyful celebration.  

If you would like to purchase a flag in honor of a loved one that served in our US Military, flags for purchase will be available too.  Tie a yellow ribbon on the flag to dedicate your special message of devotion and love.  

6:00 PM  Pizza, Soft Drinks, and socialize time, Mt Juliet Senior Activity Center, 

 On or about 6:45, Opening protocol for  meeting

1. Recognize Guest and State Rep Susan Lynn is the guest speaker.
2.  Adoption of the distributed minutes
3. Officer reports
4.  CDR presents Honoring America’s Flag  (HAF) planning and execution.

Present Calendar of events for the month of May.   Circulate coverage sheet for HAF.

16 May  HAF prep day,  Nancy Britts on 291 Guill Rd at 0900

19 May  RFTW bridge coverage @ 2:45 to 3:30 on at the Beckwith Road overpass, (exit 229 on I-40) with American Flag waving at the RFTW riders head east to Pete’s Truck Stop for refuels.

19-24 May Boys State at TN Tech.  

23 May  HAF layout and buildout at the Mt Juliet clock tower/ Train Station    

                0730   Pat Unger and Carry Cundal conduct layout and marking at clock tower.

0830   Volunteer with Sledgehammers and Leather Gloves for set up of field.

0930   Trustees arrive to help with set up.

1000 Assist Exchange club with escorts and sales.   Begin 2400 hr. coverage.

                Scheduled coverage of volunteers    Blood Assurance Donations

25 May,  Scheduled Coverage,    Program @ 5:00 PM HAF @ Clock Tower  , David Hale Sing  National Anthem,  Hornor Guard Presents the Colors, Abigail Whicker to give Oratorical presentation,  Phil Ponder present the History of our American Flag, Blood Assurance Donations

26 May, Scheduled Coverage

27 May, Scheduled Coverage, shut down and stow away at 1400-1500 as per guidance from Nancy Britt.     On or about 1500 transport all of the flags and the support material back to Nancy Britt’s home.    

• Committee report: 

Present Budge for 2024/2025 from John Herko

•  Sick Call/ Chaplain Assistant
•  Unfinished business /  SAL/ HG/ AUX/ ALR reports  
•  New Business:   ELECTION OF 2024/2025 OFFICERS  

                Current Nominations  

 CRD Ward, continuing for second year and seventh term.     

1^st Vice, Mike Faoro third term

2^nd Vice,  Nomination of Bob Snuck   

Adjutant Shawn Taylor continues for third term.

Finance Officer Steve Iles continues for 6^th Term.

Service Officer Patti Whitmore continues for 2^nd Term.

SGT AT Arms Don Barns continues for 1^st full term.

Chaplin David Hale begins 3^rd term.

•  Installation of Post Officers for Legion Year 2024/2025 conducted by former Post Commander Pat Unger
• Closing Protocol

The Honor Guard has been busy over the past few weeks. Two services at Bond in Mt. Juliet. One in the rain at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery and two visits with the 1st Cavalry Division, Delta Co, 1st Bn, 5th Cav, The First Team, at their reunion and memorial for their comrades KIA during Viet Nam.  Great group, very gracious and welcoming.  They presented us with their unit flag, a donation to the Post, and a 1st Cavalry Division challenge coin for each of our participants.

What’s a challenge coin?