We’re now hoping 5 Oct 24 will have good weather and we can have some fun at the Cedar Creek Campground Pavilion, 9264 Saundersville Rd Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 beginning at Noon.
Have you already signed up? If you had already signed up for the original date, we’ve attempted to recreate your RSVP. Please let us know if things have changed and you won’t be able to attend.
Hope to see you there! Please sign up to let us know you’re coming!
Reviewed and Approved By: COMMANDER Terry Ward, POST 281, Tyler Cates, Dept of TN
CONVENED: 1839 ADJOURNED: 1940
MEMBERS PRESENT: 22VISITORS: 2POSTOFFICERS:7 TOTAL: 31
ASSEMBED
At 1800 hrs., the doors of the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center (MJSAC) were opened for food and fellowship. Sergeant-at Arms, Don Barnes, provided pizza and soft drinks for members and guests.
GUESTS AND SPEAKERS
Jason Bunch – Prospective Member
Don Moody – Prospective Member
Phil Ponder – Local artist and past Metro Councilmember.
OPENING CEREMONY
At 18:30 CMDR Ward called the Post to order and offered prayer, followed by placement of the POW/MIA Flag at the designated memorial table by Sgt-at-Arms Don Barnes. This was followed by The Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion.
Past Commanders and Distinguished Guests
Phil Ponder is a featured speaker, originally from Ocala, FL. Graduated with a BS/BA from the USN Candidate school. Served on a mine sweeper. He gave his speech, “I am the American Flag”. Red signifies courage, white for purity and blue for determination. The Flag was originally brought to Betsy Ross with 6-point stars. She converted them to 5-point stars.
New members were welcomed:
None
READING OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
Motion to wave the reading and accept as written the July and August minutes that were posted on the post’s website was made by Robert St. John. Seconded by John Drenk. Motion Approved.
OFFICERS REPORT
COMMANDER – Terry Ward
The new post sticker was shown to the membership. Resembles the old sticker but with the American Flag filling the sides and is larger. The sticker will be used as a medallion on a plaque that will be created and presented to distinguished guests and/or community leaders in the future.
The annual picnic will depend on the weather, scheduled to be held on 14 Sep.
Made special mention of the recent passing of members Ray Forester and Pat Kain, who were both active in post events in the past. Also included was information about SPC R. Vaden, where members of our post helped secure the final resting place for a Veteran that had passed, and his remains were never properly entombed. Chaplin Hale led a moment of silence in their memory and in recognition of those who passed during the 9-11 tragedy on our nation along with the Veterans mentioned.
1ST VICE – Mike Faoro
In remembrance of 9/11; 23 years ago, this evening, 3,000 families would spend their last night together without knowing it. “Never Forget”
2ND VICE – Bob Snuck
September 14th is a celebration for Tyler Cates. Bring a side dish.
September 28th is the veteran’s ball.
October 19th is Halloween in the Park.
November 11th is Veteran’s Day.
December 10th is the banquet.
December 14th is the Christmas Parade.
ADJUTANT – Shawn Taylor
The Department will begin depositing funds from online renewals in December.
Tennessee Legion College will be September 28th and 29th, 2024. Online Basic Training is a prerequisite.
Former Post 88 commander, Mike Griffin, is now the Department Assistant Adjutant.
Mid-Winter Conference will be January 11th and 12th, 2025 in Murfreesboro.
National Commander, LaCoursiere, Visit Posts 17 and 88 on September 14th and 15th.
5 members passed away in August;
Raymond Forester Jr; #202624188
John Patrick Kane; #201275287
Bobby Gammons; #200534468
Ed Binkley; #202195678
William C Thompson; #200502078
FINANCE OFFICER – Steve Iles
Post 281 finances are healthy. $15,442 is in the checking. $22k in 3 CD’s.
Next month the sign-up sheet for the banquet will be passed around.
SERVICE OFFICER – Patti Whitmore
Excused
Per Cmdr., shortfall from congress is being held from the V.A. Call your congressman and tell them to release the funds.
CHAPLAIN – David Hale
SICK CALL
George Barnes. Hanging in there. Struggling. Can not sit for long.
Lew Hightower. Doing well.
Fred Higdon. Knee replacement.
Pat Constanzo. Needs prayers. Wife Betty has severe depression.
Max Wix. Has lymphoma Leukemia. Nugget passed away. He had belonged to their daughter, Robin, before her passing.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS – Don Barnes
Nothing to Report
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Honor Guard – Capt. Steve Wren
Busy week last week. 3 funerals. That makes 479 ceremonies since the honor guard’s inception in 2011.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Nothing to Report
NEW BUSINESS
Nothing to Report
FOR THE GOOD OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
Property tax exemption for veterans that are 100% disabled is only funded through 2025. Reach out to your elected officials and tell them to extend it.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to attend to, the closing ceremony was conducted, with closing prayer offered. The POW/MIA Flag was retrieved for storage. This was followed by honors to our flag and the meeting was adjourned at 1940 hrs.
Due to the pending messy weather that is headed our way over the next few days, we are postponing our annual Picnic that is scheduled for this Saturday and moving the picnic to a new date of 5 OCT.
The location for the picnic on 5 OCT 2024 is now going to be Cedar Creek Campground, at 9264 Saundersville Road, Mt. Juliet, which is on Old Hickory Lake.
It is a large recreation area with a large pavilion and a large grill, a playground, and a sand beach on the lake.
If you would, share this information with anyone that you thought was planning to attend this Saturday’s event, so they get the “word”.
Some of you may have received a reminder email from our ‘SignUpGenius’ which still had the original date and location in it. I was able to edit the title of the event which has the updated date and location. The date and location further down in the event can not be changed with out starting a new event and we hope it’s not too confusing. That being said, here’s the link to use for RSVP and helping hands:
Due to the pending messy weather that is headed our way over the next few days, we are postponing our annual Picnic that is scheduled for this Saturday and moving the picnic to a new date of 5 OCT. The location for the picnic on 5 OCT 2024 is now going to be Cedar Creek Campground, at 9264 Saundersville Road, Mt. Juliet, which is on Old Hickory Lake. It is a large recreation area with a large pavilion and a large grill, a playground, and a sand beach on the lake. If you would, share this information with anyone that you thought was planning to attend this Saturday’s event, so they get the “word”.
Post 281 Annual Picnic and Memorial commemorating Tyler Cates’ sacrifice 20 years ago. 14 Sep 24 – 1200 noon, Charlie Daniels Park, Mt. Juliet, Pavilion #5
Be There or Be Square!
Please click on the following link to RSVP and to let us know if you can help out with any of the “slots” we need assistance with.
Welcome to the Wilson County Veterans Benefit Ball! Join us for a night of celebration and support for our No Vet Left Behind Program at The Mill at Lebanon. Get ready to dance, mingle, and enjoy delicious food and drinks, all for a great cause. Let’s unite as a community to honor and give back to those who have served our country. Don’t miss out on this special event! You have the unique opportunity to help our office continue to provide emergency assistance to local Veterans experiencing an immediate emergent need pertaining to housing, food, medicines, and transportation. Our program operates solely off donations and all proceeds will go towards the program. We greatly appreciate your continued support!
Ok all you volunteers, below you will find a website link to use to sign up for a time slot at the Wilson County/Tennessee State Fair American Legion information booth, at the Veterans’ Building at the Wilson County Fair Ground. All you do is click on the link, pick your day and time and when asked insert your data. You will be remind 2 days before the time you’re schedule to work at the email address you provide. You will also notice that there is a 1-5 pm slot during the week, but the Fair doesn’t open until 5pm so ignore the week days but not for the weekends. If you have any questions or troubles contact Terry Ward @ 615-519-6523 or Bob Snuck @ 615-479-1968. Free entrance parking passes will be coordinated with those that sign up for booth coverage.
