Skip to main content

November 2025 Post Regular Meeting

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)

Post Officers Reports:

1st Vice/2nd Vice/ADJ/FO/SO/Chap-Sick Call/HG/ALR/

OLD Business

Next meeting :   9 DEC  Annual Christmas Banquet. Rutland Center,   

Meeting adjourned at 1820.  

Wilson Warriors

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!

2025 Christmas Banquet , December 9th

Ladies & Gentlemen!

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.

Wreaths Across America

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 regular post meeting, 11 Nov 2025

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. 

Post Officers Reports:

1st Vice/2nd Vice/ADJ/FO/SO/Chap-Sick Call/HG/ALR/

OLD Business

Next meeting :   9 DEC  Annual Christmas Banquet. Rutland Center,   

Veterans Day Ceremony Invitation

Maristone of Providence would like to invite Post 281 to join and participate in our Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11th at 2:00 PM.

We would be honored to have your presence as we celebrate and recognize our resident veterans.

We’re located at 140 Providence Trail, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

P.S. I apologize for the short notice. This one almost fell through the cracks. JM

Post Meeting Minutes (14 October 2025)

COMPILED/SUBMITTED BY:  ADJ Bruno Padovani 

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – 14 October 2025

Reviewed/Approved By: CMDR Ward, POST 281, DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE      

CONVENED:  1815hrs.    ADJOURNED:  1931hrs.   

MEMBERS PRESENT: 24   VISITORS: 7      POST OFFICERS: 3     TOTAL: 34

ASSEMBED

At 1800 hrs., doors of the Charlie Daniels Mount Juliet’s Parks and Recreation Headquarters, Room B were opened for fellowship. Barbecue was provided by Mission Barbecue.

GUESTS AND SPEAKERS

  • Randall Hutto (Wilson County Mayor) updated the post on what’s going on in Wilson county.
  • Zabrina Shay (Wilson County Veterans Support Services). Zabrina announced that the county’s Veteran’s Ball to support the “No Vet Left Behind” program will be held on 1 November. All veterans are welcome to sign up.
  • Major (R) Adriano and 1SG (R) Castillo , new GHHS JROTC introduced themselves and updated the post on the school’s JROTC program
  • Melissa Sandon (Director of Activities, Mount Juliet Sr. Activity Center) notified the post about the Senior Center’s annual Spaghetti Dinner and urged post members to attend.

OPENING CEREMONY

At 1815 2nd Vice Commander Brandon Adderholt called the Post to order and Chaplain “Chaz” Spampinato offered prayer, followed by placement of the POW/MIA Flag at the designated memorial table by Don Barnes (who filled in for Sergeant At Arms Mike Adams).  This was followed by The Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion.

PAST COMMANDERS & DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

Max Wix (Past Commander)

Lew Hightower (Past Commander)

Randall Hutto (Wilson County Mayor)

NEW MEMBERS WERE WELCOMED

None

READING OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Motion proposed by 2nd Vice Adderholt, seconded and passed to approve meetings from September post meeting.

OFFICERS REPORT

  • COMMANDER – Terry Ward (Not present, on vacation).
  • 1ST VICE – Jeff Mattingly (Not present, on vacation)
  • 2ND VICE – Brian Adderholt
  • Post picnic on 25 October
  • Post Christman banquet on 9 December. Admission will be $25-30 per person
  • ADJUTANT – Bruno Padovani.
  • FINANCE OFFICER – Steve Iles
  • We still have challenge coins available for purchase, at $7 apiece
  • The post received $480 from the VVA for helping out in the food truck during the Wison County Fair
  • Members are urged to sign up for the Kroger Community Rewards Program, naming Post 281 as the recipient.
  • SERVICE OFFICER – Patti Whitmore.
  • Volunteers needed to assist with the Auxiliary’s 18 April Tree Sale fundraiser.
  • CHAPLAIN – David Hale (Not present, recovering from surgery). Nothing to report.
  • SERGEANT-AT-ARMS – Mike Adams (Not present, recovering from surgery).

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Honor Guard – Capt. Steve Wren
    • Captain Wren reported that the post Honor Guard completed its 524th service since its inception.
  • Sons of the American Legion – Squadron Commander Dan Rhame
    • None
  • American Legion Riders – Director Bob Ramsey
    • Ride scheduled to the Veterans Museum to support Zabrina Shay’s programs.
  • Oratorical – Bruno Padovani
  • 5th District Oratorical competition to be held on Saturday 14 March at St. Stephens RC Church in Old Hickory.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • None

NEW BUSINESS

  • None

FOR THE GOOD OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

  • John Herko announced that Joe Rodynski, a WW2 vet will receive the next Quilt of Honor from our post.
  • John Herko announced that “Buddy Checks” will begin in November
  • Veterans Day activities:
  • Post Honor Guard will be active, either at Mission Barbecue where David Hale will sing the National Anthem, or at Del Webb.
  • The Del Webb Veterans group will celebrate the day

MEETING ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to attend to, the closing ceremony was conducted, with closing prayer offered by “Chaz” Spampinato.  The POW/MIA Flag was retrieved for storage.  This was followed by honors to our flag and the meeting was adjourned at 1931 hrs. 

11 NOV , Veterans Day, a day full of activities.

Wilson County Veterans Day Parade starts at 10:15  AM

Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Veterans Plaza, Lebanon, starting 11:00 AM.

Post 281 Honor Guard conducts a rifle volley during the ceremony

12:00 NOON, 281 member David Hale sings National Anthem at Mission BBQ, Opry Mills. 

 Free sandwiches for Vets.

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:   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 Officers Reports:

1st Vice/2nd Vice/ADJ/FO/SO/Chap-Sick Call/HG/ALR/

OLD Business

Next meeting :   9 DEC  Annual Christmas Banquet. Rutland Center,