Meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30PM at the Tri-Star Veteran’s Resource Center
439 Rice St. Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Joseph Castorino, Post Commander
Post 141 Commander is Joseph Castorino. You may recognize him as the Post Historian as well. Joseph is doing an amazing job with his continual posts listed under “This Day in Military History”. Best of wishes on taking on the additional task of leadership in our Post.
Post Commander’s Message
October is National Fire Prevention Month. That means it’s time for us all to take the precautionary steps to prevent dangerous and life-threatening fires.
As per the National Fire Prevention Association, the winter months witness a surge in home fires, deaths, and injuries. These are the months we rely on heating to keep our homes warm. While we need to stay warm, it’s crucial to remember that prevention is key. Let’s be cautious and prepared to prevent any fire incidents.
Remember to Be The One. Don’t forget the Suicide Crisis Line phone number is:
988 opt 1 for Veterans
Click here to contact:
UPDATE on the WEBSITE
Fellow Legionnaires of Tennessee Post 141,
I thought I would share with you the limited success we have had with our website. I realize that it is minimal amount of success but it’s still progress and no matter how little support it has provided to the Veteran community, I feel it is definitely something that we can be proud to provide.
In the relatively short time the website has been active, we have received several requests from within and outside or Veteran community. We have received at least two requests for the proper disposal of American flags. We have had family members of veterans looking for ways to support other veterans with donations of equipment, a quality hospital bed and a chair lift system for a home stairway. One family member was asking for help with steps down from a porch. We had one family member who was requesting honors being paid to Father, who had passed, at his funeral with veteran motorcycle riders. We have had several veterans or family members requesting information on some benefits. We have had veterans reach out asking about joining the American Legion or changing their post affiliation.
I have personally responded to each and every one of these messages and even if I didn’t know the answers, I let those people know that they were being listened to and that I would refer their concerns, questions and comments to the appropriate members here. I am proud to say that each time I referred them to someone with the possible answers, they seem to always come through. Without the support of fellow members of our Post 141, these accomplishments would never have happened, I would like to express my personal thanks to everyone in the post, especially those that i reach out for assistance, Bob Masek, Steve Lannom, Joseph Castorino, Jeremy McLean and John Kitchen, I apologize if i left anyone specific off my list.
We have a wonderful group of individuals within Post 141 who are dedicated to assisting other veterans in need and the community in general. I am proud to be a member of the American Legion, especially of Post 141 of the Tennessee Division.
Russ Mauzy, Website Administrator
www.tnlegion141.org
Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion
For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the folowing purposes:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars; to inculcate a sense of nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
NEXT MEETING
June 19, 2025 @ 1830
American Legion Post 141 seeks to positively impact the community of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee. Although the organization is committed to supporting veterans and promoting patriotism and community engagement, we also work towards bettering our community while bringing attention to our Veterans through different outreach programs.
The initiatives undertaken by the Post, such as volunteering at the Alvin C. York Veteran’s Administration Hospital and supporting veterans’ mobility issues demonstrate a sincere dedication to improving the lives of veterans. These efforts not only bring joy to the veterans but also foster a sense of community and camaraderie.
Sponsoring young men to attend the American Legion Boys State is a valuable contribution to the education of high school students, allowing them to experience and understand the working of local, community, and State government. This initiative helps shape future leaders and responsible citizens.
Distributing American flags on Memorial Day and participating in a solemn ceremony on Veteran’s Day shows a commitment to honoring and remembering the sacrifices of veterans. These activities contribute to fostering a sense of patriotism and unity within the community.
Recognizing and encouraging the achievements of Junior ROTC participants, as well as acknowledging Eagle Scouts in Rutherford County, underscores the Post’s dedication to leadership development. These initiatives not only motivate young individuals but also contribute to the cultivation of strong and capable future leaders.
The positive outcomes, such as the smiles on veterans’ faces, the pride of a young soldier, or a citizen appreciating the American flag, illustrates the tangible impact of Post 141’s work. We play a significant role in enhancing the well-being and sense of community in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, Tennessee.
FUND RAISING PROJECT
As many of you know, I have several hobbies I do to keep myself busy. I have decided to take one of my projects and see if I can make a little extra money for the post. I will be selling this beautiful engraved piece of wood to members of this post and donate a part of the proceeds back directly to the post. These wood slices average around 10″ in diameter and 1/2″ thick. They take me over 1 hour to enagrave and I sell them for $20 each, of which I will donate $5 for each engraving sold through this website. Just drop me a note and let me know you want one and I will have them at the next Post meeting. This promotion will go until Veteran’s Day 2025.
RETURNING HISTORY
During the January Post meeting, it was brought to the attention of the Post that Joey B. King of China Post 1 of the American Legion and AMVETS Rutherford County Post 325 had noticed the above signage located in a local restaurant in Smyrna. He and T.K.Kast of Tennessee Post 141 of the American Legion have been doing research on the history of the signage, along with Frank Acquavia. It is now their desire to attempt to get the signage back where it belongs, the hometown of Frank Acqavia, Dunkirk, New York.
I am going to copy information that King and Kast presented to our members that it appears they received from a Find a Grave website.
Frank J. Acquavia
BIRTH: 28 May 1917, Dunkirk, Chautauqua County, New York, USA
DEATH: 10 May 1944 (Aged 24) Philippines
MONUMENT: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines
PLOT: Tablets of the Missing – United States Army – Missing in Action
MEMORIAL ID: 56750861
Excerpt of the article:
A piece of history tied to a fallen World War II Dunkirk native has been found by a museum in Maryland. The dog tag of U.S.Army Pvt. Frank Acquavia was one of about 10 found on Corregidor Island in the Philippines by a counselor who works for a Christian organization in the Philippines.
According to Butch Maisel, founder and curator of The Center for Military History, that is part of the Boys Latin School in Maryland in Baltimore, the tags were then given to a Christian missionary from the United Stated, who then gave them to Maisel for his museum. Maisel reached out to the OBSERVER knowing that these items need to go to the families.
Acquavia, whose body was never recovered, died May 10, 1942, as a prisoner of Japan. He had been serving with the 59th Coast Artillery Regiment, according to the book “No One Forgets”, which was written by George Burns III and Richard Titus. Acquavia lived at 53 E. Second St., and was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Rocco Acquavia.
He was captured in Corregidor during the opening days of the war in the Pacific, “The Japenese herded some Americans down to a seaplane landing area, ” the book noted. “Frank went to retrieve or find food that was hidden at their battery. A Japanese guard spotted him and opened fire with a machine gun killing him instantly. This was witnessed by Jim Rossoto of Fredonia.”
Former American Legion Post 1344 in Dunkirk on Lake Shore Drive West was named after him.
End of Excerpt
Legion Members King and Kost found further information that there had been two American Legion Posts in Dunkirk, New York, with the other one being in existence longer that Post 1344 (Most likely the reason Post 1344 disbanded and the other post exists today. It is their opinion that some effort be made to have the signage acquired and returned to the existing post in Acquavia’s home town, where it properly belongs. A vote was taken and approved for King and Kost to pursue this further, representing Post 141, a very Nobel endeavor, in my opinion.
PLEASE USE THIS FORM FOR CONTACTING ADMINISTRATOR
OUR FUTURE
This area is going to be reserved to highlight and recognize those who have decided to take the step to enlisting in one of our military branches. The majority that I will list here will probably be from Rutherford County schools, since that is the primary area we serve, however, I will post any relative from any of our post members if you send me the information I need including a small picture. Looking for the name, age, branch of service entering, school attended and if they are related to a Post member.
Welcome future Veterans to a lifelong Brotherhood. We support you and are proud that you have taken the steps necessary to protect this Great Nation, The United States of America. Our prayers go with you in all your journeys.
Chaplain’s Corner
Thank you, dear Lord; for watching over us as the world goes through a transformation. To transform the world, we must begin by first transforming ourselves.
Now is the time for us each to actively pursue that transformation…
Food for Thought
Today’s Message: “Nothing can prevail against a Son of God who commends his spirit into the hands of the Father”.
ALIVENING, LLC OVERVIEW
The Careapy® Learning Channel is the legacy of Glenn and Barbara Smyly and is the home of their previously recorded full length live and varied audio and video programs, workshops and seminars written, developed and conducted by the Smylys. As a result of their combined strengths, personalities, love and talents, tens of thousands of people have benefitted from their seminars, workshops, consultations rebirthings and books.
Due to an increase in outside organizations/businesses wishing to promote resources for Veteran’s, I have moved these links to their own page. Just CLICK THIS LINK and you will be directed directly to the resource page. Further information will be found there for information on how to submit additional links.
My name is Joseph Castorino, and I am the Historian of Rutherford County Post 141. I will be compiling a record of Post events and happenings for the year. I am in the process of researching Post historical data so we can all learn about the history of our Post. If anyone has any information about the history of the Post or past events, please feel free to email me at historian@tnlegion141.org.
Dec 31, 1862
– The Battle of Stones River (Murfeesboro) begins in central Tennessee begins. The armies struggled in the bitter cold for three days before the Union army, commanded by General William Rosecrans, defeated the Confederates under Braxton Bragg. The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro (in the South, simply the Battle of Murfreesboro), was fought until January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Of the major battles of the Civil War, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides. Although the battle itself was inconclusive, the Union Army’s repulse of two Confederate attacks and the subsequent Confederate withdrawal were a much-needed boost to Union morale after the defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg, and it dashed Confederate aspirations for control of Middle Tennessee. Union Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans’s Army of the Cumberland marched from Nashville, Tennessee, on December 26, 1862, to challenge General Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee at Murfreesboro. Each army commander planned to attack his opponent’s right flank, but Bragg struck first. A massive assault by the corps of Maj. Gen. William J. Hardee, followed by that of Leonidas Polk, overran the wing commanded by Maj. Gen. Alexander M. McCook. A stout defense by the division of Brig. Gen. Philip Sheridan in the right center of the line prevented a total collapse and the Union assumed a tight defensive position backing up to the Nashville Turnpike. Repeated Confederate attacks were repulsed from this concentrated line, most notably in the cedar “Round Forest” salient against the brigade of Col. William B. Hazen. Bragg attempted to continue the assault with the corps of Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, but the troops were slow in arriving and their multiple piecemeal attacks failed. Fighting resumed on January 2, 1863, when Bragg ordered Breckinridge to assault the well-fortified Union position on a hill to the east of the Stones River. Faced with overwhelming artillery, the Confederates were repulsed with heavy losses. Aware that Rosecrans was receiving reinforcements, Bragg chose to withdraw his army on January 3 to Tullahoma, Tennessee.
These articles taken from website This Day in U.S.Military History and posted by Russ Mauzy in the absence of our Historian.
BE THE ONE
Our Legion Post consists of Veterans from different branches of the armed forces, of members of different backgrounds, races, beliefs, and we support many organizations and community services but none are as critical as the Legion’s BE THE ONE program. We served wearing different uniforms but now we MUST serve each other and leave no one behind. Click on the card to get more information on this outstanding program.
Since I am still new to the Post, many of you do not know me, I’m Russ Mauzy, your website administrator, and an Army Veteran. I currently drive a truck for a full time living so I might not always be in the immediate area to meet, however, my phone is always on and it doesn’t matter the time of day or night, if you need someone to talk to, feel free to call me anytime. (615)295-3257
VETERAN’S CRISIS PHONE NUMBERS
1-800-273-8255 press 1
or
988 press 1
During our Sept 21. 2023 meeting we were addressed by Virginia Spini, a Suicide Prevention Case Manager with the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Department of Veteran’s Affairs. With her permission, below is a copy of her business card with contact information.
Copyright 2023-2025 by R.L.Mauzy
For comments or questions contact Admin@tnlegion141.org
This site hosted by IONBLADE
