Columbia Post Office Could Soon Honor Iwo Jima Hero John Harlan Willis

Issue #709

April 17, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛈️ Columbia’s Saturday Weather - Cloudy, thunderstorms later in day w/ high of 75, low of 41

📰 Columbia Post Office Could Soon Honor Iwo Jima Hero John Harlan Willis

📰 Nashville’s Next Landmark? New TPAC Campus Renderings Released

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia Post Office Could Soon Honor Iwo Jima Hero John Harlan Willis

Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles has cleared the U.S. House of Representatives to rename the Columbia Post Office in honor of Medal of Honor recipient John Harlan Willis.

If approved by the U.S. Senate, the postal facility at 417 W. 7th St. will officially become the John Harlan Willis Post Office Building, permanently recognizing the Middle Tennessee native’s service and sacrifice.

Willis served as a U.S. Navy Pharmacist’s Mate assigned to a Marine infantry unit during World War II. He landed on Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945, with the 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, serving as a platoon corpsman during one of the war’s most intense battles.

On Feb. 28, while assisting wounded Marines near the heavily fortified Hill 362, Willis was injured by shrapnel and directed to withdraw for medical treatment. Instead, he returned to the front lines to continue caring for fellow service members. While tending to a wounded Marine, enemy forces launched a grenade attack. Willis managed to throw back eight grenades before a ninth detonated in his hand, killing him. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery.

Earlier this year, Columbia marked the 80th anniversary of Willis’ death with a wreath-laying ceremony at the John Harlan Willis Bridge Memorial along U.S. Highway 31. Local leaders described him as a lasting example of courage and selflessness and expressed pride in honoring one of Maury County’s own.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Nashville’s Next Landmark? New TPAC Campus Renderings Released

New renderings provide the most detailed glimpse so far at the proposed new home for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center along the Cumberland River.

The plans show a contemporary performing arts campus located across from Lower Broadway, positioning the development as a major focal point in Nashville’s continued expansion. The vision includes several venues, including a large opera house and a theater designed to host Broadway-style productions, significantly increasing the city’s ability to accommodate major performances.

The project carries substantial state support, with Tennessee committing $500 million. However, TPAC must secure an additional $100 million in private fundraising before those state dollars can be accessed.

Beyond fundraising, TPAC would also cover up to $24.6 million in related infrastructure costs, including necessary road and utility improvements tied to the development.

Project leaders estimate the new campus could generate close to $1 billion in economic impact and create thousands of construction jobs. If funding and other required benchmarks are met by the end of this year, construction could begin as soon as next year, with a projected five-year buildout.

The proposed campus represents another significant step in the long-term redevelopment of Nashville’s East Bank, an area expected to see substantial growth in the years ahead.

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Upcoming Local Events

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Saturday, April 18th

Sunday, April 19th

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Tuesday, April 21st

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🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, April 17 

Lydia Rae - Buck & Board, 6–8 PM 
Open Mic - Grinder's Switch, 6–9 PM 
Tom & Robert - McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Hannah Geiser - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM 
Troy Kemp - Puckett's, 7:30–9 PM 
Six Stringer Revolver - The Boondox, 8:00 PM
Covered Wagon - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, April 18 

The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 12–6 PM
Michael Edser & The Grayson Band - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 3 PM 
Carson Phillips - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM 
Music on the Porch Series - 106 Pleasant St, Mt Pleasant, 6–9 PM 
Shannon & The Harpeth River Boys - McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM 
Writers Round curated by Michael Farren - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM 
Walker County - Puckett's, 7:30–9 PM 
Boomerang - The Boondox, 8 PM 
Benji & The Jets - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM 
Bad Dog - Gary's Place, 8 PM–12 AM

Sunday, April 19 

The Sins - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM
Todd Ciprian - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2–5 PM

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