From The Department of Tennessee
Senior Vice-Commander
August through October has been a very busy time. In August we held the Big Machine Indy Car Grand Prix. We were there for 3 days talking with Veterans and their family members. We attended the actual race which was very exciting. Our Be the One car was in the top 3. Thank you to everyone who participated. Looking forward to next year. At the end of the month, I attended the National Legacy Run celebration at the Bristol Motor Speedway and at Post 145 for dinner and the next day in Mountain City for the Reef laying ceremony at the Veterans Memorial. Then on to Charlote for the National Convention. I found the Convention to be very informative and it was good to see some old friends and to meet some new ones, looking forward to New Orleans.
In September we hosted the new National Commander in East Tennessee. We was his first state to visit, and I believe we set the tone for his visits to the rest of the Departments. I would like to thank all the Posts that participated and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd District Commanders for their assistance and East Tennessee Division Vice-Commander and NEC Bob Hensley for their hard work setting this up and making it a complete success. Department Commander and I attended the 100th Birthday Party for Edward Bell, WW II Veteran and a member of Post 288 in Smyrna. Mr. Bell is a fine patriot and friend. We also attended the Grand Opening of the Dark Horse Lodge in Springville Tennessee which is a fantastic PTSD retreat center for combat veterans. I was asked to speak at the Rolling Thunder meeting in Murfreesboro where I talked about the history of and programs in the American Legion. Four people took applications. I participated in the Middle Tennessee Honor Flight Escort. We had about 19 bikes and escorted the bus from Tullahoma to the Rutherford County line. This is about my sixth time participating, and I look forward to it twice a year.
In October I participated in the Manchester Old Timers Parade, helped man the booth for the American Legion Riders Chapter Gold Star Post 78. We had 10 veterans, and 2 women leave their names and phone numbers who were interested in the American Legion. I called all twelve. 3 said they would come to our November meeting, and I left messages for the others to call me back. Maybe we can get some new members. I attended the VA Carnival at Alvin C York VA Hospital in Murfreesboro. There was 5 or 6 bikes from Post 78. Ed Bray brought his racing car, and 3 or 4 other Post was there. I’m taking a much-needed R&R for four days and visiting the great smoky mountains. I haven’t taken a vacation for I don’t know how long and am long overdue. I plan on relaxing and unplugging for four days.
I’m looking forward to our upcoming District meetings in November and December. Commander Culver has stated again this year he plans on using the round-table format and the dress for the head table will be Polos with Legion Caps. I hope we have a good turn-out as these are very informative.
Respectfully submitted,
John A Davis
Department of Tennessee
Senior Vice-Commander
EAST TENESSEE DIVISION
First off, thank you to everyone who’s out there being the one. I’ve heard of a few instances since the Commander’s tour where a Legionnaire was truly the one. #BeTheOne
Before the National Convention, which was held in Charlotte, NC, the 1st District played host to the National Legacy Run. Legion Riders from all over the entire American Legion, to include a Legion Rider from an overseas Post rode through Bristol where Post 145 played the role of host. They also traversed “the snake” which winds through parts of Sullivan and Johnson County (Tennessee’s eastern most county), ending up in Mountain City, where Post 61 held a wreath laying ceremony. This event was made better as the 1st District and the East Division played host to the (then) National Commander James Triola. I want to give a special thank you to Bud Davis and Post 145, and National Executive Committeeman Robert “Bob” Hensley and Post 61 for their roles.
Following the National Convention, the East Division was honored to play host to our National Commander Daniel Seehafer on his first Department tour. His first act after being sworn in was to attend the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony in the East Room of the White House for Mr. Larry L. Taylor. Mr. Taylor is a Chattanooga Post 14 Legionnaire. (https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/larry-l-taylor), and I thank him for his heroism, and his service to our nation.
I fully believe the Legion Family in the East Division as well as the Department helped set the tone for National Commander Seehafer’s year in office, and I thank everyone. I want to give a special thank you to Dennis Smith, Dwight Woodcock, all the Riders who provided an escort, all Auxiliary and Sons members who provided great meals, the Posts who played host (81, 95, 257, 24, 21, 104, 232, 112, and 13). Also, thank you to 1st District Commander James McLaughlin, 2nd District Commander Mike Testerman, and 3rd District Commander David Sherrill.
“For the Good of the Legion!”
Todd A. McKinley
East TN Vice Commander
American Legion
Department of Tennessee
Home Post: Hammond Post 3
Kingsport, TN
1st District - “Being The One”
Twenty-one American Legion members, from across north east TN turned out to assist a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran, who was evicted from a rental property due to the rent being raised beyond his means. Legionnaires from Morristown, Elizabethton, Sneedville, Green-ville, Bristol, Erwin, Newport, Johnson City, Kingsport and Sevierville turned out to assist this Veteran in need. Michael Metzner, Adju-tant, King's Mountain Post 24, Johnson City, organized the effort after receiving a call for help. 1st District Commander James McLaughlin sent out the call to regional posts whose members turned out. They rented and loaded two trucks with house hold property, drove those trucks to the new residence and then unloaded as well. All in service to a Veteran in need. "Be The One" "For God & Country".
Post 61 Cmdr Frank Bass and 1st VC Bob Hensley visited Post 61 member VC Carter Isaacs at Ivy Hall Nursing Home in Elizabethton, Tn on 18 Oct 2023. Carter was presented a certificate for 50 continuous years membership in The American Legion, an Air Force figurine, a certificate of appreciation for his military service and a quilt of honor. Carter is 93 years young. Carter’s wife, son and daughter were there to share in the presentation.