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VOLUME XXXVIII, NO. 1 August 1, 2024
Congratulations to our New Department Commander John Davis!!!
From The Department of Tennessee Commander
I want to begin by thanking everyone who voted for me and has continued to support me throughout the past years. It has indeed been a pleasure to serve. I’m looking forward to my new chapter in the American Legion.
We have completed the Division Officer Orientations and are confident that our District and Division Officers are ready for their duties and are looking forward to assisting their Posts.
We have conducted the East Tennessee Division Commanders Tour and were very pleased with the turnout of both posts and members. A lot of good information was put out and there was a lot of interaction for the good of the legion portion. Some were not pleased with the Department's stand on some issues; however, it was explained that the way things are changed within the legion is by filing resolutions.
We will be conducting a Commander’s tour in West Tennessee this week and am looking forward to meeting and greeting old friends and meeting new ones. The following week I’ll be in Indianapolis attending the National Membership Workshop. Where I’ll be meeting with the Leading Candidate James A. LaCoursiere, Jr, and will receive our membership goals for the upcoming year. I am hoping to keep them close to where they were last year, but the bottom line is that we will work with his decision.
The following week we will be attending the Middle Tennessee Division Commanders Tour and am looking forward to meeting all four districts.
Now I’m learning that being the Department Commander is different than anything in the past. It is a whole different ball game, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. My biggest concerns are improving our membership numbers, improving our separation/division within the Department, getting everyone to work together for the good of the legion, and using the chain of command when communicating both up and down the chain. Again, thank you and God Bless!
“UNITED WE STAND/DIVIDED WE FALL”
John A Davis
Department of Tennessee Commander
From The Department of Tennessee
Senior Vice Commander
I want to begin by thanking every Post and individual who showed up at the Department Convention in June. Whether you voted for me, or Ron isn’t the point, the point is you showed up to have your voice heard, which is lacking in our society at large.
The next thing I want to touch on is my role as Department Senior Vice Commander (DSVC). As the DSVC, in addition to serving as Chairman of the Trophy and Awards Committee, I’m here to assist the Department Commander in his duties when he needs me to fill in and represent him when he can’t be somewhere in person. It’s also my duty to give the Department Commander advice or fill him in on issues and scuttlebutt going on throughout the Department. I should say, the advice I give him will be for his eyes and ears only, as I don’t want to promote hearsay or rumors. After all, “I heard,” and “they said,” are two of the biggest liars that can ruin an organization, which is why I believe I shouldn’t make any disagreements the Commander and I may have from time to time public.
The next part of my role is to assist and advise the Division Vice Commanders in lending assistance and guidance, as well as the District Commanders when needed, but I’ll not step on the toes of the Division Commanders when doing this. In other words, the District Commanders should approach their respective Division Vice Commander first, but if they do utilize my open door policy, I’ll assist them, but will ask if they first reached out to their Division Vice Commander.
Speaking of an open door policy, I encourage everyone from the individual Legionnaire to the Post level to utilize the chain of command, I want you to know that you can approach me directly. I believe in maintaining an open door policy that means anyone can bring anything to me directly and I’ll ensure that everything we discuss is kept confidential. However, in any business, bureaucracy or organization, sometimes the wheels turn slow, so don’t get discouraged if an issue that’s brought to light isn’t solved overnight. Again, thank you and God bless!
“For the Good of the Legion!”
Todd A. McKinley
Senior Vice Commander
American Legion Department of Tennessee
& 1st Vice Commander Hammond Post 3
Kingsport, TN
Toddmac78@yahoo.com
DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
John Davis, 931-808-4549, johndavis4@benlomand.net
DEPARTMENT SENIOR VICE COMMANDER
Todd McKinley, 202-256-0219, toddmac78@yahoo.com
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Robert Hensley,423-335-2969, robhen47@gmail.com
ALTERNATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Nancy Harper, 901-493-2580, nlb5080ivory@gmail.com
DEPARTMENT VICE COMMANDERS
East: James McLaughlin, 865-450-0485, adjutant@tnpost104.org
Middle: Hansel Moore, 440-361-0346, jmlegiontn@gmail.com
West: Tonya Launsby, 731-636-9600, tonyalaunsby@gmail.com
DISTRICT COMMANDERS
First: Eric "Scott" Foulks, 423-523-5584, ericfoulks@yahoo.com
Second: Michael Testerman,865-742-6170, michael.testerman1@gmail.com
Third: Dwight Woodcock, 423-223-7966, dwoodcock2399@gmail.com
Fourth: Royce Fowler, 615-281-0004, roycefowler982@gmail.com
Fifth: Eric Rasmussen,910-723-9870, tn5thdistrict@gmail.com
Sixth: Glen Baggett, 615-319-5692, baggett.glen@gmail.com
Seventh: Vince Cuevas, 931-212-0257, vcuevas.alpost39@gmail.com
Eighth: Hubert Culver, 731-439-0186, hubertculver@yahoo.com
Ninth: Jean Launsby, 731-487-2825, launsby55@gmail.com
Tenth: Paul Hethmon, 901-850-0140, pbcrew8043@bellsouth.net
DEPARTMENT ADJUTANT
Dean A. Tuttle, 318 Donelson Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 (615-391-5088) Adjutant@TNLegion.org
east tennessee updates
East Division started the 2025 Membership Year with a full head of steam. Not just Legionnaires attended the Commanders Tours in the three Districts, but the Auxiliary and the SAL as well. We as a Division are pushing Legion Family as hard as we can, and this will bring us a more unified Division. I am pleased to let the Department know that as a Division, the Sons of the American Legion are planning their first-ever East Division Conference. This will be an event that will cover Squadron accomplishments and also cover SAL programs to educate Squadron members on what is available to them to help their communities. We encourage any Squadron member in the East to attend. Information will also be available to any Legion Officers who attend, that may be interested in chartering an SAL. The meeting will be held in Maryville, Post 13, tentative date is October 12th.
Another event that I am excited about will also be taking place at Maryville, Post 13. On September 7th the Division is invited to a Battle for the East Division, rifle competition. Open to Legion, SAL, and Auxiliary we will utilize the beautiful outdoor gun range at Post 13, for a game of Battleship. Just like the Milton Bradley game, the object will be to sink battleships with .22LR. The best team will carry a trophy back to their Post for bragging rights. The three District Commanders are sending out applications, and I encourage every Post in the East to come on out for an afternoon of fun, Camaraderie, and networking with Posts from within our Division. I hope that everyone will come together just to have a great day, with their Legion Family.
james mclaughlin
East tennessee
vice commander
Chaplain's Corner
Due to the recent events, I am sure they are on everyone's mind. The recent attempt on President Trump's life, I wish to address this situation if you may indulge me a moment. As Americans, I firmly believe we are better than this. All of us can disagree on different things, and do so with respect. It is ok to vote for whom each of us chooses. That is one of the reasons many of us wear our country's military uniforms. So that each of us had the right to Freedom to happiness, the right to worship as we please, vote our conscience without fear or intimidation, etc. After our Commander's tour meeting in Cleveland, TN on July 13th,2024, and after returning home the horrific news came across the news media. It caused me to reflect on a little thing I learned as a child. Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your Actions, for they become habits. Watch your Habits, for they become Character. And watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny. So I ask that each one of us take time to examine ourselves. Let us work to be the brothers and sisters we were in our military service. Let all of us veterans across this wonderful state of Tennessee work TOGETHER to make our American Legion a shining example to this nation. Thank You and I look forward to serving each of you and am honored and humbled that our commander appointed me.I look forward to SERVING every one of you. In Your Service.
ROMANS 15:2 - Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Jerry T. Brownstead
Post # 163 Crossville, Tn.
Department of tennessee
Chaplain
trophies and awards
Firefighter of the year: Edwin macon (post 44; Winchester, TN)
Law enforcement officer of the year: Stephanie reaber (post 17; Gallatin, TN)
Emergency Medical Technician of the year: Bruce blodgett (post 256; Tellico Lake, TN)
Employer of the year (large): Teamhealth (post 163; Crossville, TN)
Employer of the year (small): Midway Pizza llc (post 72; Dover, TN)
Eagle Scout of the year: taylor bell (Rockvale High School; Rockvale, TN)
Dept. oratorical champion of the year: abigail whicker (Mount Juliet Christian Academy; Mount Juliet, TN)
dept. Jr. shooting sport champion (precision): Victoria Meriwether (Harpeth Hall High School; nashville, TN)
Dept. Jr. shooting sport champion (Sporter): Brooklyn Zeigler (Daniel Boone High School;gray, tn)
Frederick bowling jrotc cadet of the year: aditi bindra (page high school; Franklin, TN)
legionnaire of the year: Harold Lough (Post 207; spencer,tn)
Division commander of the year: Joel pipkin (243; Scotts Hill TN)
district commander of the year: Tonya Launsby (Post 55; martin, TN)
American Legion Women Veteran Darkhorse Lodge Retreat
July 10 – July 13, 2024
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Female veterans in the American Legion Department of Tennessee got together for a retreat at the Darkhorse Lodge in Springville, TN from July 10 through July 13 of this year. The lodge is operated by Gretchen and Kirk Catherwood, as well as other volunteers who help them run it. The Catherwoods built the lodge in honor of their son, Alec, who lost his life in Afghanistan as a member of the Marine Corps 3/5 Darkhorse unit. The Catherwoods have spent over ten years planning, building, and equipping the lodge to accommodate 25 veterans, which was the number of soldiers that Alec had in his unit. Each room is named after a fallen soldier. The staff was very accommodating and went out of their way to ensure that every veteran had a great time and that we had everything we needed.
The retreat was meant to focus on camaraderie among women veterans in the American Legion across the state, as well as, fill the time by gaining some knowledge about activities and skills that some women possessed and wanted to pass along. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to have any workshops as the lodge had lots of activities to do and everyone found something to be engaged in.
Activities for veterans included fishing, horseshoes, axe throwing, board games, card games, movies to watch, books to read, and even a bonfire area. We went out fishing both days we were there. Some women fished and some just relaxed on the lake. The staff was well equipped with whatever we needed from items that were donated by local vendors and organizations. The Catherwoods plan to expand the property to include walking trails and other activities.
The Darkhorse Lodge was a great experience for all the women veterans that attended and we hope to plan another one soon as several women veterans expressed interest in going in the fall. Every veteran that attended had a great time socializing and just hanging out. The Darkhorse Lodge is an excellent retreat for combat veterans with its serene atmosphere and patriotic presence.
Carla bell
Department of Tennessee
Women Veterans chairman
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American Legion Riders is a program of the American Legion that was started over 30 years ago in Garden City, Michigan. The program was started by a group of Legionnaires who rode motorcycles, and who wanted to take the mission of the American Legion itself further. With their shared love for motorcycles and the open road (ice cream!) they, along with their Legion brothers and sisters, petitioned to get this program up and running. Thirty years later - this program is now World Wide.
Why do we ride? Riders across the nation act as a mobile unit for their Post. Riders have their annual TN Legacy Ride, which contributes funds to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, and up to last year has been so successful that it has now been reassigned to benefit the American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation. Each State hosts their own rides and culminates with the National Legacy Run that ends at the National Convention every year where the final donations are presented.
All Riders are first and foremost Legionnaires to their Post - and will participate in and work alongside their brothers and sisters at the Post. The added benefit of the riders program is that in addition to helping at the Post level, riders are actively engaged in their local community and help raise money to help their local communities.
Riders are actively supporting the 4 Pillars of Service that the legion was built on.
Our Veterans - riders bring a stronger sense of camaraderie and a family bond that many miss upon being discharged from service which creates a built in support structure for our veterans
Our Youth - riders encourage the younger generations and teach them the respect and history of our traditions and patriotism. Riders also help the youth by having charity runs for any families in our local communities that are struggling.
A Strong National Defense - Riders support this pillar by honoring POW/MIAs and providing funeral escorts and services as requested by the fallen’s family. We honor and respect this greatest of sacrifices - and pass to the next generations the lessons of not forgetting those who went before us.
Americanism - By supporting the Legacy Run, but also through local charity runs to raise funds supporting a myriad of benefits throughout the year for their local communities. Sponsoring youth athletic programs
The Riders program is a great recruitment tool which helps with the posts continued growth. Its is attractive to the younger generations coming back, with the desire to be out in the open, doing good work and continuing to serve, shows what the Legion has to offer for the families.
Riders are very creative in fundraising and can be a self-sustaining program to aid the community in many ways. Each Chapter and locality have their own set of benefits annually, and those can change to meet the community's needs as they arise.
Riders do function as a unit and have their own Constitution and Bylaws - both Nationally and State levels, they have a set chain of command within the local chapter and have set meetings.
Who we are not: What we are not is a motorcycle club, or a bunch of bikers sitting at the bar drinking. Quite contrary - many of the rides are scheduled to not be conducive to that type of environment and are based around restaurants, historical sites and sharing fellowship with other Riders Chapters. Typically, the rides are to raise money for local charities, Wreaths Across America Events, of families in need for unexpected medical treatments.
Drinking and Riding is not condoned or favored on any sanctioned American Legion Ride or while wearing a Legion Rider vest. This would be disrespectful to our core values and could be considered conduct unbecoming. We police our own in that regard and help each other monitor situations to keep everything in control. Riders are always in the public eye and must always maintain a proper level of decorum, to be respectful.
What does it take to become a Legion Rider? You need to be either a Legionnaire, or if your post has a Sons of the Legion, or American Legion Auxiliary, a member of one of those Legon Family programs and in good standing. You need to be a motorcycle owner, licensed and insured. What does a Post need to have a Riders Chapter? It’s easy to start a Riders Chapter. You need 5 members to start, 3 of which need to be Legionnaires, the other 2 can be Sons or Auxiliary or any combination of the American Legion Family. There is a Charter application to complete with the Sponsoring Post approval and favorable vote to start from a Post meeting.
RIDERS LEAD THE WAY
Always at your service,
Debbie “Daisey” Lipsie
Tennessee American Legion Riders Director
TN.ALR.Director@gmail.com
what's Happening
