Volume XXXVIX , NO. 4 
November 2024
Happy Veterans Day!! Thank you to all who have served!!
Department Commander's Corner
The last three months have been very busy. I have done a lot of traveling and met a lot of interesting legionnaires and their families. The first thing I was privileged to attend was Post 148’s 100th Anniversary in Chattanooga. My first time meeting with them was great and they have a lot of great history.
I attended the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th District Commanders Tour in Middle Tennessee. There was good participation, and some good information was exchanged.
I attended the National Convention in New Orleans. It was the first time I had been present for the entire convention. It was very interesting and informative. I met a lot of Legionnaires for the first time, and we exchanged a lot of good information.
I attended PDC Joe Duncan’s funeral and then escorted him to his family’s grave site north of Knoxville. He was a great Legionnaire and continued his community service throughout Knox County in several political positions. A true patriot.
The National Commander visited Tennessee for two days. We were able to visit two posts, to encloud attending a murder mystery theater at Post 82. We also visited the Indy car race at the Nashville Super Speedway. He was able to spend the day with Veterans from all over Tennessee.
I joined my Post ALR Chapter and other motorcyclists in the Middle Tennessee Honor Flight escort. It is always a pleasure to participate in this event.
I attended my 5th Tennessee Legion College. I learn something new from everyone. I want to thank PDC Steve Weismann for doing such an outstanding job in his presentation.
We have started our District meetings (true district meetings) in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Districts. I will be attending the other three Middle Division meetings next month. I believe they have gone well we changed the format and made them more friendly and less formal. We have addressed several items, and I was able to give out several awards, including presenting 2 ALR Charters.
I joined over 60 legionnaires and family members in the first Department of Tennessee family picnic. I felt that it was a success. I want to thank Middle Tennessee Division Vice Commander Hansel Moore and his members from Post 207 for their efforts. The food was great; however, the weather didn’t cooperate. I along with riders from Post 78 and Scott Folks and his wife road our bikes. I can’t speak to the others, but I got extremely waterlogged coming home. GOOD TIMES!!
As you know our friends in East Tennessee were hit by devastating floods and wind damage. Several lost their homes and everything in them. I want to thank the leadership in East Tennessee and their Posts who have stepped up and volunteer their time and energy to help those affected. They are all true heroes, and I can’t thank them enough for their efforts. Let’s continue to keep them in our prayers, for this is going to take a long time to recover.
I’m looking forward to the upcoming Mid-Winter Conference in January. I hope to see a lot of you there. Thank everyone for all that they do for the good of the legion.
“UNITED WE STAND/DIVIDED WE FALL”
John A Davis
Department of Tennessee Commander
DEPARTMENT ADJUTANT'S CORNER:
VETERANS ORGANIZATION
by Terry Berkovsky, Ted Lieber and Charles Barrett –
We previously published in The Tennessee Legionnaire a few years ago. The original article is nearly 20 pages, therefore we’re breaking the article into several pieces.
Introduction
Veterans’ organizations occupy a special place in the world of exempt organizations. Not only are veterans’ organizations exempt from tax, but contributions to a Veterans Organization may also be deductible, and they are permitted to set aside amounts that are used to pay insurance benefits to members. This combination of tax-exempt status, deductibility of contributions and the ability to pay benefits to members is relatively rare within a category of exempt organizations and is indicative of Congressional intent to provide the widest possible range of beneficial tax treatment for veterans’ organizations. When coupled with the ability to engage in both lobbying activities and even political activities, it is fair to say that in many ways veterans’ organizations are unequaled in the tax-exempt sector.
Nevertheless, there are many questions that arise in connection with the tax status of veterans’ organizations, and relatively little published precedent is available to call upon in answering such questions. During the past few years, representatives of veterans’ organizations have approached the Service and posed many questions, the answers to which are not readily apparent. Similarly, numerous issues have been identified by Key District Offices in the course of examinations of veterans’ organizations. These issues have been the subject of technical advice requests, and, in response to such requests, Headquarters Office has issued a number of Technical Advice Memoranda ("TAM"), some of which have been made available in redacted form under Internal Revenue Code 6110.
As of the time this article was being drafted, the following TAMs had been released to the public: TAM 97-47-003 (July 18, 1997), TAM 98-11-003 (November 7, 1997) and TAM 98-15-061 (January 14, 1998). Each of these TAMs presents somewhat similar fact patterns involving veterans’ organizations that engage in a variety of activities, and whose operations may not be consistent with certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Although private letter rulings and TAM’s may not be used or cited as precedent, the three TAMs offer some insight into the current thinking of the Service in connection with a broad spectrum of issues. Other TAMs are sure to follow.
An article published in the 1986 CPE text discussed the requirements for qualification for exemption of veterans’ organizations described in different sections of the Code. This year’s article builds upon the earlier one, while employing a question and answer ("Q & A") format addressing issues with respect to membership requirements, exempt activities, unrelated business taxable income, recordkeeping, the effect of a group ruling and deductibility of contributions
Background
Prior to the passage of the Act of August 29, 1972 (Public Law 92-418, 86 Stat. 656, reproduced in 1972-2 C.B. 675), war veterans’ organizations were grouped together with all other veterans’ organizations, and most were recognized as exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(4) as social welfare organizations. Their subsidiaries, which were formed to maintain and operate their social facilities, were often recognized as exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(7) as social clubs.
Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19) provides for the tax-exempt status of qualifying veterans’ organizations and their related auxiliaries that are organized in the United States or any of its possessions. Under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19), a veterans’ organization is permitted to conduct both social welfare activities, and social and recreational activities among its members without adversely affecting its tax-exempt status.
Membership Requirements:
An organization is described in Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19), if it satisfies the requisite membership requirements, is organized in the United States or any of its possessions, its activities further the purposes set forth in Reg. 1.501(c)(19)-1, and none of its net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
Membership requirements are set forth in Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19). The following questions are often asked about membership:
What are the membership requirements?
For an organization to qualify for recognition of exemption or maintain its
exemption as an organization described in Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19)?
An organization’s membership must be composed of at least 75 percent of past or present members of the Armed Forces of the United States (veterans) and substantially all of the other members must be:
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Cadets
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Spouses, widows, or widowers of past or present members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of cadets.
What does "substantially all" mean in Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19)?
In Senate Report No. 92-1082, 92nd Cong. 2d Sess., Congress stated that "substantially all" means 90 percent. Therefore, of the 25 percent of the members that do not have to be veterans, 90 percent have to be cadets, or spouses, etc., or 22.5 percent of all other members. Only 2.5 percent of the organization’s total membership may consist of individuals not mentioned above.
Example: Post A has a membership of 1,000 members. The membership consists of 750 veterans, 225 spouses and 25 members of the general public. This organization would satisfy the membership requirements of Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19), because at least 75 percent of its membership consists of past or present members of the Armed Forces (750 of the 1,000 members), and substantially all of its other members are cadets or spouses, widows or widowers of members of the Armed Forces (225). Under these facts, Post A’s membership may include no more than 25 members of the general public.
Who are considered past or present "members of the Armed Forces" for purposes of Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19)?
Internal Revenue Code 7701(a)(15) defines the term "Armed Forces of the United States" as:
Military and Naval Forces and Armed Forces of the United States.-- The term "military or naval forces of the United States" and the term "Armed Forces of the United States" each includes all regular and reserve components of the uniformed services which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, or the Secretary of the Air Force, and each term also includes the Coast Guard and most recently Space Force.
Veterans are defined as present or former members of the United States Armed Forces.
Members of the National Guard and the Reserve Forces are also considered veterans. See Rev. Rul. 60-65, 1960-1 C.B. 21. This would include members who are on active duty or are honorably separated from the National Guard.
May veterans who have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces be considered veterans for purposes of Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19)?
Persons who have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces are not considered veterans or war veterans for purposes of determining the composition of membership.
Would a category of individuals that included social members or friends of a veterans’ post jeopardize tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19)?
Such a category could adversely affect exemption, if these individuals are bona fide members, and if the post fails to meet the membership requirements contained in Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(19). As discussed previously, the post must maintain 75 percent veteran members, and substantially all the rest must be cadets or spouses, widows, or widowers of members or cadets. No more than 2.5 percent of the membership may consist of individuals without any relation to the military, including social members.
May a post issue memberships to sons, daughters and other related individuals (non-veterans) of veterans without jeopardizing its exemption?
The post may include non-veteran sons, daughters and other related individuals as part of its membership, provided that they comprise no more than 2.5 percent of the post’s total membership. A post exceeding this percentage might consider forming an auxiliary unit. See the following section on auxiliaries for a further discussion.
Next time we will address Auxiliaries
Senior Vice Commander TODD MCKINLEY
I want to begin by thanking every Post and individual who attended the Department Commanders tour and your respective district meeting.
Hurricane Helene: The 1st District was hit hard, so I want to thank everyone for the kind support you’ve shown to everyone who suffered because of this disaster. Post 61 Johnson County located in Mountain City, suffered severe flooding, but their Post home is still in tact and will rise again, but it’s going to take time and money. Watauga Post 49 in Elizabethton have teamed up with several Legion Post in Tennessee and elsewhere to bring relief items to those in need, in Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Also, keep past Post 49 Commander Kelly Greene in your prayers. Post 21 in Rogersville is also doing great work in providing relief to those in need. I know there’s several other Posts across the Department of Tennessee who are helping, but these Post need to be recognized.
There’s a saying that rings true, and that is 90% of the work is done by 10% of the people. It’s also said that decisions are made by those who show up, which is true when it comes to elections, Post meetings or any other similar situation. That’s why I want to encourage everyone to become active, recruit Veterans to join your Posts, recruit their families to join the greater “Legion Family,” after all another saying comes to mind and that is, “there’s strength in numbers.” With society currently in decline, it’s up to all of us to be a bulwark against our nation’s demise. When a community has an active Legion Post, that community tends to be more prosperous and happier, which is one of many reasons that I strongly advocate for our American Legion.
Important Links:
“For the Good of the Legion!”
East Tennessee Vice Commander James McLaughlin
East Tennessee has been a very busy area over the past few months. On September 7th the Division came together for the 1st Legion Family Divisional Shooting Competition, held at Maryville, Post 13. Post membership from as far south as Post 95, East Ridge and to the north as Rogersville, Post 21 attended the event. It was a day filled with a lot of laughs, camaraderie, and competition. Special Thanks to Department Commander John Davis for coming out east to spend the day with us. Be ready in the month of March when Post 13 does it all over again, this time it will be a pistol competition. Unfortunately for me Commander Davis felt like the Department should have a team representing them, and 3rd District Commander Dwight Woodcock agreed. So after twisting my arm, they convinced me to enter the shooting competition with Commander Dwight. Needless to say we were not the top team, and I hit everything except the target. It was a great day anyway, and I cannot wait for the next one.
September ended with tragedy as Hurricane Helene ripped through the Great Smoky Mountains. Incredible destruction all across Northeast TN. Through the rubble rose some amazing heroes, not just from Tennessee, but all across the Southeast Region of the American Legion and beyond. American Legion Posts from as far away as West Virginia, Texas and Illinois stepped up with trailer loads of goods to help the communities mot affected. We are compiling a list of all Posts who arrived to help. With 1st District Commander Scott Foulks working hard on Buddy Checks throughout the Region, he and I turned to 1 Post for disaster relief and distribution. American Legion Post 49, Elizabethton was our GO TO Post, and lead by their Post Commander Paulette Baldwin, the entire Post was ready for the challenge. Trucks and funds have been filtered through Post 49 to provide relief in Washington, Carter, Unicoi and Johnson Counties. I can not say enough about the dedication of the members of 49. This has been a 7 day a week mission for that Post with little rest in between missions. As East TN Vice Commander I would like to personally Thank Commander Baldwin and her entire membership. Very shortly 49 will Charter a new Auxiliary Unit, and even those future members have been charging hard to take care of their communities in need. In conclusion this Disaster has taught me a valuable lesson. The entire Legion Family is still STRONG, even across Department borders. I thank every Department from every state around TN who were here for us in our time of need.
East Division Vice Commander James McLaughlin Honoring World War 2 Veteran Dario Antonucci
1st District Vice Commander Eric "Scott" Foulks
First and foremost thank you all for your support you've given to the 1st District. We recently have had so much love from the legion family throughout the country.
Most Post homes are doing well. Mountain City Posts 61 will need a lot of work. Cmdr Bass has worked several hours along with some of our legionnaires local and from outta state. They're in the process of getting quotes for their legion now. I know a lot of needs are needed right now but if you would like to help with monetary or man hours please contact:
Commander Frank Bass frank.bass85@outlook.com or
Adjutant Patti Young adjutantpost61@gmail.com
Post 49 Watauga Post has been superstars for District 1; they have been working tirelessly with the community in relief efforts. Commander Paulette Baldwin is asking as of right now if you want to donate please do monetary at this time. A Lot of these collection points are bursting at the seams and running outta room to store stuff. They need to get items out of the collection spots first. But please continue to collect, just don't have to be in a hurry to send right away. If you would like to help Monterey you can send to http://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted button=QY6FFP6TGY9NU if you would like to help with man hours please reach out to:
Cmdr Baldwin pc3186@yahoo.com or
Adjutant Antonio Banchs ncbanchs@aol.com
Thank you all!!!!
3RD District Vice Commander Dwight Woodcock
On Oct 17th, 3rd Dist meeting was held at Post 203 in Spring City to a full house. Just weeks prior East Tennessee was affected by Hurricane weather. Our Dist supported 1st Dist area with a canned food drive and winter coat campaign.
“GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE”
When a Member is Not Helping, what do you do?
The American Legion is a voluntary association of veterans coming together to support veterans affairs and rehabilitation, national security, Americanism, and children and youth. We have a compelling mission and thus draw into our family some great people who are willing to put in the work to accomplish that mission. We also, very rarely, have someone who makes it harder to accomplish that mission through their conduct. When that happens, its up to the Post to maintain good order and discipline. How do we do that when we are a voluntary association of veterans? At this year's mid-winter meeting, I will be presenting a training Saturday morning on the step-by-step procedure so please come out to get the actual procedure and techniques. But in this article, I want to highlight some of the recurring problems and their direct solutions.
PROBLEM: THE MEMBER IS A GOOD PERSON WHO MADE A SIMPLE MISTAKE.
SOLUTION: Before preparing a formal charge for expulsion or discipline, assign that member a Mentor, an experienced member of the Legion (ideally from the same branch of prior service) who can 'show them the ropes' and help that member understand that to preserve our fellowship and incidents of service in all prior wars, we need to act right and treat each other with respect. We live in a time of changing social manners and expectations. Its ok to realize that a mistake was made and take steps to avoid making it again; its not ok to tolerate offensive or dangerous behavior in a way that will make the American Legion less respected. We can't achieve our mission if we are not respected in our community. We can't achieve our mission if our Post is not seen as a welcoming place for veterans of all backgrounds.
PROBLEM: THE PROCESS OF DISCIPLINE IS TOO VAGUE AND TOO COMPLICATED AND NONE OF US ARE LAWYERS WHO KNOW HOW TO HANDLE IT.
SOLUTION: Remember that American Legion discipline is not a court of law nor a court-martial. It is not expected, or required, that the disciplinary process be equal to what someone would have in either of those settings. The process is going to be spelled out in at least one, and possibly two places, and it is not designed to be difficult to use. In your Post Constitution and By-Laws, you may have a disciplinary protocol to follow. If so, it is likely to be similar to the one in the Department's Constitution and By-Laws, which is what you follow if your Post doesn't have its own rules. The Department's procedure is pretty straightforward.
1. A member writes out an accusation and gives it to the Post Adjutant.
2. The Post Adjutant then prepares a signed written charge sheet, telling the accused to come to the next Post meeting that is at least 15 days from the date of the delivery of the written charges, to deliver a written answer to the charges, and what discipline is sought by the Adjutant.
3. The Sergeant-at-Arms, or another member, delivers that written charge sheet, reads it to the Member accused, and reports back to the Adjutant.
4. At the regularly scheduled Post meeting an accused who has not filed an answer is disciplined.
5. If the accused does file an answer, trial is set for the next regular Post meeting.
6. At the trial, the Post Judge Advocate or a Judge appointed by the Department Commander presides and the verdict is be determined by the Post Executive Committee. A 2/3 vote in favor of the discipline must be obtained to impose discipline on the member; otherwise the charge will be rejected. The verdict of the trial will be recorded by the Post Adjutant.
That's it. Six simple steps, and none of them requiring a lawyer or anyone who has legal training since the four charges are all really clear: disloyalty, neglect of duty, dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming a member of the American Legion.
PROBLEM: WE DISCIPLINED A MEMBER BUT THEY WANT TO APPEAL.
SOLUTION: Appeals are nothing to be afraid of, especially since nothing is more important than being fair to the members of the American Legion, both the accused and the Post that decided to impose discipline. In the event of a verdict to discipline the Member, the accused Member has 40 days to appeal the decision of the Post to the Department Executive Committee on the basis that the procedures established by the Post's Constitution and By-Laws were not implemented effectively. The Department Executive Committee does not conduct a new trial; instead it reviews the record of the trial presented by the Post Adjutant and considers whether or not the trial evidence was sufficient to sustain the verdict and whether the trial procedure followed the established rules of the Post.
PROBLEM: OUR POST HASN'T IMPOSED DISCIPLINE ON A MEMBER IN A LONG TIME AND NONE OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH HOW MUCH MISCONDUCT WARRANTS DISCIPLINE.
SOLUTION: No Post stands alone. The Department's staffing exists to serve and support the Posts. If your Post leadership isn't sure whether or not the conduct of a Member is problematic enough to warrant discipline, reach out to your District Commander. They are experienced in Post leadership and took on that job to help mentor your Post's leadership team to success. Additionally, your Post Adjutant can contact the Department Adjutant for help making sure that the formatting of charges doesn't cause too much anxiety. Lastly, your Department Judge Advocate (me) is here to help your Post Judge Advocate set up the trial for success. Speaking for myself, it's actually fun to help a Post prepare for a fair trial and its a lot more fun than having to try to make sense of an unfair trial after the fact.
That's it for now. I would welcome you to contact me at mbromund@gmail.com between now and the Mid-winter meeting to share your direct experiences with good order and discipline in the American Legion so that I can make sure the training given on Saturday morning is real-world and relevant. I hope to see you at the meeting in Murfreesboro and welcome your questions, insights, and concerns. We can make our American Legion the best part of our veteran's community—if you speak out and step forward.
Chaplain's Corner
Our National Commander Jim LaCoursiere introduced LUV which stands for Loyalty, Unity and Valor. God is our great example in this. In the word we read in Hebrews 13 verse 5 and in 1 Chronicles 28:21 they say “for God hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”. God is always loyal to us, He’s got our back just as the tattoo of the VSO in my post reads IGY6, I Got Your 6. Loyalty leads to Unity just as the Old Testament says in Deuteronomy 6:4  “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one” this word one in the Hebrew language means unity or united. God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit are united in their purpose. We need to be united in our mission to help the veterans, their families and our communities be better. Unity leads to valor, it gives us the courage and strength to stand for what is right in the face of opposition. God tells Joshua in the first chapter verse 9 of the book of the same name “to be of good courage” as he is about to take Israel into the promised land.
Just as Loyalty leads to Unity. When we stand with our fellow legionaries we then become united with them to complete our mission. Once we are united that leads to Valor to stand for what is right in the face of the opposition to our mission. Now if someone demonstrates Valor it leads to Unity because they see the courage of that person and unite behind that person of Valor. Unity will lead us onto Loyalty because we will have the backs or our fellow legionaries to complete our mission.
May God grant us the ability to be loyal so we can be united to stand in the face of the opposition. AMEN!
Bob Howland
Post 287 Gibson County
Department of Tennessee
Chaplain
DEPARTMENT AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS DIRECTOR INTRODUCTION
My name is Eric Scott Foulks wanted to introduce myself to all of our riders throughout the Department. Most of you know who I am. US Army Retired Medically. Served as a Combat Engineer for 12 years till I retired in May of 2012. Served 3 yours overseas 2003-2004, 2006-2008 Iraq, 2009- 2010 Afghanistan. I have served in many leadership roles within my career. More recent I am currently the 1st District Commander of the Department of Tennessee. Been with my wife for 25 years. We have 2 children. I look forward to helping bring our Department forward and making us one of the best rider departments in the Country. This is We Thing not a Me thing. So, let us get things moving in the right direction. I hope you will help build a better program we need all hands-on deck. Stay safe, look out for information from your Division, District Directors soon. It is getting cold so make sure you stay warm while you keep your knees in the breeze. I am here for all of i can assist let me know.
Thank you all for what you do
Scott Foulks
"Chitz"
ericfoulks@yahoo.com
ericfoulks@yahoo.com
Tennessee Women Veterans chairman Carla bell
Hello female Legionnaires,
October is breast cancer awareness month and a great time for female veterans to schedule a mammogram. Women are urged to perform self-exams every month to note irregularities and are urged to get a mammogram as often as needed according to risk level after having a talk with your doctor. Going through cancer treatment is rough for some and it helps to have a battle buddy to fight the war on cancer. Some cancer survivors find comfort in assisting others through their treatment. Volunteering at a cancer center can be an option for women veterans that are able to be more active in their communities.
(https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer.html)
Women veteran Legionnaires are getting ready for the 2025 American Legion Mid-Winter Conference. Women Veteran participation in the department conferences has increased slightly over the past two years and female Legionnaires continue to hold leadership positions in posts across the state. Women Legionnaires are encouraged to go to the department conferences to become more familiar with the American Legion and to observe activity at the post, district, and division level of the Department of Tennessee.
If you are interested in attending the 2025 American Legion Department of Tennessee Mid-Winter Conference in Murfreesboro, contact your Commander or Adjutant as soon as possible for information on how to register.
In July of 2024, female Legionnaires were able to spend some time at the Darkhorse Lodge in Springville, TN. Big THANK YOU to the Catherwoods and Friends for allowing the American Legion females to visit. This was the first major group activity that female Legionnaires’ have participated in and it was a total success. The Darkhorse Lodge staff were extremely accommodating and everyone enjoyed themselves, though we did not make time for classes. The lodge had an abundance of activities on site, including axe-throwing, fishing, horseshoes, and cornhole. The trip was such a
tremendous success that we would like to begin the process of picking a date and signing up for the next one. If you are a female Legionnaire and you would like to spearhead this project, please let me know @ TNWOMENVETERAN@GMAIL.COM. We will talk about it more at the next department convention.
With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, there are opportunities for you and your post to volunteer in your community. Consider a food give-a-way or toy drive. If you are having difficulties motivating your members of your post, consider partnering with other veteran non-profit organizations to make a difference in your community to uplift a veteran in need.
I look forward to greeting you all at the 2025 American Legion Mid-Winter Conference.
Warmest Regards
Tennessee Boys' state chairman Jim reed
Tn American Legion Boys’ State 2025, Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today!
Hello fellow Legionnaires, my name is Jim Reed and I will be serving as the 2025 American Legion Boys’ State, Chair. Thanks to Tennessee Tech for hosting TNALBS, this year marks the 49th year at TTU and will be held from Sunday, 18 May through Friday, 23 May 2025. What an honor and blessing it is for me to have the opportunity to serve hundreds of young men from across the state in such a prestigious program. Boys’ State has been an integral program for the Tennessee American Legion since 1935 and continues its long-standing relationship with Tennessee Tech University. We want to ensure this quality program remains valid for another 89 years, so I ask each of you to invest in TNALBS by sponsoring a rising Senior in your community and help us spread the word across our 95 counties about this great program. Sponsorship is $425 per delegate.
There are numerous benefits associated with attending the Tennessee American Legion Boys' State program and it begins with Leadership Development. The TNALBS program fosters leadership skills among young men, teaching them about governance, civic responsibility, and the democratic process. On day one, delegates engage in mock government activities, helping them understand how their local, state and national government’s function. TNALBS aids in character development and will help each delegate know and understand the importance of ethics, integrity, and community service. With hundreds of rising Seniors from across the state in attendance, networking opportunities are unlimited and the educational experience provides a hands-on experience that goes beyond the classroom.
Lastly, we hope that the TNALBS will be a positive representation of those who have served, continue to serve, and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. As we support Boys’ State, know that it aligns with the American Legion's mission to foster patriotism and honor military service by reinforcing positive relationships between veterans and the younger generation.
https://www.tennesseelegion.org/files/Boys_State_Brochure
Kimberly McCaffrey was a special FBI agent assigned to a task force on organized crime working in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
McCaffrey was meeting with her colleagues in a federal court building just six blocks away from the World Trade Center when they heard what they soon would discover was the sound of the first of two planes that struck the Twin Towers on that day.
“On any ordinary day, I would have been two blocks from the World Trade Center working out at the New York Sports Club, but because we were in a trial, we were in what was called a War Room preparing for the testimony of the day,” McCaffrey told those in attendance at the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony held Wednesday morning by Kings Mountain Post 24 of the American Legion in the amphitheater of Johnson City’s Memorial Park Community Center.
She and her co-workers first thought what they had heard was a bomb exploding. Later, they began hearing rumors that a small plane, perhaps off course, had accidentally hit the World Trade Center. McCaffrey said that’s when she and her colleagues went to one of the higher floors to see what was happening.
“So we went up to the courtroom, which was on the 20th floor, and we saw the towers and immediately knew that it was no accident,” she said. “You could tell just by looking at it that they weren’t getting saved. There were helicopters. They were circling above the towers, but the flames and the smoke were so intense that you knew they could not get close enough.”
Soon, McCaffrey and other FBI agents began staging at Foley Square near the U.S. Attorney’s Office. She said a fellow FBI agent, who was at the New York Sports Club that morning, came running to meet them.
“She was clearly in shock and crying, and she just said, ‘Oh my God, they’re jumping.’”
McCaffrey said it soon became obvious to her and her fellow FBI agents that they were witnessing a terrorist attack. After the second plane hit the towers, she and others were told to evacuate to Canal Street. All the while, McCaffrey said they were hearing rumors of the possibility of Sarin gas and other horrors.
As she was running down Franklin Street, McCaffrey said “the first thought in my mind was, ‘I can’t believe I’m dying today. I'm 29 years old, in a terrorist attack in New York City and I haven't even had kids yet.”
After getting to a safe location, McCaffrey remembers how happy she was to see military jets arrive to the scene.
“I have to say, I had never been more thankful than when the fighter jets arrived in New York City,” she said “You know, standing there in the city, I just felt helpless.”
In the days to come, McCaffrey said she and other FBI agents were given the task of “guarding Ground Zero” and helping with the identification of the remains at the site.
“I think we worked 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. shifts for a good eight weeks,” she said. “Some of our other duties had us up on scaffolding where we would just pick up debris and throw it into a truck. We would rake through it, looking for anything to give families closure. We would look for body parts. We would look for IDs.”
McCaffrey said that experience would later lead to a diagnosis of cancer in 2009, which was later officially attributed to her exposure from 9/11.
“I did not know it was a 9/11-related cancer,” she said. “I just thought I was an unlucky 37-year-old who was diagnosed with breast cancer. I did think it was a little odd that eight other female agents in the New York office, which there weren’t very many of us, were also diagnosed with breast cancer and were there for 9/11.”
The American Legion also presented its First Responders of the Year awards during Wednesday’s ceremony to a Johnson City firefighter, a city police officer, an emergency medical technician, an emergency 911 dispatcher, a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy and a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer.
Bryan Lauzon, who served as master of ceremonies of the event, said Post 24 seeks to recognize “First Responders who have exceeded the duty requirements of their position and who exemplify the virtues of true professionalism, dedication and have demonstrated a distinct pattern of community service.”
Recipients of this year’s awards are:
• Cynthia Vanhoy, an emergency dispatcher with Washington County 911 Emergency Communications District;
• Justin Jenkins, a detective with the Johnson City Police Department;
• William Vannoy, an emergency medical technician with the Johnson City/Washington County Emergency Medical Services;
• Lt. Benjamin Blevins, a firefighter with the Johnson City Fire Department;
• Sam Heller, a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office; and
• Danny Ricker, a chaplain with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
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 (acting): Danny Pan, 619-972-5499, sdsubzero44@yahoo.com
Fifth (acting): david brewer, 615-429-5362, dcbrewer@yahoo.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
Resolutions
OFFICER NOMINATION RESOLUTIONS
NOMINATION FOR ELECTION AS THE DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE MIDDLE TENNESSEE VICE COMMANDER