Operation Show & Tell

What exactly is "Operation Show & Tell," you maybe asking. Well, give me a few moments of your time and I'll explain. Now mind you, for this idea to bear fruit for the American Legion on a national level, it requires buy-in from everyone in all 55 departments. What I'm asking for are willing members across the entire Legion Family (Sons of the American Legion & Legion Auxiliary) to be willing to openly use social media (or your own website) to share & promote the American Legion by telling stories through Operation Show & Tell. I'm sure everyone remembers this activity in Kindergarten. BTW, I received an "E" for Excellence in Show & Tell and I'm sticking to that story.

Operation Show & Tell

I'm urging everyone in the Legion Family and Veteran community (every community is a Veteran community) to post a video or go live on social media and discuss an item you treasure (preferably Legion related) and tell a story with it, such as where did you get or "acquire it," what does it mean to you and how does it make you feel.

Example: Take a Legion cap for example, it could be related to an office you hold/held, or Post/Department you belonged to and why it's important to you. You can really show off anything you have, a car, challenge coin, Army helmet, award or whatever and tell a story. In the video, add in why you joined the Legion Family, and yes, this is a backdoor "why" video project.

I'm urging everyone to use the following hashtag #myamericanlegion and #LegionFamily across all platforms and promote camaraderie in our communities, after all strong communities are the foundation of strong states and strong states make a strong nation. You can make these stories fun and lighthearted or you can be serious, but let's keep it PG. Also, please be sure to promote membership in these endeavors by sharing the link below. You may also use any other hashtag such #BeTheOne or whatever you think applies, just be sure to promote Legion Family, encourage membership and of course have fun.

• www.legion.org/about/american-legion-family

“VOLS: Veterans Offering Lifelong Service”

Todd A. McKinley

Department Commander

American Legion Department of Tennessee

My Current Public Involvement (January 16th)

From time to time, I feel it's important to update the public as to what organizations and activities I particiapte in. I do this, because I feel I have an implied duty to do so. Take a look, if interested in knowing more, feel free to reach out anytime.

Public Office

Sullivan County Board of Education (District 5 Representative):

Presently, I serve on the Sullivan County Board of Education, representing District 5. Email me, or message my website if I can be of service, especially if you live in the 5th BOE District.

• todd.mckinley@sullivank12.net

Veterans Service

American Legion Department of Tennessee Commander:

I currently serve as the Department (State) Commander of the American Legion Department of Tennessee. Take a look at the links below to learn more about what we're working on, but especially reach out if interested in joining.

• www.toddmckinley.com/blog/categories/american-legion

• www.tennesseelegion.org

Civic Projects

Host of the Northeast Tennessee Community Roundtable:

This is a revamp of my old Veterans Coffee Roundtable, the reason I've decided to revamp the name was I feel many outside Veteran Service Organization circles didn't know the public was invited, not just Veterans. Also, I want to make this a true civics meeting with a simple format that will hopefully grow and one that doesn't trade on the name Veteran.

Since retiring the Veterans Coffee Roundtable name last year, I've had dozens of people ask me if I'm going to restart it, or do something else. Well, I'm doing something similar but I'm looking to expand the reach and make civic life important again, which necessitated the name change.

• www.toddmckinley.com/blog/categories/civicsmatter

• www.toddmckinley.com/post/northeast-tennessee-community-roundtable

• www.toddmckinley.com/post/northeast-tennessee-community-roundtable-february-28th

Show Host

Host of the Todd McKinley Commentary:

I'm likely going to be dusting off the podcast I hosted from 2020 to 2024 and will look to interview local and state candidates in the Volunteer State for the 2026 election.

• www.toddmckinley.com/post/a-podcast-absolutely-nobody-asked-for

Host of Todd Talks:

I'm also looking to dust off this podcast as well, which has been a brief podcast I hosted in 2002 and again 2004 and was more of a topic driven and at times question and answer show.

The Common Sense Conservatives:

The Common Sense Conservatives is a Radio, Podcast, Social Media, and Streaming Show, (Live every Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM Eastern). "We make sense of the inverted reality we are subject to every day, The Common Sense Conservatives are here to help bring you back to reality…..Hosts, Chris Wyatt, Todd McKinley, and John Grosvenor." Watch or listen live or at your convenience at the following links.

• www.toddmckinley.com/the-common-sense-conservatives

Todd A. McKinley, BA, MSL

SFC, USA-Ret.

Todd@toddmckinley.com

www.toddmckinley.com 

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Be The One: Mid-South Roundup (May15-17)

Legion Family,

2026 is here, and with the new year comes the first ever, American Legion Department of Tennessee's Be The One Mid-South Roundup. Thus far the Riders have put in a great deal of work, but now that May is just a few months away, we as a department need to kick it in gear and make this a true success. Please check out the flyer for more information, but scroll to continue reading and remember, this event is open to the entire Legion Family and other VSOs and friendly groups.

Be The One Commission

All proceeds go to support the department's newly formed Be The One Commission in their endeavors.

• www.toddmckinley.com/post/betheonetn

Help

There's many ways to help, from registering to attend, assisting in many other ways from volunteering to serve on the planning committee (FYI: YOU DON'T HAVE to BE a RIDER to VOLUNTEER), and yes, I plan to volunteer every day. We need help from the entire Legion Family to help promote and make this event a great success.

• alr.tn.clerk@gmail.com

“VOLS: Veterans Offering Lifelong Service”

Todd A. McKinley

Department Commander

American Legion Department of Tennessee