Dept. CDR's Update (November 23rd)
- Todd McKinley
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Happy Thanksgiving!
Before begining this week's update, I'm asking for everyone who reads this to also share it. You can simply copy and paste this link anywhere.
This week's shoutout goes to our members with 30+ years of membership as well as our number one ally the American Legion Auxiliary and those who participate in the American Legion through the Sons of the American Legion.
Weekly Schedule
November 25th: Tennessee Commander's Chat: www.facebook.com/commanderchat
Membership
The higher we rise in percentage, the slower the rise is becoming. Presently we're at 68.88% and the next membership deadline is December 10th, where we need to be at or exceeding the 75% mark. Over the past several weeks, we've began to slip out of the top 20 and now find ourselves at 25th out of 55 departments and this is the lowest we should ever hope to be. We've now fallen to 5th out of 8 departments in the central region. We're also 698 members behind where we were last year.
Before hibernating for the winter season, let's dedicate ourselves to finish 2025 strong. If we strive to exceed our membership goals, it will reduce the headaches at the end of the membership year.
Mark Your Calendars
Well, don't exactly mark a specific date just yet, but next spring we're planning a Tennessee Legion Family Day on the Hill in Nashville. Don't confuse this with a Veterans Day on the Hill that have been held in the past. This event will be specific to the American Legion Family, which includes the Legion, the Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion.
National Legion College
Congratulations to East Tennessee Vice Commander Dwight Woodcock on graduating National American Legion College (NALC).
Help Needed
We need about 30 volunteers per day across the entire Legion Family. We also need several from across the Legion Family to step up and serve on the planning board for this wonderful event, and NO...you don't have to be a Rider to serve. I'll say that again, you don't need to be a Rider to serve on this board nor do you need to be a Rider to volunteer.
Voter Voice
We finished last week 3rd again. Thank you to everyone who had your vice heard, please keep up the work.
Be The One Resolution
Here is a copy of a resolution I wrote that the Sullivan County Commission (my home county) passed last Thursday. Thank you to my County Commissioner Zane Vanover for his interest in the American Legion's Be The One mission and Commissioner Gary Stidham (past East TN Vice Commander and others) in his commitment to the Be The One mission. You can watch my remarks by fast forwarding to 1:55:20.
The resolution is simply written and gets to the point regarding our Be The One mission. My hope is that out of the remainder of Tennessee's 95 counties that haven't passed a similar resolution will look to do so soon. I'm making this one available to anyone who would like to use it. If your home county has more than one Legion Post please recognize all of them, given this resolution isn't about turf, this is about "changing lives and saving lives."
WHEREAS on June 1st, 2023, the American Legion began an initiative called Be The One with the mission to end Veteran suicide,
WHEREAS an average of 22 Veterans a day commit suicide,
WHEREAS suicide is the second leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 10-24, behind unintentional injuries, with an estimated 6,500 individuals in this demographic taking their own life annually,
WHEREAS individuals commit suicide for many reasons, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Sullivan County Commission in partnership with the American Legion Department of Tennessee, American Legion Post 3 in Kingsport and Post 145 in Bristol commits itself to end suicide in every demographic from the young to the old alike, therefore, be it further
RESOLVED that the Sullivan County Commission urges every county government entity and private organizations alike to promote the 988-suicide prevention hotline and encourage all to host annual suicide prevention training.
Happy Thanksgiving!
In case you need some post dinner/pre-nap reading this week.
I'm thankful to be a member of an organization that at its core isn't about the programs, the titles, the positions one holds or has held, but the people.
What are you thankful for? Message me and let me know:
“VOLS: Veterans Offering Lifelong Service”
Todd A. McKinley
Department Commander
American Legion Department of Tennessee
