2027 MID-WINTER CONFERENCE: We will return on January 15, 16, and 17, 2027 to Sheraton Music City, Nashville for our annual Mid-Winter Conference. Event registration link along with a link to reserve discounted accommodations, for $159 nightly plus tax, is available on the Department website: www.tennesseelegion.org.
* * * * * *
DO’s & DON’Ts Of GENERATIVE AI: Generative AI use of the American Legion emblem and brandmark is becoming more widespread in artwork for flyers, posters, graphics and more. As outlined in the branding guidelines, (see link below) generative AI tools of any kind may not be used to create, recreate, upscale or otherwise alter, stylize or modify the official symbols of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion, American Legion Riders, American Legion Family, American Legion Baseball, Be the One, American Legion Boys State and Boys Nation, American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and Girls Nation, American Legion Junior Shootings Sports, charities of The American Legion and any associated sub-branding. This includes any use of the Legion marks in the visual branding of departments, districts, posts, squadrons or programs associated with any Departments, Districts, Posts or Squadrons. https://issuu.com/theath1296/docs/american_legion_emblem_branding_guidelines?fr=sNGZhMjg0MDA4NDQ
* * * * * *
EMPLOYMENT AWARDS: The Department annually presents awards at the Department Convention to honor employers who hire veterans, disabled veterans, and older workers. We also recognize those who help veterans find employment. The awards include:
· Employer of the Year – Small, Mid-Size, and Large
· Employer of the DisabledAward
· Employer of Older Workers Award
· Local Veterans Employment Representative of the Year
· Outstanding Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist of the Year
· Outstanding Employment Service Office of the Year
Nomination forms for each award are available through the Department website. Please include no more than two typed narrative pages as well as the official nomination form. Applications are due January 4, 2027.
* * * * * *
FIRE-FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: The Firefighter of the Year Award to a firefighter who has exceeded the requirements expected of their position and has shown a distinct pattern of community service and professional achievement. The award, which considers heroic acts, will be given annually at the Department’s annual convention. Nominees must be an active, full-time, paid, or volunteer who is a U.S. citizen assigned to a municipal, city, or county fire department. Please send applications to the American Legion Department of Tennessee, 318 Donelson Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 by January 4, 2027.
* * * * * * *
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS OF THE YEAR: The Emergency Medical Technician Award to an EMT who has exceeded the requirements expected of their position and has shown a distinct pattern of community service and professional achievement. The award, which considers heroic acts, will be given annually at the Department’s annual convention. Please send applications to Department Headquarters by January 4, 2027.
* * * * * *
VAMC CHRISTMAS DONATIONS/PARTIES: Please have all donations sent to Department Headquarters before December 9, 2026.
* * * * * * *
FALL MEETINGS: Fall Meetings will start on October 5, 2026. Members of The American Legion's National Executive Committee (NEC), along with the American Legion Commission and Committee members, as well as Department Commanders and Adjutants will convene in Indianapolis for the organization's annual Fall Meetings.
* * * * * *
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES: members shall pay for their renewals by October 20, annually. The Legion membership cycle is from January 1 to December 31. Department and National dues shall be paid for the full year, irrespective of the month the member may have joined. Membership dues collected at a local Post include Department and National dues.
* * * * * *
ORATORICAL CONTEST: First place state scholarship is $3000. Send applications to Department Headquarters by 22 January 2027. District Oratorical Contests are 6 February, through 27 February 2027. Divisional Oratorical Contests are between 6 March through 13 March 2027. The Department Oratorical Contest is set for March 20, 2027, held at Department Headquarters.
* * * * * *
DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS OFFICES: Will be closed October 13; November 11, 26 and 29, 2025; and again, December 24, 2026 through January 1, 2027, please plan accordingly.
* * * * * *
Please welcome Teresa Bethany: Teresa will be filling the role of Part Time Department Office Manager. Her schedule will soon be announced as will her official start date.
CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS AND GAMING: The Tennessee Nonprofit Gaming Law allows eligible 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations to hold an annual “game of chance” fundraising event. To conduct such an event, an organization must file the following with the division:
An application and all required attachments between July 1 and January 31 each year for the events to be held the following July 1 - June 30. A non-refundable fee. The division will review the application and transmit a list of all qualifying applicants to the General Assembly for its authorization. For more information call the Division of Charitable Solicitations at (615) 741-2555 or view the “Frequently asked questions (FAQs) go to: All Frequently Asked Questions for Charities | Tennessee Secretary of State . Raffles and 50/50 events are illegal unless permitted by Tennessee Secretary of State.
* * * * * *
100% OF 2027 MEMBERSHIP GOAL BY OCTOBER 20, 2026 - according to Article X, Section 3 of the amended Department’s Constitution, Revised June 28, 2026, and Article X, Section 4 of The American Legion National Constitution, Revised September 1 – 3, 2026. “Annual dues shall be payable October 20th of each year, for the succeeding calendar year.” We award $100.00 to each Post that has reached its 2027 membership goal and has transmitted the respective dues to the Department no later than October 20, 2026; we will give a check to the deserving Post at the 2027 Department Convention on June 25-27, 2027, held at the Sheraton Music City hotel. The respective Post Commander or Post Adjutant must submit their request in writing by November 15, 2026. The Department will verify the post attained their membership goal.
* * * * * *
Congratulations to West Division Commander Jean Launsby: She has been selected to attend the National American Legion College this November. This six‑day immersive program strengthens The American Legion by developing leaders who serve first, inspire others, and build lasting impact. Participants gain practical skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and service‑driven leadership—preparing them to guide their posts, districts, and departments with confidence, empathy, and vision. Her selection reflects her dedication to the mission of The American Legion and her commitment to leading through service.
Incorporation: Is your Post incorporated to protect its members? Unsure, check with the Tennessee of State’s office.
* * * * * *
POSTS WITH UNCERTIFIED POST OFFICERS: Posts 9 Byrdstown; 18 Celina; 57 Carthage; 96 Copperhill; 202 Gatlinburg; 292 Somerville; and 294 Rutledge.
* * * * * *
MISSING POST DATA REPORTS: Posts 4 Livingston; 15 Lebanon; 18 Celina; 20 Union City; 25 Erwin; 42 Fayetteville; 50 Rockwood; 56 Hartsville; 57 Carthage 62 So. Pittsburg; 66 Pikeville; 86 Ripley; 91, Old Hickory; 111 Flintville; 128 Decaturville; 156 Brentwood; 157 Hendersonville; 176 Linden; 177 Murfreesboro; 198 Middleton; 202 Gatlinburg; 208 McMinnville; 232 Harriman; 237 Covington; 282 Brownsville; 292 Somerville and 294 Rutledge.
* * * * * *
DEPARTMENT-LEVEL OFFICERS, ELECTED, OR APPOINTED: shall, within 30 days of election or appointment, complete at a minimum, American Legion Education Institute (ALEI) Basic Training. Once completed, a copy of the course certification will be forwarded to the Department Adjutant per Department Constitution Article VII, Section 11.
* * * * * *
DEPARTMENT AND DIVISION OFFICER; NOMINATION RESOLUTIONS: Department Constitution Article VII, Section 1: “At the Department Convention a Department Commander and Department Senior Vice Commander whose nominating resolutions have been forwarded to the Department Adjutant, and received by the Mid-Winter Conference, will be elected by the whole body, who cannot serve until properly installed at the same Department Convention. The Department Commander and/or Department Senior Vice Commander will be limited to two terms in office, and they must run consecutively. At the Division caucus conducted during the annual Department Convention, there shall be a Vice Commander for each of the three Grand Divisions whose nominating resolutions have been forwarded to the Department Adjutant, and received by the Mid-Winter Conference, to be elected, who cannot serve until properly installed at the same Department Convention.” Please have resolutions to the Department Adjutant by January 7, 2027.
OCTOBER 2026 CALENDAR
5-8: Department Commanders and Adjutant National Meetings (Fall Meetings)
12: Columbus Day (HQ offices closed)
13-18 National Commander’s Visit, he will tour the Eastern Division
14: 55% Membership Target Date
15: Third District Meeting, Post 190, Dunlap
16 Second District Meeting, Post 136 Oneida
17: First District Meeting, Post 113 Jefferson City
22: Eighth District Meeting, Post 130 Waynesboro
22: Woman Veterans’ Retreat; Dark Horse Lodge
23: Ninth District Meeting, Post 296 Trenton
24: Tenth District Meeting, Post 27 Memphis
24: SAL East TN Division Fall Conference
24: East TN Division Chaplain Training
31: Halloween
NOVEMBER 2026 CALENDAR
1: Fall Back - Standard Time, 2 am
6: Fifth District Meeting, Post 82 Nashville
10: Marine Corps Birthday
11: Veteran’s Day (Department HQ offices closed)
12: 65% Membership Target Date
13: Fourth District Meeting, Post 4 Livingston
14: Sixth District Meeting, Post 228 Big Sandy
16-21: National American Legion College
21: Seventh District Meeting, Post 78 Manchester
26-27: Thanksgiving (Department HQ offices closed)
DECEMBER 2026 CALENDAR
4: Resolutions affecting Department Constitution and Bylaws due to the Department Adjutant
9: VAMC Contributions due to Dept Headquarters
9: 75% Membership Target Date
12: Army-Navy Football game
20: Space Force Birthday
24-31 Christmas Holiday, Dept office closed
Post Training- Last Tuesday monthly www.legion.org/training
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.