On June 16, a day after being elected and sworn in as commander of the Department of Tennessee, I accepted the national commander’s USA 250 Challenge. On a quirky whim I decided to Google the 250th day of the year, as I felt what a better day than the 250th day to kick off the department’s yearlong salute to our nation? The 250th day fell on a Sunday, strike one, so the next best option was the 249th day, not a big deal. That insignificant setback aside, I immediately had to scrap my initial plan as it was too grandiose, so strike two. Enter my second idea: hold events at the district level across the state (Tennessee has 10 districts across three divisions), which meant holding 10 events on Saturday, Sept. 6, the 249th day of the year.

While I came short of my goal of holding 10 district-level events, we did manage to hold six USA 250 Challenge-specific events, which included a nature/health walk in the 1st District where we fellowshipped and picked up trash along a 2.5-mile walk. The 2nd District Riders held an awareness ride from Lenoir City to Oak Ridge, while the 3rd District saw four posts holding Be the One walks.

Other events that recur monthly and/or annually incorporated elements of the USA 250 Challenge and of course our Be the One mission, which includes the 5th District’s Post 17 hosting their monthly breakfast. West Tennessee got in on the action as Post 55 and its Auxiliary in Milan held a monthly breakfast and their SAL detachment held their annual soybean cookoff, while Bumpus Harley Davidson in Jackson, which is in the 10th District, hosted a breakfast where they fed 50 veterans and first responders. This breakfast was attended and supported by the department senior vice commander, West Tennessee vice commander, 8th District commander, 10th District SAL commander, and members of Post 12 in Jackson and Post 77 in Lexington. At this event there were a few veterans who reached out for emotional and other support, letting us know that you never know when you’ll have an opportunity to Be the One.

Bottom line, I may have gotten two strikes early, as often our best-laid plans don’t always work out, but you never know the impact we can have by not quitting.

“VOLS: Veterans Offering Lifelong Service”

Todd A. McKinley
Department Commander
American Legion Department of Tennessee