Tag: American Legion

The American Legion Department of Tennessee Monthly Bulletin includes a lot of upcoming events and goings on around the state. The Department also publishes the Tennessee Legionnaire which comes out in February, May, August, and November. A glimpse of what’s going on around us if you will.

The bulletin says, ‘The Tennessee Legionnaire has a new design which lends itself to photos of the things happening around the department. Email your photos to shannon@tnlegion.org. Also, we have launched an Instagram account for the Department, and you can find it. Follow us there so we can follow you as well. Instagram is a great way to connect with young veterans, who often do not use Facebook.’

Thanks to Shawn Taylor, our Adjutant, for highlighting this announcement.

Set For April 18, 19 at Cool Springs Marriott

Fifty years ago, some friends in Nashville visited a military antiques show in another state. On the way home they discussed historic items they saw and the value of having an organization in Tennessee to honor veterans, preserve military artifacts and provide opportunities to see or collect militaria. Following that conversation, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association was formed as a non-profit organization, hosting semi-annual events where anyone could buy or sell military antiques or relics, obtain information and appraisals, or simply enjoy being in a museum-type atmosphere.

The next TMCA show is set for April 18 & 19 at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, Tennessee and TMCA president Jimmy Howell says items for display, sale or trade “will include uniforms, medals, badges, photos, swords, daggers, vintage military weapons, flags, helmets, insignia, radios, cameras, binoculars, books, paper artifacts, home front collectibles and more. Weather permitting, there may also be WW II-era military vehicles in the Marriott parking lot. Modern weapons are not permitted to be sold or brought into the show.”

The show will be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, April 18, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Admission is free for Junior ROTC and Scout members in uniform, children under 15 (when accompanied by a parent) and active-duty military, police and fire department members. For all others, admission is $5.00. The Cool Springs Marriott is approximately 10 minutes from Nashville, located at 700 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin. Parking is free.

“We have two shows each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, and in the last few years attendance has been the highest ever,” says TMCA president Jimmy Howell. “Commemorative events for World Wars I & II brought renewed interest in military items, as did several movies, TV shows, film documentaries, books and magazine articles. We see children and grandchildren of veterans who have inherited souvenirs and are eager to talk with an expert about an item’s use and history – and we recognize more people are seeing military relics as investment opportunities as values increase.”

“As interest in military collectibles has grown, our shows have expanded to accommodate those wanting to view, display, buy or sell artifacts,” Howell says. “For the TMCA Spring Show we will fill three of the Cool Springs Marriott ballrooms with more than 400 tables brimming with military artifacts from many nations and time periods. We take pride in hosting family friendly events where guests can start or expand a collection of militaria with items in all price ranges – or just spend a few hours seeing and touching military pieces.”

Each year TMCA uses show proceeds and member donations to financially support Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs at schools in middle Tennessee and programs/efforts for veterans, including recent gifts to Operation Standdown Tennessee and Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee. You can learn about TMCA by visiting http://tmcaonline.org

More Information:

Ronnie Townes – 615-661-9379 rrtownes@att.net

Woody McMillin – 615-500-8433 woodyair@comcast.net

We’ve added some new information on our website under the “Resources” menu.

Select the “Local Veteran Services” page to find the way to this interesting and informative article.

Greetings Everyone, Reminder – Orders due by March 19, six days left!

It is that time of year again for the Auxiliary Tree Sale in Mt. Juliet.  I have attached the order form for your convenience in ordering your trees.  Click Here for your Order Form

Please note:  There are a few changes to be mindful of.  First of all, we had to schedule the pickup earlier than usual this year, so it is imperative that you get your order in quickly.  The pickup date is Saturday, March 29, 2025.  We are now taking orders thru March 19, 2025 with payment due by March 22, 2025.  Please, no exceptions.

Secondly, we had to increase our cost this year to $30.00 per tree.  However, the good news is if you pay by credit card or venmo, you will not be charged a fee.  Of course, checks are also acceptable.

Third, the only refunds we will be issuing this year will be for trees ordered and paid for but not available from our supplier.  We ask that you make sure when the trees are loaded into your vehicle that the count is correct.  Our helpers will make every effort to load the correct number, but it is also your responsibility to verify the count.  You will not be issued a refund if you get home and find your order was short.

All of that being said, we look forward to supplying you with some great shrubs and trees again this year and hope that you will once again support our Auxiliary fundraiser.  As in the past, some of the funds will be used to send local 11th grade girls to Tennessee Volunteer Girls State (an Auxiliary program designed to empower young women to become great leaders and responsible citizens and to learn about our government and how laws are enacted). Remaining funds will be used to support our Veterans and to promote patriotism in our community in any way we can.

I will look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Kathy Leedy

Fund Raising Chairman

Upon recommendation from 1st Vice Mike Faoro, here’s the 47 minute video for your convenience. I found it very informative.