Resolution for Department of Tennessee Commander (2025-26)

Fellow Legionnaires,

I look forward to earning your support and serving as your Department of Tennessee Commander upon the conclusion of the 2025 Dept. Convention (June 14-15) in Murfreesboro. Until we meet again, please consider joining or renewing your membership.

Todd A. McKinley

Dept. Sr. Vice Commander

WHEREAS It is with great pride that Gary Stidham, Past East Tennessee Vice Commander and Angelo Pellitteri, Commander Hammond Post 3, Kingsport, Tennessee, endorses and supports Department of Tennessee Senior Vice Commander Todd A. McKinley for the office of Commander, Department of Tennessee, and

WHEREAS Todd earned his eligibility for membership in the American Legion through his service in the United States Army from October 2nd, 1996, until his retirement on October 31st, 2016, where he attained the rank of Sergeant First Class E-7, while serving 20 years and 29 days faithfully and honorably, with 6 ½ years of service at the White House Communications Agency, combat service in Afghanistan and Iraq, and

WHEREAS Todd has served as Post 3 Membership Chairman (2016-17), Post 3 Adjutant (2017-18 & 2022-23), 1st District Commander (2018-19 & 2021-22), East Tennessee Vice Commander (2022-24), Post 3 2nd Vice Commander (2023-24), Post 3 1st Vice Commander (2024-25), Department Senior Vice Commander (2024-25), and

WHEREAS Todd has served as a member of Post 3 Executive Committee (2016-18 & 2022-25), Department Executive Committee (2018-19 & 2021-25), Post 3 Delegate to the 1st District & Department Conventions (2016-24), East Tennessee Oratorical Chairman (2022), Department Legislative Liaison for the 1st Congressional District (2023-24), Department Trophies and Awards Committee Member (2022-25), Department Trophies and Awards Committee Chairman (2024-25), National Security Commission 62nd Annual Washington Conference (2022), National Legislative Council for the 118th Congress for the TN-01 U.S. House District where he was named the National Member of the Week four times (April 6th, 2023, April 12th, 2024, May 17th, 2024 & June 14th, 2024), National Security Commission: Conventional Armed Forces Committee (2023-Present), National Convention Finance Committee (2024), National American Legion College Alumni Association Board (2024-Present), Department Delegate to the National American Legion Convention (2022-24), and

WHEREAS Todd has completed the American Legion Extension Institute (2017), American Legion Intro to Basic Training (2021, 2023 & 2024), American Legion Basic Training (2021), American Legion National College (2021), and American Legion Department of Tennessee College (2022), and

WHEREAS Todd earned a Master of Science (Leadership: Global Leadership), from Duquesne University in 2014, with a 3.7833 GPA, a Bachelor of Arts (Homeland Security), from American Military University in 2010, with a 3.2341 GPA, a Certificate (Leaders of Learning), from Harvard University in 2016, a Certificate (Executive Leadership) from Cornell University in 2014, and was one class short of an Associate of Arts (General Studies), from Central Texas College, as well as many professional classes and courses, and

WHEREAS Todd is an active member of Post 3, he is also active in several other sister Veterans Service Organizations and community organizations and is a board member and President of the Sullivan County Veterans Memorial, he hosts a weekly radio show, and a monthly Veterans Coffee Roundtable, facilitates a Veterans Oral History Project, is authoring a book about Veterans Suicide, visits with Veterans in the University of Tennessee Hospice System, serves on the Sullivan County School Board, and is a proven, dedicated, strong, and experienced leader in all positions he has held; therefore, be it,

RESOLVED that the Officers and members of Post 3 Kingsport, Tennessee do hereby nominate, endorse, and fully recommend to the Legionnaires of Tennessee, Todd A. McKinley as a candidate for the office of Commander, Department of Tennessee.