American Legion Post 95 in East Ridge is "closed until further notice," according to signs on its doors on Monday.
A letter from state Legion officials said the suspension of the veterans group was due to gambling.
On Monday, there were a number of cars in the Ringgold Road parking lot, but all the doors on the window-less building were locked.
No one answered the phone listed on the post's website.
However, the state Legion clarified the issue in an earlier email to Post 95 members.
It says:
THE AMERICAN LEGION
Department of Tennessee
318 Donelson Pike, Nashville, TN 37214
July 9, 2025
We hope this letter finds you doing well, and we appreciate your service to our great country.
The reason we are contacting you, the Department Executive Committee, in a Special meeting, July 8, 2025, has decided to suspend Post 95, William E Blair Inc., East Ridge Tennessee Charter for a minimum of twelve (12) months according to Department Constitution Article XI.
William E. Blair, Inc., East Ridge TN Post 95 has failed to operate, and to meet its obligations imposed by State Law and Statue as well as the Department Constitution and Bylaws, by continuously violating one or more of the items found in Article XI, Post Organization, Section 13:
1. All members of The American Legion showing current American Legion card and spouse or escort.
2. All members of The American Legion Auxiliary showing current card and spouse or escort.
3. All members of The Sons of The American Legion showing current card and spouses or escort.
4. Guests if accompanied by an American Legion, Sons of The American Legion or Auxiliary member showing current card. Members are responsible for their guests and may not leave before guests.
5. There shall positively be no drinking of any kind during the Legion meeting or drinks brought into the meeting room.
6. No intoxicated member will be tolerated in the lounge, canteen, or bar.
7. Cashing of checks, credit or lending lounge funds is prohibited.
8. Any members or guests removing, damaging, or destroying any property of The American Legion shall pay for damages.
The Post has or has been known to have gaming events on its premises; which violates Tennessee’s Gaming Laws; Still, Tennessee operates an official state lottery, and allows nonprofits to hold games of chance as long as they ask the state for permission. The gambling statute also singles out "futures or commodities trading" as legal activities.
While most forms of gambling are prohibited in Tennessee, even some activities that may not seem like gambling, not all forms of gambling are illegal. Refer to Code Section 4-36-101 et seq.; 39-17-501 et seq. or visit the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website. Furthermore, financing, owning, or supervising a gambling operation is a Class E felony, punishable for up to six years and prison and a possible $10,000 fine. Routinely, Post 95 has “Ace of Diamonds” listed on their events calendar, “Ace of Diamonds” is illegal in the State of Tennessee. There is no record of Post 95 receiving permission through Tennessee’s Secretary of State to hold or operate any type of game of chance.
Upon receipt of this notice, the post charter is suspended. The William E. Blair, Inc. Post 95, East Ridge, TN will immediately cease operations and will surrender its charter to the Department Commander or Department Executive Committee. The Department Executive Committee will be authorized, empowered, and directed by and through its duly authorized agents to take possession, custody, and control of all the records, property, and assets of the Post; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the Department of Tennessee to assume any financial responsibility as to such property. The Department Executive Committee may provide for the transfer of the members in the Post to other Posts of their choice, subject to the approval of such other Post, and shall take all necessary and proper steps and proceedings to wind up and close the affairs of such Post. While the charter is suspended, the post’s lounge will be closed. The Department Executive Committee will allow monthly post meetings, along with allowing the post’s Honor Guard to operate. All other post programs unless authorized by the Department Executive Committee will cease to function.
The post has 15 days to request an appeal hearing, or by July 24, 2025, by contacting Department Headquarters, in writing.
How does this affect you? You also have the option of transferring your membership to another post.
If you would like to renew immediate, prior to membership transfer, please make checks out to: The American Legion, Department of Tennessee and mail your membership renewal to:
The American Legion Department of Tennessee
C/O: American Legion Post 95
318 Donelson Pike
Nashville TN 37214
You can reach me, Department Commander McKinley, at (202) 256-0219.
Post Objectives must be met to restore charter:
· Follow State Law
· Audit of post financial records.
· Updated Post Constitution and Bylaws that does not conflict with National and/or Departmental Constitution and Bylaws.
· An Election of Officers.
o Certification sent to the Department immediately following election.
o Background check on all elected officers.
· Completion of American Legion Basic Training by prospective officers.
· Delegate attendance at District and Department Conferences and Conventions.
· Maintain A system of record, verifying membership eligibility.
· Obtain/maintain proper ABC license if the post elects to continue operating a lounge for its members.
o Only ABC permitted servers.
Veterans Offering Lifelong Service,
Todd McKinley
TODD MCKINLEY
Department Commander