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Veterans serving Veterans
The TRUE Meaning of Veterans Day - 11 Nov 2026
As November 11, 2026, approaches, the American Legion, Department of Georgia, reminds all of our sacred duty to uphold the true meaning of Veterans Day. Originally marking the 1918 armistice of World War I, this day is dedicated to honoring all American veterans—past and present—who answered the call to defend our nation. Unlike Memorial Day, which remembers the fallen, Veterans Day is our opportunity to show gratitude to the living individuals who served with honor and sacrifice.
As an American Legion leader in your communities, please ensure your local ceremonies, parades, and luncheons reflect this profound spirit of appreciation. Let us continue to serve as a beacon of patriotism across the state of Georgia.
Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to our fellow veterans.
Thomas F. Cannon, Chairman, POW/MIA Committee, American Legion, Department of Georgia
WELCOME to the
Department of Georgia
Commander Ray Humphrey (2026-2027)
DOG Personnel Changes
Effective 10/7/26
NEC Phil Youngblood resigned his position as the Department of Georgia National Executive Committee (NEC) representative and member of the DOG Executive Committee (DEC).
Per our Constitution, our Alt NEC, Randy Goodman, automatically moves up and becomes the Department of Georgia NEC.
Also in this case, our Constitution gives the authority to our Department Commander to appoint a replacement Alt NEC subject to the approval of the DEC. The Department Commander has appointed Wade Lnenicka to become the new Alt NEC. This appointment was almost unanimously approved by the DEC by vote.
In addition, the Department Commander has appointed Bob Stites, to become the new Department’s Judge Advocate to replace Wade Lnenicka, who was serving in that position. This appointment was also approved by the DEC by vote.
Also, for your information – Rhoda Basey has been hired to the DOG HQ Staff as the Membership Assistant and Department of Georgia Facebook Admin. Her contact information is at the bottom of the page within the HQ contact info.
DEC Opening Remarks
Please click the attached link to watch our National Commander, Jay Bowen, deliver the opening remarks at our National DEC meeting. Click Here
DEC Mt Resolutions online
Please click the attached link to read the Fall Meeting resolutions. CLICK HERE
Department Commander Ray Humphrey
Pass Down Log
October 2026
We are in the height of the tropical storm season! I hope everyone made it through Hurricane Isaias with no injuries and little or no property damage! I see that Hurricane Trudy is moving up the west coast! If it continues on its current course, it will head out into the Pacific Ocean and should not affect us!
I would like to thank all who have worked on membership and are keeping us on schedule! We have the opportunity to hit our 2026 – 2027 membership goal! Remember, if you recruit 5 new or expired members, we have a special pin for you! If you get 10 people on your Post to recruit 5, I will come to your Post or District meeting and personally present the pins!
I would like to take the time to give Post 11 in Blakely, GA, a shout-out! They have brought their Post back from the brink of closure to a position of strong leadership in Early County! They recently got their city declared a Purple Heart City and are working to do the same with their County! I would like for every Post to get their Post City and County declared a Purple Heart City! It is just a small recognition for the sacrifice that so many of our brothers and sisters made! We at my Post make our Purple Heart members Honoree Life Members!
Some dates to remember:
October 31st – Halloween! Don’t let the goblins get you! Make sure that your kids and grandkids practice Halloween safety!
November 5th – The 2026 Ga. Veterans Ceremony will be held in the north wing of the State Capitol at 10 am!
November 7th – Service Officer training will be held in Warner Robins at Post 172!
November 12th – 15th – Our Ga Legion College will be held at Post 160 in Smyrna Ga.
The sharing of ideas and programs makes us better! They also get us recognition in our local communities! If you have ideas, please share them!
“Personal effort may get you a trophy! But teamwork will win you the Championship!”
Ray Humphrey Commander, Dept of Georgia
National ALA President visit to DOG - Oct 2026
2026-10-19, Aux National Cdr Visit (5)
2026-10-19, Aux National Cdr Visit (17)
2026-10-19, Aux National Cdr Visit (39)
2026-10-19, Aux National Cdr Visit (52)
Boys State Tuition increase to $400
Effective immediately, the tuition cost to send a boy to the American Legion Department of Georgia Boys State this year has increased to $400 per student.
This was done after careful consideration and a vote of both the Boys State Committee members and the Department Executive Board. This was necessary due to the rising costs of everything associated with the program and to have the ability to continue to maintain and operate this Premier program of the American Legion at a high level.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the President of Boys State, Melvin Weaver at: 706-294.9340 or email him at: weavermelvin36@gmail.com.
DOG Mid-Winter Conference - 15-17 Jan 2027, Tybee Island, GA
lease see the attached flyer for Dept of Georgia Mid-Winter Conterence registration and hotel information. (All groups will register through this site). If you cannot use this link and prefer to register and pay by check, please call Department Headquarters at 678-289-8883.
FYI – The National Commander of the National American Legion and the National Commander of the Sons of the American Legion will both be attending.
Tentative basic agenda (Subject to Change).
Thursday – January 14, 2027 – DEC Meeting at 6:00 pm.
Friday – January 15, 2027
Conference starts at 8:00 am
2:00 pm – Bus Trip for all interested to the River Walk in Savannah, Ga.
4:30 pm – Bus takes all from River Walk to Thunderbolt Post 184 for a Fish Fry (All you can eat for $11.00)
6:30 pm – Bus takes all from Post 184 back to Hotel Tybee
Saturday – January 16, 2027
Joint Meeting starts at 8:00 am
4:00 pm – SAL Polar Plunge Event (All are invited)
6:30 pm – Banquet
Sunday – January 17, 2027
8:30 am – Memorial Service
A full Hospitality Room will be open on both Friday and Saturday.
The above is a basic DRAFT agenda, other information concerning breakfast and lunches will be forthcoming.
Link for Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/department-of-georgia-mid-winter-conference–2027
Link for Hotel:
and use the group code ALDOG27, or call us directly at 912-786-7777 and reference this group code.
Department of Georgia
Membership Status (2026-2027)
As of 10/08/2026
From DOG HQs/Adjutant
At the bottom of the page is the current Department of Georgia Contact information. Please use the primary Headquarters phone number: 678-289-8883, to contact any of the below during normal business hours. The main email address for Department Headquarters is: info@georgialegion.org.
Normal business hours 8:00 – 4:30 (M-F).
Department of Georgia Contact Info (as of Oct 2026)
- Main Headquarters Email & Phone Number – Info@georgialegion.org – 678.289.8883
- Department Adjutant (CAO) – Jim Fultz – Jimfultz@georgialegion.org – 470.707.8469
- Assistant Adjutant/Membership – Sandra Jordan (Assists with day-to-day operations) – sjordan@georgialegion.org – 404.395.2116
- Membership Assistant/Dept Facebook Admin – Rhoda Basey – rbasey@georgialegion.org – 850-559-1548
- Bookkeeper – Getzie Lamar (Bookkeeper/Travel Reimbursements) – getzie@georgialegion.org – 770.365.4090
- Administrative Assistant – Nora Carlton (Administrative and records support) – ncarlton@georgialegion.org – 770.630.2538
- Department Service Officer – Jonathan Buggs – jonathan.buggs@va.gov – 404-983-5516
- Webmaster – Mark Gelhardt (Oversees all aspects of the Department website) – Webmaster@georgialegion.org – 770.331.8051
