Don Mathis was elected State Department Commander of the Tennessee Department of the American Legion at the 91st annual convention in Nashville this past weekend.

Mathis is a native of Rhea County and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.  He's been a member of the American Legion for the last 33 years.  He is the first Legionnaire from Rhea County to have been elected to the position.  His responsibilities will include overseeing the 190 individual posts and 30,000 Legionnaires.

While on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps advanced through the ranks from Private to Major and served two combat tours in Vietnam.

He most recently was the Rhea County veterans service officer, a position he held for 23 years.  He was also a leader in all military veterans organizations and many community activities. 

His past positions with the American Legion include: Post Commande Brady Williams Post 100, Post Service officer, Post Adjutant and Post Membership Chairman.  He served as Third District Commander 1990-1991 and was named Leggionaire of the year in 1993.

On the national level he serves as a member of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee and National Legislative Committee.  He is a graduate of Rhea Central High School.  He is married to the former Hiroko Toshimi from Japan and they reside in Evensville.