Tennessee’s long-standing “Volunteer State” nickname is official now, reports State Senator Joey Hensley in his weekly Legislative update.
The General Assembly voted to embed into state law the moniker our state has enjoyed since 1812. It refers to the prominent role volunteer soldiers from Tennessee played in the War of 1812, and the state’s response to President James K. Polk’s call for 2,600 volunteers at the beginning of the Mexican-American War. That call resulted in 30,000 volunteering from Tennessee, President Polk’s home state.
Our nickname “honors the state’s heritage and inspires future generations to answer the call to service,” Hensley stated.
