Members,
My name is Teddy Pipkin, and what an honor to be elected as your new State Commander of the VFW Department of Arkansas for the year 2023-2024. I have so much to offer and even more to learn as your state commander. I am excited to be able to work alongside the VFW Auxiliary and their newly elected President Cheri Wood. We have been planning for the last year to be able to show support and comradery to both organizations as a whole and work together one in the same. It has been proven time and again that when you work together as a family then you accomplish wonderful things. My goal this year is to make sure both organizations function as a family. Our dual mission is to support our veterans and that is what we need to do together.
I served in the Army and retired as a Staff Sergeant in 2015, alongside my wife Amanda Pipkin who retired in 2016. We have 2 children Amber (20) and Autumn (16), along with a grandson Cade who is 1. I served 1 tour in Egypt and 2 tours in Iraq. I received a Purple Heart while in Iraq during my First tour. I joined the VFW in 2012 at the Alpha Autry Post 2330 in Searcy. I became a life member shortly after, and then upgraded to Bronze Legacy Life member.
My Commanders project this year is VFW Department of Arkansas Youth Scholarships. My goal for my project is to be able to fund the Patriots Pen 4th -9th place and Voice of Democracy 5th–9th place winners for the next 10 years. This will ensure our youth can stay involved and help the department. I see the clever work our youth do every year writing their scholarships and the challenging work they put into it, and they need to continue to be recognized as such.
In Closing, I would like to ensure you that I am fully dedicated to this Department and all members of both organizations. I am ready to work, and I know with the support of my VFW members and the Support of the VFW Auxiliary members we can ensure that we are "ONE FAMLIY ONE FIGHT” as we "STAND STRONG FOR VETERANS”.
Respectfully,
Department of Arkansas Commander 2023-2024
Teddy Pipkin
