VFW 4840 - Ray Pinner Post, Tipton County, TN

06/06/2026

Motorcycle Riders needed for funeral es**rt.

VFW Remembers Past Commander-in-Chief John Furgess
His long career dedicated to military service and veterans advocacy leaves an indelible mark

June 03, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States remembers the legacy of John Furgess, a distinguished Army officer, veteran advocate and past VFW Commander-in-Chief.

John began a lifetime of public service after earning his bachelor’s degree in business from Middle Tennessee State University in 1965. He entered the U.S. Army the same year where he served until 1970, to include a tour in Vietnam with a military intelligence unit assigned to the Americal Division headquarters at Chu Lai. For his service, he received numerous military honors, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal, among others.

Past VFW National Commander-in-Chief John FurgessFollowing active-duty service, John continued his military career in the Tennessee Army National Guard, ultimately retiring in 1993 at the rank of colonel after 28 years of combined service. He also completed the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1979.

In 1970, he joined VFW Post 1970 in Nashville, Tennessee, becoming a Life member in 1974. Over the years, he held numerous leadership roles within the organization, including Post Commander, District Commander, and Tennessee Department Commander (1978–1979), becoming the first Vietnam veteran to serve as the state’s commander. He later served on the VFW National Council of Administration and was appointed to multiple national committees.

After his military service, he continued his commitment to veterans as assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, a role he held for two decades until his retirement in October 2002, overseeing 11 field offices across the state.

John was elected to the organization’s highest office on August 20, 2004, during the 105th VFW National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following year, he es**rted a group of veterans on the VFW’s inaugural Purple Heart Return to Vietnam healing retreat, and traveled to Iraq, making him the first VFW National Commander to visit deployed service members in the region since the start of the Iraq War.

Beyond the VFW, he was active in several veterans service organizations, including Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, the Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion, the Americal Division Veterans Association and Vietnam Veterans of America.

He will long be remembered for his more than 60 years of dedicated military service and veterans advocacy at the local, state and national levels.

Celebrate the life of John Furgess, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home.

05/24/2026

A message from our Post Commander, Louis Parks.

As the Post Commander of the VFW Ray-Pinner Post 4840 Tipton County, I would like to thank two Local Businesses for their support of our Day of Service at the Tipton County Museum today. The first one is Home Depot of Covington for their generous donation of flowers and the second one is Oaklawn Garden Center in Brighton for their generous donation of mulch. It is a great feeling and pleasure to know that there are businesses that will help support Veterans. Again Thanks two these two businesses.

05/22/2026

Please come Sunday after church to honor our County and Nation’s war dead.

Tipton County Memorial Day Observance

VFW Post 4840 Ray-Pinner Post, in partnership with the Tipton County Veterans Council, respectfully invites the community to attend the 2026 Tipton County Memorial Day Observance as we remember and honor the brave men who gave their lives in service to our nation.

🗓 Sunday, May 24, 2026🕑 2:00 PM📍 Tipton County Museum751 Bert Johnston Ave.Covington, TN 38019

Guest Speaker:The Honorable Debra MoodyTennessee State Representative, District 81

This year’s observance will pay special tribute to three Tipton County servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice:

🇺🇸 Charles Porter SmithPFC, USA — KIA, World War II

🇺🇸 Otha Revelle VincesonSGT, USA — MIA/KIA, Korea

🇺🇸 Odell CraigSP4, USA — KIA, Vietnam

Memorial Day is not simply the beginning of summer. It is a solemn day of remembrance for those who never came home. Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we continue to enjoy today.

We encourage veterans, families, civic leaders, students, and all members of the community to join us as we honor the fallen, support those who served, and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.

“Freedom is not free. We will never forget.”

05/20/2026

Many younger veterans have asked an honest question:

“Do organizations like the VFW still have a place for us?”

The answer is yes — but the future of the VFW depends on making sure every generation of veteran knows they belong here.

For some younger veterans, walking into a traditional veterans organization can feel intimidating. Different generations served in different conflicts, under different circumstances, and returned home to different challenges. Sometimes misunderstandings happen. Sometimes experiences do not translate easily across generations.

But one truth remains:
Every veteran wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America.

At VFW Post 4840 Ray-Pinner in Tipton County, we believe service did not end when the uniform came off.

We are working to build a Post where:

* Vietnam veterans,
* Gulf War veterans,
* Iraq and Afghanistan veterans,
* combat veterans,
* reservists,
* National Guard members,
* and military families
can stand shoulder to shoulder again in continued service to community and country.

The mission is larger than any one generation.

Our Post is not just about meetings or traditions. It is about:

* mentorship,
* camaraderie,
* advocacy,
* service projects,
* supporting veterans in crisis,
* honoring the fallen,
* helping younger veterans navigate VA benefits,
* and continuing the bond forged in military service.

We honor the legacy built by previous generations of veterans while also recognizing that the future of organizations like the VFW depends on welcoming the next generation with respect, purpose, and opportunity.

Your service matters.
Your experiences matter.
And there is still a place for you here.

Veterans serving veterans — yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

05/03/2026

Do you know that as a veteran you are eligible for burial benefits? Watch the video to learn more.

04/13/2026

https://claims.vfw.org/?_gl=1%2A1tvtfkf%2A_gcl_au%2AMjAwMTQ0NTI4MC4xNzc2MDgzNjk1%2A_ga%2AMTcwNDIyOTI4Mi4xNzc2MDgzNjk1%2A_ga_GJV0BCNHVD%2AczE3NzYwODM2OTQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzYwODM2OTQkajYwJGwwJGg5Nzg4NTQ5Mjg.

GET THE BENEFITS and compensation YOU EARNED VFW Will Help You FileYour VA Claim — At No Cost Our VFW Accredited Service Officers are here to help you file your VA claim absolutely free of charge. No fees. No percentages. No contracts. Just experts standing by to help you get the benefits you’...

03/30/2026

Today we take a moment to honor the legacy of nearly 500,000 Marines who served during the Vietnam War.

When Marines landed in Vietnam in 1965, their courage was tested in some of the most storied battles and operations in Marine Corps history—including Operation Starlite, Operation Hastings, Khe Sanh, Hue City, and Operation Dewey Canyon.

Their service in the jungles and cities of Vietnam would help reshape the Marine Corps’ approach to warfighting and cement their contributions to the Corps’ history.

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Original Caption: A Marine from Company G, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, runs for cover as NVA soldiers open up with a .50-caliber machine gun during Operation Hastings. The action is taking place in Quang Tri Province, northwest of Da Nang. Photo by: Corporal Mahoney


✍️ (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Lance Cpl. Noah Matheny)

03/13/2026

Come attend this event that will benefit Irreverent Warriors su***de prevention.

April 25th, we’re rolling out the big guns. 🔥

Ranch & Rifle, — and BRRRtha the A-10 Smoker, are partnering with the Town of Covington for a one day event benefitting Irreverent Warriors.

That Saturday has been designated as Covington's Rally for the Brave, and it’s shaping up to be an incredible event. We’ll have military vehicles, live music, and local vendors filling the Square as we spend the day honoring and supporting our nation’s best and bravest.

Then that evening, smoke will be rolling for a 100-seat dinner ON THE SQUARE, serving up a special meal straight off BRRRtha, Big Green Eggs, and Webers.

ALL PROFITS WILL BE DONATED TO IW. If you haven't heard of Irreverent Warriors, then there is no time like now to head on over to their website and see all of the incredible ways that are helping end Veteran Isolation. We've put a link to them in our bio.

Mark your calendars and come HUNGRY!
Dinner tickets go on sale later this week.

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02/15/2026

In the past years we have discussed disaster preparedness at the post meetings. Here’s a free class that can help you move in this direction:

https://facebook.com/events/s/nws-memphis-virtual-storm-spot/947784564347197/

02/03/2026

Honor and remember the genuine service and sacrifice of the Four Chaplains.

Today, we honor the legacy of our great Chaplain Corps as we celebrate “Four Chaplains Day.”

On this day in 1943, four U.S. Army Chaplains paid the ultimate sacrifice. They joined together to comfort the 902 service members aboard the USAT Dorchester as it sank after being struck by a German torpedo—only 230 survived.

In their final act of selflessness, the priest, rabbi, and two ministers gave away their own lifejackets and sang comforting hymns for the men in their final moments.

I am eternally thankful for the countless sacrifices Military Chaplains have made over our nation’s 250 years. As the Department of War continues our mission to Make the Chaplain Corps Great Again, I am confident the souls of our service members will be well cared for throughout generations to come.