Thomas Person
Chief of Staff - Army - Post 6018
Thomas L. Person Sr. is a retired Army Sergeant First Class and a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is a 1979 graduate of Pine Crest Sr. High School, Southern Pines, North Carolina, and a 1996 graduate of Central Texas College with an Associate Degree in General Studies, he also graduated from ECPI College 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a graduate of ECPI 2013 with a Concentration in Homeland Security. Thomas is also a graduate of Columbia Southern University in Alabama with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. Thomas is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success from Columbia Southern University. Past Commander Person works as a maintenance contractor at MMD Fort Bragg, NC.
Past Commander Person is married to the former Lois Jean Powell, a native of Waco, Texas, and
is the proud father of two sons: Dayshawn Anderson, a long-haul truck driver, and Thomas II,
who is currently a Major serving in the United States Air Force in Europe.
Past Commander Person’s tours of duty during his 22 years of active service include a Peace Keeping Exercise to Albania, combat tours to Southwest Asia as the 3rd Platoon served in Sgt, and later returning to Kitzingen, Germany as the rear Detachment Commander. He served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield 1991, Peace-Keeping Exercise in Hungary 1997, and Iraqi Freedom 2004, with numerous stateside assignments to including the Pentagon, 2 tours at Fort Cavazos formerly known as Fort Hood, Fort Bragg, and multiple overseas assignments to Germany.
His awards also include the German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge (Gold), Samuel Sharpe
Award, Combat Action Badge while serving in Iraq, Southwest Asia Medal w/Bronze Service
Star (3rd Award, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, Arm Forces Service Medal, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation of Saudi Arabia
and Kuwait ribbons and the Military Ordnance Corp highest award: The Samuel Sharpe Master
Gunner of Ordnance Medallion and the Iron Mike Statue Award from Fort Liberty for
Leadership.
Past Commander Person has been a member of Staff Sergeant James B. Dennis VFW Post 6018
for 20+ years and has held such positions as Trustee 3 years, Senior Vice Commander, All
American & All-State Commander of Post 6018, 2011-2013, All American District 8th
Commander 2015-2016 and All-American Department of NC Membership Chairperson 2021.
He was the District 8 Inspector and Central Conference President for two years. National Deputy
Chief of Staff, National Aide-De-Camp 2021-2022, Department of North Carolina Chief of Staff
2021-2024. Lastly, 2018-2019 and 2023-2024, Past Commander Person was the President of the
Past Commander and Past President’s Club for VFW Post 6018 and currently the Past State and
District Commander’s Club Chaplain.
His commitments don’t stop there; he’s a lifetime member of the VFW National Home located in
Eaton Rapids, Michigan, a Legacy Gold Lifetime Member of the VFW organization, 1 Gold and
1 Bronze pin for Volunteer Service from President Obama and chosen as the Comrade of the year during his tenure at VFW Post 6018.
"When I Move, You Move”