GIs & Joe

1st Tuesday Monthly from 4-5 PM @ Morning Brew Co in Cambridge Square

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VFW Post 1697 Renaming Ceremony

VFW Post 1697 will be renamed and dedicated as Veterans of Foreign Wars PFC Travis F. Haslip Memorial Post 1697. June 12, 2025 @ 6:30 PM, Founders Hall in The Commons.

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WELCOME TO PFC TRAVIS F. HASLIP MEMORIAL POST 1697

Teamwork ~ Leadership ~ Commitment
As yesterday's defenders of freedom, we want to welcome today's military Service Members and Veterans into our ranks to become part of our elite group.  Our common bond is the battlefield, whether it is service in the Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, the Global War on Terrorism or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice have made a difference in preserving and defending world peace.
 

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Our programs support our service members while they are on the front line, as they are being discharged and long after they return. Your tax-deductible donation will be immediately directed to the VFW programs where your support is most urgently needed.

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Commander's Corner

Commander Bryan K. Hardy

GEN George S. Paton, Jr. once said, "I am a Soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight." This quote could easily be changed to "We are the VFW, We fight where We are told, and We win where We fight." The Veterans of Foreign Wars and it's members are the voice that defends Veterans everywhere and defends their rights and benefits. Whether its at the National, Department, District, or Post-level, it's members fight.
 
When I first joined in 2012, while on Active Duty in the Army, that was the main reason I joined. As a uniformed Service Member, I felt I was not able to speak out on the policies set by our government that impacted our Veterans and Service Members but the VFW could. Now as a Retired Service Member and VFW Legacy Life Member it has become my "fight where I am told." As the Post Commander it is expected for me, and our members to "win where I/We fight." Our nation made a promise to those who serve(d), and we must fight to ensure it's kept! 
 
As your Post Commander during the Post's 30th Year, I want to bring a revitalization to Post 1697, not because it needs it, but because we should leave a place better than we found it.  In order to do this, I have three priorities: Membership, Community, and Camaraderie. 
 
Membership - Achieve 102%, All Members recruit at least 1 new member, Two Life Members upgrade to Legacy Life. Doing all these ensures our Post continues to grow and thrives for at least another 30 years.
 
Community - Plan/Coordinate/Execute 4 Quarterly Community Service Events, Increase our presence in the Hamilton County community and Increase awareness of our VOD/PP/TOY/JROTC Programs. Community has been the driving force behind our Post for 30 years and there is not reason to stop now!
 
Camaraderie - Build trust and friendship among Post 1697 Members & Families, Plan/Execute a monthly/quarterly Post event, and conduct Buddy Checks on our Members/Families/Widows. Doing these shows that we care for our own and live the VFW's mantra NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS!

Announcements

Community Dinner 
VFW Post 1697 holds it's Monthly Community Dinner Meeting on the 2nd Thursday at 6:30 PM in Chestnut Hall at The Commons of Collegedale. Dinner is $15 and is catered by Chefs4VetsUSA. Open to all community members regardless of affiliation with the military or the VFW.
 
GIs & Joe
Come down, buy a coffee and pastry and enjoy casual conversations with Combat Veterans from VFW Post 1697. 1st Tuesday Monthly from 4:00-5:00 PM at Morning Brew Co, Cambridge Square, 6011 Chesterton Way, Suite 111, Ooltewah, TN 37363.
News & Events

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Membership

Membership Details

As yesterday's defenders of freedom...

 ...we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group.

WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Kosovo, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, War on Global Terror and other Peace-Keeping Expeditionary Campaigns throughout the globe.

Assistance & Benefits

Assistance & Benefits

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated

 to supporting those who sacrifice so much for this country, veterans, service members in the US Armed Forces, and their families and continues to be a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and their families.

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Post News

Important Info for Post1697 Members

VFW Post 1697 Renames Post After Local Fallen Hero

Monday, May 19, 2025 The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 will hold a renaming and dedication ceremony on June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Founders Hall at The Commons, 4950 Swinyar Dr. in Collegedale, to honor a local fallen hero. Originally chartered on Oct. 13, 1994 as Veterans of Foreign Wars Ooltewah Post 1697, VFW Post 1697 will be renamed and dedicated as Veterans of Foreign Wars PFC Travis F. Haslip Memorial Post 1697.

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VFW Post 1697 Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Collegedale/Ooltewah, TN (October 10, 2024) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 celebrates its 30th Anniversary of Chartering. Originally Chartered on October 13, 1994, VFW Post 1697 Officers, Members, Family, and Friends will celebrate this historic milestone during the regularly scheduled October Community Meeting on October 10, 2024. Six of the fifteen Past Post Commanders will discuss the outstanding record of service to the community, Veterans, and to the Nation over the past 30 years.

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Statewide News

News & Info from your department

Grand Old Opry Salute to the Troops

The event is Grand Ole Opry’s Salute the Troops concert event sponsored by Humana. May 21 at the Grand Old Opry 7:00 PM show time

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Tennessee State Convention 20-22 June

This is the annual meeting for department elections.

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National News

Important info from National VFW

VFW Urges Vets to Prioritize Mental Health During PTSD Awareness Month and Beyond

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As June marks PTSD Awareness Month, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is renewing its commitment to destigmati...

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VFW Calls on Nation to Remember the True Meaning of Memorial Day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As the nation approaches Memorial Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is urging all Americans to pause and ...

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OUR MISSION

Our Mission: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans. 

Our Vision: Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.


 Sec. 230102 - Purposes.
That the purpose of this Corporation shall be fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational, and are:
1. to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members;
2. to assist worthy comrades;
3. to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead, and to assist their surviving spouses and orphans;
4. to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and fidelity to its Constitution and laws;
5. to foster true patriotism;
6. to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom; and
7. to preserve and defend the United States from all enemies.