All-American Post

All-American Post (Division 11) Top 15 2024-2025

All-State Team - Dept. of TN

All-State Team Co-Captains 2024-2025

Ruck the Greenway with VFW Post 1697

1st Saturday Monthly from 8-10 AM @ Veterans Memorial Park of Collegedale

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Post-Site Sponsorship

Help VFW Post 1697 by becoming a Site Sponsor!

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WELCOME TO POST 1697 PFC TRAVIS F. HASLIP MEMORIAL (OOLTEWAH)

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.
 

DONATE TO POST 1697 PFC TRAVIS F. HASLIP MEMORIAL (OOLTEWAH)

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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Keep up-to-date on how the VFW is working to improve the quality of life for veterans, service members & their families and the community.

Commander's Corner

Commander Bryan K. Hardy

GEN George S. Patton, 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 it's at the National, Department, District, or Post-level, its 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 31st Year, I want to continue a revitalization in Post 1697 that we began last year, 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.
 
Ruck the Greenway with VFW Post 1697
Join VFW Post 1697 the 1st Saturday Monthly in Veterans Memorial Park of Collegedale at 8:00 AM to Ruck the Greenway! This is a community physical activity with a mission to "Honor Military Service, Build Community Relationships, and Train the Body & Mind!" Multiple options of participation are available. See our programs page or Facebook Event for more details.

News & Events

Upcoming events

Click above to view events.

View Local, State and National events. 

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

Winners of VFW Publication Contest Announced

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - VFW has announced the winners of the 2026 National Publications Contest. Like previous years, to encourage furt...

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Burger King Franchisees to Spend May Giving Back to Veterans

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is pleased to announce starting May 1, participating Burger King® franchise ...

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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.