Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697
Ooltewah, Tennessee
https://vfwpost1697.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp
THU 08-MAY-2025 06:30 PM
VFW POST 1697 COMMUNITY MEETING CANCELLED
DUE TO
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL 11 PM
ANNOUNCING OUR NEW WEBSITE:
https://vfwpost1697.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp
. . . and thanking all our Viewers for their support of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 over the years ever since its founding in October 1994 in Ooltewah, Tennessee!
. . . and welcoming Everyone to the continued mission of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in support of Country and Community!
Welcome to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697, located in Collegedale, Tennessee!
Check out our https://www.facebook.com/vfw1697/ link . . .
See You and Yours on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 6:30 PM
in our Special Christmas Venue ...
and please bring your Holiday Favorites to share in our Dinner!
Veterans Day 2024
Veterans Memorial Park
Collegedale, Tennessee
Look for more photos and videos on our "comrade" site:
Photo credits: facebook.com/vfw1697 (11-SEP-2024)
A huge shout-out to Ace Hardware for donating 720 American Flags to VFW Post 1697 "in order to honor and mark American Veteran's graves this Memorial Day"! THANK YOU, Ace Hardware and American flag maker Valley Forge for our local share of the One Million Flag Giveaway you are generously providing to our Nation this Memorial Day 2024!!
READ VFW Commander-in-Chief congratulates Post 1697 on its 2023-2024 membership achievement here ...
Check out our https://www.facebook.com/vfw1697/ link . . .
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697's Spring Market on TV!
WATCH IT HERE ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKrUEt8gJug
A REMARKABLE RESULT:
The gift cards totalled $2,035 - thank you for your generosity to the teenage clients in 2024 of The Samaritan Center!
Get your copy while available at the Collegedale (Tennessee) Public Library https://www.collegedalepubliclibrary.org/.
The Author is donating all proceeds to the Friends of the Library https://www.collegedalepubliclibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/.
Check out our https://www.facebook.com/vfw1697/ link:
Introducing our new Facebook admin, Bryan K. Hardy, whose contribution already broadens our Veterans' perspectives in our Communities and will inspire expanded Service to God and Country: Thank you, Bryan!
https://www.wdef.com/local-veterans-celebrate-flag-day/ links to Ms. Greer's interview reproduced here also:
Local veterans celebrate flag day
Ooltewah, Tenn. (WDEF) — Veterans celebrated flag day at Ooltewah Walmart by fundraising for new flags at Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park.
Flag day is celebrated every year on June 14. The holiday honors the American flag and commemorates the adoption of it back in 1777.
“Now if you were to ask me what the flag means to me and how important it is … when we lose, have lost fellow members, that’s the final thing that we lay on their casket,” previous Post Commander Jason Cobb said.
The American Legion Post 257 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 raised funds for flags at the Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park.
“We respect it. And we do our very best to show people how to retire a flag properly,” American Legion Post 257 Commander Dennis Smith said. There was a ceremony held at 6 p.m. at Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park for the retirement of flags from the local area.
The event aimed to foster patriotism in the community and provide resources about how to get involved with the organizations.
“… It’s not just a piece of cloth. It’s a symbol of our nation, our country, and what it stands for… Freedom,” American Legion Post 257 Vice Commander Richard Eberly said.
A quick note for new visitors: Look up your name or someone else's in https://www.vfw1697.org/index-of-names/ or if a recent event start with https://www.vfw1697.org/news-events-from-2023/ and scroll to the specific date. We welcome your email input to info@vfw1697.org or at https://www.vfw1697.org/contact-us/ on our Website and appreciate your interest in Veterans! The sidebar on the right shows the latest date of changes made by the Webmaster. To return to this page please click or tap Home on the top of the left sidebar.
2021 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 VOICE OF DEMOCRACY Winner Announced:
09 DEC 2021: COMMANDER Jason M. Cobb presenting Richard L. Shank the Winning Award for the 2021 VFW Post 1697 Voice of Democracy competition. Mr. Shank also won 2nd Place in District 3 of VFW Department of Tennessee!
EVERYONE IS CORDIALLY INVITED to all regular meetings that are held monthly on the second Thursday at 6:30 PM in CHESTNUT HALL of Collegedale Commons on 4950 Swinyar Drive. SEE YOU SOON!
VFW POST 1697
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
TAKE PLACE EVERY SECOND THURSDAY AT 6:30 PM
IN CHESTNUT HALL
OF COLLEGEDALE COMMONS
ON 4950 SWINYAR DRIVE!
Special Note of Appreciation: Since the organizing of our Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 on 13-October-1994 the venue of our twice monthly meetings until now (14-October-2021) has been the Collegedale Municipal Building, for which we, the members of VFW Post 1697, express our deepest gratitude!
We also thankfully recognize the courtesy extended by the Collegedale Tomorrow Foundation for us to meet in Chestnut Hall of Collegedale Commons.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING:
THURSDAY, 13-March-2025
at 6:30 PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR, COMRADES!
Continuing in 2025 ...
Reminder: Chestnut Hall in Collegedale Commons at 6:30 PM is the site of the regular monthly Community meeting of VFW Post 1697 to which all Veterans and Family and Friends are invited starting with the catered supper at $15 a plate from CHEFS4VETSUSA and continuing the program with special guests and speakers each month.
Y'all are welcome!
You can share selfies or other photos for posting online to info@vfw1697.org. Thank you. Please include a brief statement giving your permission and captions with the names of the people shown. When posted these pictures will be credited to their author.
We keep marching our Veterans to that great Parade Ground in the Sky, where our Heroes from all conflicts and commitments stand at Parade Rest to welcome their Brothers and Sisters to the rest they so eminently deserve. We salute them, even with tear-filled eyes as we miss them and mourn their departure from Us. By faith we expect that rapidly approaching Grand Reunion when their and our Commander-in-Chief welcomes the victorious Hosts of the Saved to His and now our Eternal Home.
Hold that thought as together we remember COMRADE Jack J. Blanco, recently deceased Member of Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
His obituary is on the new Website of our Post:
https://vfwpost1697.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=148847&d=y&subid=76734
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WORDS FAIL WHEN HEARTS BREAK DUE TO THE DEPARTURE OF THE FIRST COMMANDER OF OUR POST J. VERNON HEROD
WHOSE SERVICE TO GOD AND COUNTRY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, ACKNOWLEDGED RESPECTFULLY HERE.
FOR A FULLER REVIEW OF HIS PARTICIPATION IN VFW POST 1697 PLEASE REFER TO THE Index of Names AND Service Stories AND Scans from our Post's Scrapbook.
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For the Honor Roll of our departed Comrades LINK HERE
Remember/review the unveiling of a new bronze statue of a female military person at the Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021:
https://www.vfw1697.org/veterans-memorial-park/
FOR THE CAPTION HOVER YOUR MOUSE POINTER ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS BELOW AND CLICK TO ENLARGE THE PICTURE.
Remembering Chattanooga’s Fallen Five
Memorial to Chattanooga's Fallen Five in Collegedale, Tennessee, Veterans Memorial Park.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Thank you for your support!
$825 was raised on Flag Day,
June 14, 2019, towards flags
flying in Collegedale
Veterans Memorial Park!
2019 Flag Day Patriotic Celebration (1): Display of banners and flags at Walmart Supercenter #3835 in Collegedale, Tennessee.
2019 Flag Day Patriotic Celebration (2): State Commander (2018-19) MIKE RHEW, Department of Tennessee, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Commander DENNIS E. SMITH, Desmond T. Doss American Legion Post 257 of Collegedale.
2019 Flag Day Patriotic Celebration (3): From left, Commander LEWIS L. SZERECZ, Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697; State Commander (2018-19) MIKE RHEW, Department of Tennessee, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Commander DENNIS E. SMITH, Desmond T. Doss American Legion Post 257 of Collegedale.
2019 Flag Day Patriotic Celebration (4): A big “Thank you” to everyone at Walmart Supercenter #3835 in Collegedale/Ooltewah, Tennessee, for hosting and assisting in the 2019 Flag Day Patriotic Celebration on June 14 as coming from your fellow Patriots in Desmond T. Doss American Legion Post 257 of Collegedale and Ooltewah Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697. On the hand-held poster:
We all are grateful to our Walmart Supercenter #3835 for making this Flag Day Patriotic Celebration possible!
Donations TOTAL from the Public on Flag Day, June 14, 2019, at Walmart Supercenter #3835 in Collegedale, Tennessee, for Collegedale VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK flags. THANK YOU TO ALL!
The 2019 FLAG DAY PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION on Friday, June 14, harks back to 1777 when the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS officially adopted THE STARS AND STRIPES as the Flag of THE UNITED STATES. Our commemoration--conducted jointly with Desmond T. Doss American Legion Post 257--will take place next to Walmart Supercenter #3835 off Little Debbie Parkway in COLLEGEDALE as a fund raiser for the flags flying in our VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK on Apison Pike. Those flags include THE STARS AND STRIPES and FIFTY STATE FLAGS that need replacing every year because they are flown around the clock. THIS WAY THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR PATRIOTIC MISSION TO REMEMBER OUR VETERANS FROM EVERY STATE AND IN EACH BRANCH OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN PEACE AND IN WAR.
https://newschannel9.com/this-n-that/recently-on-tnt/help-replace-the-flags-veterans-memorial-park
For three days … after 50 years!
MARCH 27, 28, 29, 2017 MON TUE WED
Saluting a Hero
KENNETH A. BURNHAM was laid to rest in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The Silver Star was awarded to PFC Kenneth A. Burnham, USA in 1968.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96345
GENERAL ORDERS 5 December 1968
NUMBER 12782
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
- TC 320. The following AWARD is announced.
BURNHAM, KENNETH A US56502296 ( - - ) PRIVATE FIRST CLASS United
States Army
Company B 2d Battalion 28th Infantry
Awarded: Silver Star
Date of Action: 13 October 1968
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military
operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force
in the Republic of Vietnam: On this Date, Private First
Class Burnham was serving as a medical aidman with his
company on a reconnaissance in force operation seven
kilometers south of Phuoc Vinh Base Camp. As the
friendly force proceeded through the dense jungle, it was
suddenly subjected to intense small arms, automatic
weapons, and claymore mine fire from enemy bunkers which
caused numerous casualties. With complete disregard for
his personal safety, Private First Class Burnham
maneuvered through the hail of hostile rounds to the
point of heaviest contact and began assisting the
injured. While treating one casualty, Private First
Class Burnham was wounded in the leg. Ignoring his
painful injury, he dragged his comrade to a more secure
location. When Private First Class Burnham was seriously
wounded again, he continued to brave the aggressor
barrage raking the area and administered first aid to the
casualties until contact was broken. His exemplary
courage, outstanding professionalism, and selfless
concern for his companions were instrumental in saving
many soldiers’ lives, and significantly contributed to
the successful outcome of the encounter. Private First
Class Burnham’s unquestionable valor in close combat
against numerically superior hostile forces is in
keeping with the finest traditions of the military
service and reflects great credit upon himself, the
1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Authority: By direction of the President, as established by the
Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, and USARV Message 16695,
dated 1 July 1966.
Enlarge KENNETH A. BURNHAM's Silver Star Citation for easier reading by pressing CTRL PLUS(+) on your keyboard. To return to normal size press CTRL ZERO(0).
. . . From our Post Archive, rediscovered by the Webmaster for proud display.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Dennis Smith, Commander of Desmond T. Doss American Legion Post 257, in explaining the Department of Veterans Affairs application process!
Apply for VA Health Benefits at http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/
Or apply for VA Health Benefits in person here:
Chattanooga Community Based Outpatient Clinic
(near Eastgate Mall)
VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC
150 Debra Rd Suite 5200 Bldg 6200
Chattanooga, TN 37411
Phone: 423-893-6500
Want to get all the service medals you're entitled to? Start by submitting the REQUEST PERTAINING TO MILITARY RECORDS:
Preview of REQUEST PERTAINING TO MILITARY RECORDS
Download this Form to request "All Ribbons and Medals Authorized to be worn" as introduced by Dennis Smith, 1st Vice Commander, American Legion Desmond T. Doss Post 257, on April 11, 2013.
standard-form-180.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [69.4 KB]
HOW TO FILL OUT THE FORM REQUEST PERTAINING TO MILITARY RECORDS:
Complete SECTION I - INFORMATION NEEDED TO LOCATE RECORDS. and mark Question 6 NO.
In SECTION II - INFORMATION AND/OR DOCUMENTS REQUESTED check the DD Form 214 or equivalent box and All Documents in Official Military Personnel File (OPMF) box. Under 2. Purpose: check boxes Personal and Other, explain: Write in All Ribbons and Medals Authorized to be worn.
In Section III - RETURN ADDRESS AND SIGNATURE under 1. REQUESTER IS: check box Military service member or veteran identified in Section I, above.
Fill out 2. SEND INFORMATION/DOCUMENTS TO: and 3. AUTHORIZATION SIGNATURE WHEN REQUIRED.
Mail completed Standard Form 180 to:
National Personnel Records Center
(Military Personnel Records)
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138-1002
Consult http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html for additional information.
OUR THANKS TO DESMOND T. DOSS AMERICAN LEGION POST 257 1ST VICE COMMANDER DENNIS SMITH FOR HIS GUIDANCE TO US!
Collegedale VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK:
View slides of the Collegedale, Tennessee VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK under the ABOUT US tab.
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