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There will be a Veterans Day ceremony
at Founders Hall at The Commons
on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 3:00 PM.
The Collegedale Commons is on Swinyar Drive in Collegedale, Tennessee, next to City Hall.
https://www.collegedaletn.gov/news_detail_T8_R57.php
While not sponsored by our Post this year,
Veterans Day is a perennial highlight in our Community to which All are invited.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY MASK MANDATE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC:
VFW POST 1697
REGULAR MEETINGS
ARE SUSPENDED
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
DURING THE COVID-19
EMERGENCY:
PLEASE CHECK THE SCHEDULE BELOW FOR UPDATES.
FOR THE CAPTION HOVER YOUR MOUSE POINTER ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS BELOW AND CLICK TO ENLARGE THE PICTURE.
Remembering Chattanooga’s Fallen Five
2019 Donations to the Community
from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
EVERYONE IS CORDIALLY INVITED to all regular meetings that are held monthly on the second Thursday at 6:30 PM in Fuller Memorial Community Center of Collegedale, Tennessee, City Hall.
SEE YOU SOON!
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All regular meetings of Post 1697 are suspended until further notice (on account of the Coronavirus pandemic).
Action taken on 09 JUL 2020 in Business Meeting of Post officers.
Please refer to this schedule for ongoing updates. . .
NEXT MEETING:
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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 (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!
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
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96345
GENERAL ORDERS 5 December 1968
NUMBER 12782
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
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.
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
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!
View slides of the Collegedale, Tennessee VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK under the ABOUT US tab.