Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697
Ooltewah, Tennessee
FOR THE CAPTION HOVER YOUR MOUSE POINTER ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS BELOW AND CLICK TO ENLARGE THE PICTURE.
While visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on April 10, 2014, I unexpectedly received on behalf of all current and former Members of the American Armed Forces
this gracious Note from Ms. Sofia of her heartfelt appreciation for those "serving our country" in the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy. Thank you, Sofia, from all
of us who wear or have worn our Nation's military uniforms.
BELOW: Highlights from the 01 DEC 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
*http://ruthsfloristandgifts.com/ (423) 238-5994
BELOW: Highlights from the 10 NOV 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 13 OCT 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 08 SEP 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
*http://alz.org 24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900
BELOW: Highlights from the 11 AUG 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
*http://www.countrysidecafe.net/ 423-344-8646
**http://www.cancer.org/ 800-227-2345-2
BELOW: Highlights from the 14 JUL 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER Johhny Arp helping to hold up the handmade patriotic quilt presented by Donna Brewer (at lectern) to QUARTERMASTER William C. Merritt, Jr.
BELOW: Highlights from the 09 JUN 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 31 MAY 2016 dedication of the Purple Heart Mural on Wolftever Creek Greenway under Ooltewah-Ringgold Road in Collegedale, Tennessee.
Offices represented at the dedication of the Purple Heart Mural in Collegedale on 31 MAY 2016:
KEVIN B. WILSON, Municipal Court Judge, City of Collegedale, Tennessee;
MICHELLE HARSTINE, Field Representative U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District;
ALEX LOZA, Representational Artist, Portraitist, Muralist & Instructor, the Purple Heart Mural’s artist;
DEBBIE BAKER, Commissioner, City of Collegedale, Tennessee;
ETHAN WHITE, Commissioner, City of Collegedale, Tennessee;
ASHLEY BROOCKMAN, Miss East Tennessee at Miss America Organization;
KATIE A. LAMB, Mayor, City of Collegedale, Tennessee;
BO WATSON, Senator, Tennessee General Assembly for State District 11;
PHIL GARVER, Commissioner, City of Collegedale, Tennessee;
ROBERT BREWER, Commander, Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 1697;
ALEX LOZA, Representational Artist, Portraitist, Muralist & Instructor, the Purple Heart Mural’s artist;
LINDA SHRIVER-BUCKNER, Vice President, Communication, Ooltewah/Collegedale Council Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce;
JOHNNY ARP, Senior Vice Commander, Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 12 MAY 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
2016-17 Officers of the Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 1697:
COMMANDER: Robert Brewer SENIOR VICE COMMANDER: Johnny Arp JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER: Tom Imberger QUARTERMASTER: William C. Merritt, Jr. CHAPLAIN: James Durichek JUDGE ADVOCATE: Charles Whidden SURGEON: Don Hunt
1 YEAR TRUSTEE: Jack Blanco
2 YEAR TRUSTEE: DaveTurner
3 YEAR TRUSTEE: Phil Garver
ADJUTANT: Lewis L. Szerecz SERVICE OFFICER: Jack Rollins
Linked at http://vfw1697.org/about-us/executive-council/
BELOW: Continuing highlights from the 12 MAY 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
Veterans attending the FIFTEENTH ANNUAL INTERCLUB RALLY of the KIWANIS CLUB OF OOLTEWAH-COLLEGEDALE on May 11, 2016.
Veterans attending the FIFTEENTH ANNUAL INTERCLUB RALLY of the KIWANIS CLUB OF OOLTEWAH-COLLEGEDALE on May 11, 2016.
If you know, please email to info@vfw1697.org the names of the first and fourth Veterans (from the left) to complete the captioning of all Veterans in this photograph. Thank you.
BELOW: Highlights from the 14 APR 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
More on the World Record of 73-consecutive-days' CLASSROOM UNDER THE SEA at http://www.roanestate.edu/classroomunderthesea/
BELOW: Highlights from the 10 MAR 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
Attendees at the regular monthly meeting of Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 1697 in the Fuller Memorial Community Center inside Collegedale (Tennessee) City Hall. (Photograph: Lewis L. Szerecz.)
Front row, from left: Andi Erwin, James Irwin, Jack Blanco, Margaret Merritt, Clarence Merritt. Back row, from left: Charles Whidden, Jewel Whidden, Don Hunt, Katye Hunt, Nancy Thiel, Mitchell Thiel, Eve Arp, Johnny Arp, Bill Nutt, Mary Anne Turner, Dave Turner.
BELOW: Highlights from the 11 FEB 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 14 JAN 2016 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 17 DEC 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
VFW Christmas Program with The Ashton - Francisco Family
BELOW: Highlights from the 05 NOV 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
Above photographs courtesy of Dave Turner and Phil Garver.
BELOW: Highlights from the 08 OCT 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 10 SEP 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 13 AUG 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 09 JUL 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
MARTY MILLER’S MISSION
Marty Miller gave a slide presentation about his experience of climbing Mt. Rainier many times, with many groups, since the age
of 18. He used the climbing experience as a metaphor to how we all should face life. Whether on the battle field, on a glacier covered peak, or in our day to day life, facing obstacles
and challenges requires total commitment of an entire team and a good dose of God's wisdom... but the summit is worth the effort. He's leading another group up Rainier again in just a few
weeks!
Marty is a 30 year veteran, but not a veteran of foreign wars. He is a veteran mountain climber and veteran teacher! After a rich and rewardingcareer as a high school science teacher and
university outdoor leadership professor, Marty has embarked on a new venture, a non-profit men's ministry
organization called, Blueprint for Men. His organization seeks to help men discover and live out their God-given design and purpose in a secular world. Blueprint for Men
provides leadership, training, and support for individuals and large groups through adventure, retreats, mentoring, and addiction recovery. To discover more and get connected go to the
website www.blueprint4men.com.
Contributed Blurb
BELOW: Highlights from the 18 JUN 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
Attendees at the regular meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2015, of Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 in Fuller Memorial Community Center of Collegedale (Tennessee) City Hall. Photograph courtesy of Mark Smedley.
BELOW: Highlights from the 07 MAY 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 9 APR 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the joint effort of Ooltewah (Tennessee) Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697, the City of Collegedale (Tennessee) Parks & Recreation Department, and the local Community to replace all State flags at the Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park on 01 APR 2015.
BELOW: Highlights from the 19 MAR 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 12 FEB 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 08 JAN 2015 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 11 DEC 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
Greenbriar Cove Community Center on Tuckaway Lane in Collegedale, Tennessee, site of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 Christmas Program on 11 DEC 2014.
Links to participating organizations: http://thesamaritancenter.net/ http://www.hermanandsonnieharp.com/
BELOW: Highlights from the 13 NOV 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 09 OCT 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 11 SEP 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 14 AUG 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 10 JUL 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
2014-15 Officers of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 (from left): QUARTERMASTER William C. Merritt Jr., SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Bill Nutt, JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER Brad Hyden, SURGEON Donald W. Hunt, CHAPLAIN Jack Blanco, SENIOR CHAPLAIN James Durichek, POST COMMANDER Philip Garver, and SERVICE OFFICER Jack L. Rollins. Not in photograph: SENIOR VICE COMMANDER Johnny M. Arp, ADJUTANT Charles E. Whidden.
BELOW: Highlights from the 12 JUN 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
BELOW: Highlights from the 08 MAY 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
ABOVE: At the 10 APR 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697, from left, POST COMMANDER William C. Merritt Jr., guest presenter John Van Zyl, and TRUSTEE David C. Turner. (Photograph courtesy of SENIOR VICE COMMANDER Johnny M. Arp.)
BELOW: Highlights from the 13 MAR 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
*For more on Operation Whitecoat, see
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/weapon-operation-whitecoat/
BELOW: Participants from the City of Collegedale and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697 teamed up to replace worn State flags at the Collegedale, Tennessee, Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, February 21, 2014.
BELOW: Highlights from the 9 JAN 2014 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1697.
Can you pinch-hit for the Webmaster by administering this Website as his associate.
Let me know at info@vfw1697.org -
appreciate it!
Website last updated
05 JAN 2024.
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Visit the Veterans of Foreign Wars - Department of Tennessee at https://vfwtn.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp
is a Poem dedicated to All Surviving Spouses of Our Post . . . please scroll to the bottom of the page link.
Special Notice
regarding Hospice services for Veterans: please go to 09 JAN 2020 in
A new excerpt, Pages 86-87, was added to Raymond C. Brown's SERVICE STORY from his book Hey, Got Time for a War Story?
Please scroll down to the bottom of page
Announcing our
new Webmaster, Aidan Melton!
After eight years it's time a new generation takes over. In fact, sixty years separate him and me, but age--whether old or young--is no barrier to creativity and patriotism. Aidan, you have lots of boosters, some you know and more you don't, yet. Congratulations on your new assignment to oversee
--Lewis L. Szerecz
NEXT UP: 12 DEC 2019 for more from Wesley Crider.
Wesley Crider, the world-renowned guitar virtuoso, played Christmas favorites on December 14, 2017, for us.
View them
Our new Facebook admin is Bryan K. Hardy - welcome aboard!
Announcing our Facebook page
formerly administered by Assistant Webmaster Marc Baker in friendly rivalry with this Webpage and its Webmaster in parallel but compatible tracks! Thanks, Marc, for your outstanding effort. We all applaud and appreciate you.
Marc, you did a fine job for us; we're sorry you moved away and wish you well, Comrade. We can't thank you enough!
For more on REBOOT COMBAT RECOVERY and FIRSTLINE RESPONDERS Trauma Recovery see 14 FEB 2019 in News and Events from 2017 on
J. VERNON HEROD, the first commander of our VFW Post 1697, shares his Service Story about World War II here.
Our thanks to the Scenic City Chorus who sang in their signature barbershop quartet style for a concert on 08 MAR 2018. Hear and see them here in proudly featured five videos!
Amazing how the music keeps coming! AMBERHOPE VELBIS is a performer extraordinaire who sings her original songs and arrangements while accompanying herself on the keyboard. She graced our Post on 11 JAN 2018 sharing her inspiring skill.
See Alan Blankenship's photographs from Vietnam with the US Army's 5th Infantry Division 1/77 Armor Scouts during 1969 and 1970.
Announcing a new page on our Web site, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, featuring news and views of this unique Collegedale, Tennessee, landmark.
Link here to our national organization!
Special link to our fellow Veterans in the local American Legion: http://collegedale-americanlegion.org/
See OUR PROJECTS for highlights from the 2013 and 2016 Armed Forces Day Parades and 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Armed Forces Day Luncheons.
View the updates on our Site under NEWS & EVENTS FROM 2020 ON. Previous entries under NEWS & EVENTS 2017 TO 2020, NEWS & EVENTS 2014 TO 2016 and NEWS & EVENTS 2011 TO 2013 are tabbed at the top of each page.
City employees and Veterans teamed up to replace worn State flags in Collegedale (Tennessee) Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, 21 FEB 2014, Wednesday, 01 APR 2015, Friday, 07 APR 2017, and Friday, 14 JUN 2019.
Check out SERVICE STORIES from Veterans of our Post! COMRADES Raymond C. Brown, Bill Nutt, Noble B. Vining and J. Vernon Herod start us out, followed by as many as will consent to share their SERVICE STORIES to encourage new generations to serve and defend our Beloved Land.
Look back
to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
1697
PHOTO ALBUM
SPECIAL EVENT: Flag Retirement Ceremony was conducted by Ooltewah, Tennessee Boy Scouts of America Troop 147 at Collegedale VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK on Saturday, 03 DEC 2011.
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