Website last updated 

11 MAY 2022.

Contact Us

 IN MEMORIAM:

Charles Whidden

MORE THAN MEMORIES

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 

news-events-from-2020-on/

A new excerpt, Pages 86-87, was added to Raymond C. Browns's SERVICE STORY from his book Hey, Got Time for a War Story? 

Please scroll down to the bottom of page

           vfw1697.org/service-stories/ 

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

www. vfw1697.org/

--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

here and now!

Announcing our Facebook page  

facebook.com/vfw1697/

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.

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.

View the VIDEO from the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War!

See the Purple Heart Mural dedicated

on 31 MAY 2016

in Collegedale, Tennessee!

Read a young Patriot’s Tribute to Our Military here.

122ND VFW NATIONAL CONVENTION IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 31 JUL - 3 AUG, 2021       

ARCHIVED

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.

Don’t miss MARTY MILLER’S MISSION! Also look under NEWS & EVENTS FROM 2014 ON for 09 JUL 2015.

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.

Website last updated 

11 MAY 2022.