Collegedale/Ooltewah VFW Post 1697

10/27/2026

Join us as we support our local Desmond T. Ross American Legion Post 257, Ooltewah High School Army JROTC, and our Veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day and unveil the newest memorial star to represent the United States Space Force.

10/27/2026

10/26/2026

Not a broncos fan, but Dept. of Colorado has a point!

Since it’s Sunday and the Broncos are on half time, you probably grabbed for your phone

🏈 IF THE VFW WERE A FOOTBALL TEAM…

Ever tried explaining what VFW officers do? Grab a football and pull up a chair. 😂

📋 Commander — Head Coach: Keeps everyone focused, calls the game plan, and tries to keep the meeting from going into overtime.

🎯 Senior Vice — Offensive Coordinator: Turns goals into plays that move the Post forward.

⚡ Junior Vice — Special Teams Coordinator: Builds momentum through recruiting, outreach, and getting people off the sidelines.

🏈 Quartermaster — Quarterback: Keeps the financial game moving. Knows an incomplete receipt can ruin a perfectly good play.

💨 Adjutant — Halfback: Takes the handoff and runs with it—minutes, notices, correspondence, and whatever just became “one more thing.”

🛡️ Judge Advocate — Defensive Coordinator: Knows the rulebook. “We’ve always done it that way” won’t get that penalty overturned.

👀 Trustees — Defensive Backs: Watch the financial field, catch discrepancies, and make sure nothing slips past the audit.

💪 Benefits Advisor — Tight End: Blocks obstacles and gives veterans a dependable person to turn to for benefits assistance.

🇺🇸 Officer of the Day / Chief of Staff — Kicker: Helps kick off the meeting and close it properly with a salute to the flag.

🙏 Chaplain — Fullback: Not called on every play, but when you need them, you’re sure glad they’re there.

🩺 Surgeon — Team Doctor: Promotes wellness and connects comrades with health resources—because we want everyone ready for the next game!

🙌 Members — Lines and Receivers: Make the blocks, make the stops, and catch the passes. Without you, the playbook is just paper.

Our scoreboard? Veterans helped. Families supported. Communities strengthened.

Every position matters. Suit up and get involved! 🇺🇸

10/14/2026

🚨REMINDER‼️

The October 31 deadline to apply for the ’s Voice of Democracy (grades 9–12) program or Patriot’s Pen (grades 6–8) essay competition is fast approaching!🎙️✍️

Patriot’s Pen National First Place Prize: $5,000

Voice of Democracy National First Place Prize: $35,000 Scholarship

2026–2027 Theme: “What a Taught Me About .”

📑 Find a Post near you, rules, eligibility, and forms here: tr.ee/1BHeuV

📇 Contact your local Post for submission details and guidance on submitting through the Scholars App.

10/09/2026

Thursday, October 8, 2026

PFC Travis F. Haslip Memorial Post 1697 October Community Dinner

Tonight we held our monthly community dinner with our annual Charter Anniversary (October 13, 1994) celebration and hosted a Meet & Greet of the current City of Collegedale - Government Commissioners and the Candidates running in the general election this November.

We also got to celebrate the birthday 🎉 of our Post’s Auxiliary Chaplain, H. Hanson, with her.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made this month’s dinner another to remember. If you weren’t able to make it, we will love to see you at our November Community Dinner on 11/5/26 at 6:30 PM.

10/07/2026

In the wake of 9/11, Operation Enduring Freedom turned resolve into action, launching military operations against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan. It marked the beginning of what would become the longest war in U.S. history, one that would profoundly shape U.S. military operations, foreign policy, national security strategy, and a generation of those who served.

Today, we pause to honor the service members who answered the call, the veterans who carry those experiences, those who never made it home, and the families who stood by them through deployments, homecomings, and sacrifice. 🇺🇸

🤝 OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN.
📍vfw.org/find-a-post

10/07/2026

Today marks 25 years since the Afghanistan War began. Let us pause to remember the courage of all who bravely served and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

10/06/2026

Come on out and hang with us at the National Night Out in Collegedale at The Commons. We will be here until 7:00PM.

10/05/2026

The 2026 “VFW Help a Hero” scholarship fundraising is now in full swing. Take the time to go out and visit you local Sport Clips Haircuts, or our favorite - Sport Clips Haircuts of Ooltewah and get those ears lowered and ready for in-ranks inspection, date night, or just to feel good. While there, Be a Hero and Help a Hero by donating $1,2,5,10 or whatever you can afford.

Let’s help or local store reach their goal of $1000 and nationally raise $1.5 Million. The campaign ends on 11/15/2026.

All Veterans are eligible to receive a free haircut on Veterans Day!!

Come on out and see us, we will be here until closing to answer any questions or just have conversation.

For more information visit:

https://sportclips.com/promotions-partnerships/help-a-hero/help-a-hero

https://www.vfw.org/assistance/student-veterans-support

https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2026/10/sport-clips-haircuts-invites-clients-to-support-veterans-futures

09/29/2026