VFW post in Ooltewah renamed to honor fallen soldier Travis F. Haslip
PFC Travis F. Haslip / Veterans of Foreign Wars
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1697 in Ooltewah held a special ceremony to honor U.S. Army Private First Class Travis F. Haslip.
The ceremony was held on June 12, 2025, and is now officially named VFW PFC Travis F. Haslip Memorial Post 1697.
VFW said National VFW leaders approved the request on April 29,2025.
Nearly 150 people attended the event, including family, friends, elected officials, and veterans.
Haslip was killed on May 19, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq, by a roadside bomb during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was 20 years old and served with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Cavazos, Texas.
Haslip had lived in Ooltewah since 1990, attending Ooltewah High School, Collegedale Academy, and Chattanooga State.
He was a member of Ooltewah Seventh Day Adventist Church, and is buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Haslip received several awards, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Colonel (Retired) Chip Daniels spoke about his impact, saying Haslip’s unit helped “turn the tide” in Baghdad just 10 days after his death.
Representative Greg Vital and Senator Todd Gardenhire presented Haslip’s family with a state proclamation honoring his sacrifice.
