Family of PFC Travis F. Haslip
New Charter Unveiling - (L-R) Post 1697 Commander Bryan Hardy, Stepfather of PFC Haslip, Dr. Denis McDonald, and sister of PFC Haslip, Rachel Kimball
State of Tennessee Proclamation
Program cover
PFC Travis F. Haslip
Veterans of Foreign Wars Ooltewah Post 1697 held a renaming and dedication ceremony on Thursday evening to honor a local fallen hero, U.S. Army Private First Class Travis F. Haslip. Originally chartered on Oct. 13, 1994, as Veterans of Foreign Wars Ooltewah Post 1697, VFW Post 1697 was renamed and dedicated as Veterans of Foreign Wars PFC Travis F. Haslip Memorial Post 1697.
Members of VFW Post 1697 began the official renaming process on Feb. 20, to rename their post in honor of U.S. Army Private First Class Travis F. Haslip, who was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. VFW Post 1697 leadership was informed on April 29, 2025 of the official approval from the VFW Commander-in-Chief to rename the Post.
PFC Haslip, 20, was killed by a roadside improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq on May 19, 2007 while assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas. A native of Pontiac, Mi., Travis had been a resident of Ooltewah since 1990. He attended Ooltewah High School, Collegedale Academy and Chattanooga State. He attended Ooltewah Seventh Day Adventist Church. PFC Haslip is buried in Chattanooga National Cemetery in Sec BB Site 441-C. PFC Haslip was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Marksmanship Badge, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Nearly 150 family, friends, elected officials, community members, and members of Post 1697 were in attendance for this historic event. Special guests included Colonel (Retired) Chip Daniels, who was the 1-5 Cavalry “Black Knights” Battalion S3 Operations Officer during this deployment. COL(R) Daniels traveled all the way from Washington, D.C. to attend the event and share comments about the impact of PFC Haslip’s sacrifice and the outcome it had in turning the tide of fighting Al Qaeda in Baghdad with support of the local populace just 10 days later.
A special presentation was made to the family of PFC Haslip by Representative Greg Vital, TN District 29, and Senator Todd Gardenhire, TN District 10. Rep. Vital and Senator Gardenhire presented a signed State of Tennessee Proclamation issued on May 20, during the 114th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee recognizing the memory, service, and sacrifice of PFC Haslip.
Lewis Szerecz, U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran (1967) and Past Commander of VFW Post 1697, said, “I have never been happier as a self-proclaimed “shameless paparazzi” than after viewing all my photos from the renaming celebration of our Post in honor of PFC Travis F. Haslip on our Facebook page! So much was gained and so much could have been lost without this photographic witness of an extraordinary event. The PFC Travis F. Haslip family deserves all the appreciation in memory of his service and ultimate sacrifice on our behalf and veterans of the United States of America!”
Officials said, "On behalf of Veterans of Foreign Wars PFC Travis F. Haslip Memorial Post 1697, THANK YOU to all who attended this ceremony and to the Family of PFC Travis F. Haslip, our members and our post are eternally grateful for his sacrifice and welcome you to our family!"