VFW Post renamed for Cooper Holt

VFW Post 1289 on Lee Highway, the oldest VFW Post in Tennessee, was recently renamed the Cooper T. Holt Post 1289.

The late Mr. Holt, an Army veteran of World War II, was a member of the VFW post. Mr. Holt, a past VFW National Commander, passed away on May 1, 2009.

Mr. Holt was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1956. At 32, he was the youngest Commander-in-Chief in the history of the organization.

He joined VFW Post 1289 in 1945 after having been a member-at-large for a year. He served as Post Adjutant, Senior Vice Commander and Post Commander. He went on to become Third District commander, Department Junior Vice, and Senior Vice and Department Commander. In 1954, he was elected National Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief; and in 1955, National Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief.

After serving as Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Holt was appointed executive director of the VFW Washington Office in August 1963, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1989.

Upcoming Events