It is the end of June already, where does the time go?
The coming week will bring the Fourth of July with all of the trimmings. This is the holiday when every American celebrates independence from England gained through revolution. Good, bad or otherwise, the country has survived and will continue to survive for years to come.
In my opinion, the country has survived because we all have a voice in what happens to us.
We voice that opinion by voting for our leaders. If we do not like the way things are going, we can vote them out of office. Voting may seem like a small thing to many, but in the grand plan it is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
This may seem just a little premature since elections are in November, but a gentle reminder to register to vote and exercise the American right to be heard can never come too early.
The politicians will be asking for that vote, so why not give them what they ask for? Independence always comes with responsibility.

Poppy sale a success
Palmer-Roberts American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214 of Willoughby hosted Poppy Days on four Saturdays in May at the Willoughby Farmers Market.
The Auxiliary Unit table was set with poppies, membership applications and other American Legion Auxiliary brochures and patriotic wrapped candy. On the first Saturday, Willoughby Mayor David Anderson stopped by, donated to the fund and got poppies for his staff to wear in the Memorial Day parade.
The unit had a very profitable month at the market, and the money raised will help veterans. Poppy funds can only be used to assist veterans, with much of the money helping to support the Veterans Affairs hospitals, as well as hospitalized and homeless veterans.

Geauga Honor Guard always available
Geauga County residents have an honor guard available to perform full military funeral services for any service man or woman.
The Honor Guard, led by Sgt. at Arms Newell Beaumier, is available with a few days notice, and most local funeral directors are aware of the group’s existence. For information or details, call Bo at 440-834-8764. Please leave a message if there’s no answer.

Texas Hold’em to benefit Young Marines Trip
A Texas Hold’em Benefit begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Jefferson Eagles, 133 S. Spruce St. in Jefferson.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the tournament begins at 6. There will be a $55 buy-in and a 75 percent payout. Hot dogs and chips will be provided pre-games and post-games. The Eagles Club bar will be open to tournament players.
All proceeds will benefit the Ashtabula County Young Marines’ trip to Washington, D.C. For details, call Doc Lee at 440-275-1079.

Auxiliary hosts Chinese Auction
A Chinese auction sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 7 at the post home. Doors will open at 11 a.m. For details, call 440-285-3699.

Airplanes gather again at Lost Nation
The United States Aviation Museum will sponsor Gathering of Eagles XVI July 14 and 15 at Willoughby Lost Nation Airport. Get close to the machines that protected our freedom and talk with some of the pilots and crew who flew them.
The event is $12 for adults; $6 for children ages 4 through 12 and children younger than 4 will be admitted free. For details, call 440-759-4148 or visit www.usam.us.

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

Since so many people have asked me about Marine Week, I thought I would say this once and put all the questions to rest.
No, I did not attend Marine Week. My schedule did not allow me enough time to visit the event. Besides, every week is Marine week at my house.
I say this because my husband, stepson, two brothers, a niece, a nephew and two uncles all served in the Marine Corps at one time or another. I am proud of all of them and my home reflects that Marine Corps pride.
I understand that it was a great week and that the Marines did a super job. (Would we or should we expect less?)
I watched many of the aircraft fly over my house as they made the turn back to Cleveland. The Osprey was an interesting sight — such an odd-looking aircraft. It would frighten me empty, but full of Marines it is intimidating.
I have been accused of cutting down a large maple tree to get an unobstructed view of the airplanes overhead from the picnic table in my yard. This is false — I admit it allows for better views of the aircraft, but it was not the reason we had it removed.
Maybe the next time the Marines land in Cleveland, I will be able to attend.
Gathering of Eagles
The Gathering of Eagles air show will return to Willoughby Lost Nation Airport July 14-15.
The annual show is a weekend event that will allow those attending to get up close and personal with the aircraft and the pilots who fly them. This year, the show also will feature men and women veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam who will be available to answer questions and talk about their time in combat.
Rides will be available on some of the aircraft for an additional fee. Tickets for the show are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 4 through 12 years; children younger than age 4 will be admitted free.
Please remember that the appearance of aircraft will be contingent upon weather, mechanical conditions and crew availability. The aircraft are crewed and maintained by volunteers.
Geauga County Rotary Ride June 24
The 7th Annual Rotary Ride Motorcycle Run to benefit Geauga County veterans will start at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Sponsored by the Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club, the ride will leave from Harrington Square, between McDonald’s and Walmart) 15561 Kinsman Road (Route 87 east of Route 44) in Middlefield.
Enjoy 50 to 60 miles in beautiful Geauga County escorted by Sheriff Dan McClelland and his deputies.
The run will be rain or shine
“Rain or shine, because the veterans didn’t stay home when it rained,” McClelland said.
There is a $25 registration, passengers are free.
A 50/50 raffle (winner must be present to win) and lunch at the end of the ride, compliments of sponsor Dave Harrington, are part of the fun. Registration will be 8 to 10 a.m. Register and pay online; all those registering in advance receive a free gift. For registration and information, visit www.bmrmotorcyclerun.com
Mentor American Legion Golf outing June 30
Mentor Post 352 American Legion Post 352, Ninth District, will host its annual golf outing at Black Brook Golf Course, 8900 Lake Shore Drive in Mentor. All proceeds will benefit the Mentor American Legion’s Lake Erie Scholarship for veterans and other student and youth activities in the community. For details, call Bob Zonneville at 440-257-6448.
Texas Hold’em tournament to benefit Young Marines
The Ashtabula County Young Marines will host a Texas Hold’em tournament beginning at 5 p.m. June 30 at the Jefferson Eagles, 133 S. Spruce St. in Jefferson.
There is a $55 buy-in and a 75 percent payout. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for pre-games and the tournament will begin at 6. Hot dogs and chips will be provided pre-games and post-game. The Eagles Club bar will be open to tournament players. For details, call 440-319-9351. All proceeds will benefit the Ashtabula County Young Marines.
AMVETS food for a Friday night
AMVETS Post 109, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, is serving steak dinners 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. Dinners are $10. Not enough appetite for a dinner? Try one of the post’s burgers. For details, call 440-257-9217.
VFW Auxiliary to host Chinese auction
The Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 7. The event will be held at the post, located across from Sage’s Apples. For details, call the post at 440-285-2699.
To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

New members are wanted for the Forty and Eight of Lake County.

The organization is named for the small boxcars used in France during World War I to transport men and horses to the front. The cars were large enough to carry 40 men or eight horses. The narrow-gauge railroad cars carried about half of what American rail cars could carry.

The organization concentrates on projects such as child welfare programs, youth sports, Americanism and nurses training.

Once a part of the American Legion, the 40/8 is now an independent organization and accepting members who are honorably discharged veterans. The group has lost members through attrition and relocation. If you are an honorably discharged veteran who would like to be involved in charitable activities, call Joe Milmont at 440-275-1249; Amos Bartrug at 440-812-3396 or Bill Smith at 440-585-9682 for information. 

Blue Star program

The Lake County History Center Museum and Village is one of 1,300 Blue Star Museums that can be found around the country. A Blue Star Museum offers free admission to museums for all active-duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Free admission is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card. Only active duty military and up to five immediate family members (spouse or child) with these cards can be admitted free.

For details, visit Bluestarmuseums.gov or call Karen Sawitke at 440-639-2945. 

Marine Week Cleveland

The United States Marine Corps has partnered with the city of Cleveland to bring Marine Week to Cleveland.

Marine Week, which runs through Sunday, is a celebration of community, country and Corps, and provides the unique experience to directly connect the American public and the Marines.

Free and open to the public, all Marine Week events will honor and recognize Marines, including those from Northeast Ohio, for their service and sacrifice. For additional Marine Week information visit www.Marines.mil/MarineWeek.

Chardon Post hosts Annual Dice Run

Chardon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host the Sixth Annual Dice Run, with the first bike out at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 a bike and $5 per passenger. There will be four stops and food provided; maps will be available at sign in. for details call 440-285-3699. 

Legion Riders to host flea market

American Legion Riders Madison Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a flea market from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the post. Setup is at 8 a.m. and tear down at 5 p.m. Clean out the attic, garage, and basement. Cost for one table is $10 or two tables for $15. Meals will be available for purchase.

For table space, call Bernie at 440-463-8701 or Tom at 440-724-6871. Proceeds will benefit local veterans in need. 

Men’s Auxiliary hosts breakfast

The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW 8548, 7604 Lake Road E. in Madison Township, will host a sausage gravy and biscuit breakfast 5 a.m. to noon Sunday. The breakfast will benefit the Men’s Auxiliary and will be $5 for adults and $3.50 for children. For details, call the post at 440-428-3050.

Legion golf outing aids scholarships

Mentor American Legion Post 352 will host a golf outing June 30 at Black Brook Golf Course in Mentor. The post is looking for sponsors. Sponsorship supports the Lake Erie Scholarship for Veterans and other student and youth activities. The sponsorship also promotes businesses. Hole sponsorships are $100.

For details about sponsorship opportunities, call Bob Zonneville at 440-257-6448 or Doug Koman at 440-257-9077. 

Texas Hold’em event

The Ashtabula County Young Marines will host a Texas Hold’em at the Jefferson Eagles, 133 S. Spruce St. in Jefferson, at 6 p.m. June 30.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. The cost is a $55 buy-in and a 75 percent payout. Hot dogs and chips will be provided before and after the games. Come out and play to support the Ashtabula County Young Marines. For more information, visit www.acyoungmarines.com

Picnic table raffle for Wounded Warriors

Men from Middlefield and Middlefield United Methodist Church have come together to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. The men have built a patriotic-themed picnic table that will be raffled off during this year’s Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks at the Geauga County Fairgrounds.

For details, call 440-632-0480. 

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

Beginning Monday, the Marines will be landing in Cleveland. The weeklong celebration will bring the city of Cleveland and the United States Marine Corps together as partners to celebrate community, country and Corps.
During Marine Week, special events will be hosted all over the city. Equipment displays will feature the newest state-of-the-art aircraft, weaponry and vehicles, and the Vietnam Wall Replica will be on display at Voinovich Park.
Programs featuring Marine training such as the working dog team, a simulated firing range, Marine Martial Arts program, and a flag football game between the Marines and Cleveland Police, Fire and EMS all will be part of the weeklong event.
For a schedule of events and locations visit Marines.mil/Marine Week; on Twitter @USMC (#MarineWeek) and at Facebook.com/Marines
Benefit dinner at Leroy VFW
A benefit dinner will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Leroy-Thompson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 12827 Painesville-Warren Road in Leroy Township. Tickets are $10 each for the barbecue pulled pork sandwich dinner.
The dinner will benefit Aubri Henderson, who was born 151⁄2 weeks premature. Her twin did not survive.
Aubri is in Cleveland Clinic and doctors expect her to be there at least until August. The post also will host a Chinese auction today during the dinner. All proceeds will benefit Aubri’s medical expenses.
Garage Sale to benefit
Color Guard
American Legion Post 336, at 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a garage sale today through Sunday at the post home. Table space is $7 per day and proceeds from the sale will benefit the Color Guard. For details or rental space, call 440-357-7711.
 
Poker run to benefit
Boulevard of Flags
The Boulevard of Flags committee is hosting a Poker Run beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, with sign up at the Boulevard of Flags.
All are welcome. Come on a motorcycle, in a car, on a bicycle or just about anything else to participate in the run.
The stops will include veterans posts in Painesville, Madison, Chardon and Eastlake, before ending at American Legion Post 678 in Willowick. Registration is $10 per person. For details, call 440-796-5047 or via email at 500flags@gmail.com.
Field of Honor display this week
Greenlawn Memory Gardens will host the Third Annual Field of Honor flag display Saturday through Thursday on Center Street in North Kingsville.
Sponsorships are available for the Field of Honor.
Each sponsored flag will be identified with a tag carrying the name, picture and brief information about the person honored. At the end of the display, the flags may be claimed by the sponsors to be displayed in the community as a token of this year’s event.
Flags are available for sponsorship at $25 each and can be shipped for an extra $10. The sponsorships not only defray the cost of the event, but also raise money for local veterans groups.
Those who would like to volunteer at the event should call Dean Luce at 440-224-0765.
Faithful Companions host Marines
Faithful Companions, 7165-B Hart St. in Mentor ,will host members of the Marine Corps sharing their stories at a luncheon during Marine Week Cleveland. The luncheon will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. For reservations, call 440-796-3590. Representatives from the Veteran Services office also will be on hand to answer questions.
Legion Riders host flea market
American Legion Riders of Madison Post 112, at 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a flea market June 16 at the post home.
Setup begins at 8 a.m. and tear down will be at 5 p.m. Table space is available for $10 per table or two for $15.
Table reservations are available by calling 440-463-8701 or 440-724-6871.
A pancake breakfast will be available for $5 and hamburgers and hot dogs will be sold for lunch. All are welcome.
Gunny’s Hall offers
steak or rib dinner
Col. J.M. Chambers Foundation “Gunny’s Hall,” 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a steak or rib dinner June 16, at the hall.
The dinner will be by reservation only and tickets are available at the hall.
Donation is $15 per dinner. For details, call 440-974-9380.

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.