Veterans Day weekend is upon us and the department stores are offering sales and discounts. A word of advice to those veterans who are out and about: Ask the merchant or restaurant you patronize if they offer a veterans discount.
Many establishments offer discounts and even free meals to veterans with proof of service.
Retailers offer discounts on everything from cell phones to haircuts and clothing to building supplies. If you served and have proof of service, just ask and you may be pleasantly surprised to find that the final total has been discounted in thanks for your service.
 
Happy Birthday Marines
A happy 237th birthday to the United States Marine Corps, which was founded on Nov. 10, 1775, in Philadelphia at the Tun Tavern. The Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League will host an open house beginning at noon Saturday at “Gunny’s Hall,” 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor. For details, call 440-974-9380.
 
Library offers military book sale
Madison Public Library will offer a military-theme book sale from Nov. 1 through 14 at the library, 6111 Middle Ridge Road in Madison. The sale will be open during regular library hours and all of the books have a military theme. All proceeds of the sale will benefit the Friends of Madison Public Library. For details, call 440-428-2189.
 
Operation Christmas Stockings for Soldiers
DeJohn Funeral Home and Crematory is sponsoring the fourth annual “Operation Christmas Stockings for Soldiers” through Nov. 28. The community may visit DeJohn funeral homes and pick up a free Christmas stocking to take home, decorate and stuff with Christmas cheer. Stuffed stockings returned to the funeral home by Nov. 28 will be shipped to the troops abroad in time for Christmas.
Stockings and a list of suggested items for stuffing and shipping overseas will be provided by the funeral home. Anyone wishing to participate may stop at 4600 Mayfield Road in South Euclid or 126 South St. in Chardon between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Nov. 28. For details, call 440-516-5555.
 
Aviation book sale and pancake breakfast
The International Women’s Air and Space Museum’s annual book sale and pancake breakfast will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 North Marginal Road in Cleveland. The books and aviation items will be for sale and the pancake breakfast will be $5 per person. For details, call 216-623-1111 or visit www.iwasm.org.
 
Radio show offers look at First Armistice Day
The “LEGACIES” radio show on WELW-AM 1330 will broadcast a special interview at 9:30 a.m. Sunday to commemorate the First Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918. The interview is with Marine Arthur Keller and includes his memories of the final day of the war. The interview was done by his daughter, Joyce Keller, in 1974 when her father was 75 years old.
 
Military care package collection at NDCL
Notre Dame Cathedral Latin’s Christian Leadership class is sponsoring a military care package drive through the Adopt-A-Platoon program. AAP provides an opportunity for Americans to reach out and touch an American service member’s heart.
NDCL’s goal is to raise funds and supply care packages to send to a platoon of 75 soldiers (65 men and 10 women). All items may be dropped off in the school office or Room 207. For more information, call NDCL theology teacher Douglas Murray at 440-286-6226.
 
Volunteers to help with Boulevard of Flags
Volunteers are needed to help take down the flags at the Boulevard of 500 Flags, 35150 Lake Shore Blvd. in Eastlake at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 17. If you would like to help, please report to the back parking lot between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Bring a pair of work gloves and help get the boulevard ready for winter. For details, call Joe Strand at 440-942-9344.
 
Painesville VFW serves breakfast
The Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595 will host a breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 18 at the post home, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville. For details, call 440-354-9090.

Breakfast with Santa
The Burton American Legion Post 459 Auxiliary will host Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25 at the post home, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children ages 5 and younger.
The Ladies Auxiliary will present the 12th Annual Santa’s Collection Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 24 at the post. Unique gifts, crafts and toys will be for sale. For table information, call Carol at 440-834-4532. All proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.
 
Fairport Post serves fish fry meals
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will offer a perch fry from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch and 4 to 7 p.m. for dinner. The dinners are served on the second and fourth Fridays of the month and are open to the public. For details, call 440-352-1123.
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