Blogs > At Ease with Larece Galer

Larece Galer brings you the latest military news. 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.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Thank you for helping, whether you knew it or not, and Happy New Year

The new year is fast approaching, and I would like to take this time to thank those of you who read this corner of The News-Herald each week.
Many folks do not understand that the events in this column help fund many different post projects.
Projects such as treat nights at the veterans hospitals, supporting Little League teams, filling holiday baskets, adopting families for the holidays and providing gifts and food, or providing warm clothing and blankets for veterans who do not have a home.
These events and projects are all handled by veterans who are continuing to serve the community out of uniform.
So I would like to say thank you for sending in the post events that help support the post projects. By participating in the various events throughout the year, you may have helped in a way you are not even aware of. Happy New Year.

Post meeting times wanted
Please remember to send the meeting days and times for the groups at your post home. A list will appear online at www.News-Herald.com and anyone wishing to be included should send meeting information to me. Do not miss this chance to let current members and possible members know about your post.

Legion serves
pancake breakfast

American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the post home. For details, call 440-343-1478.
Chicken and dumplings dinner at Burton Post
Geauga County Council of the American Legion will host a chicken and dumplings dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For details, call 440-834-1191.

DAV meets in Mentor
Lake County Chapter 42 of the Disabled American Veterans meets the second Saturday of each month at the Marine Corps League Gunny’s Hall 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor. Meetings begin at 11 a.m. and are usually about an hour long. All disabled American veterans are welcome.

Headlands post serves spaghetti dinner
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor will host a homemade spaghetti dinner every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the post home. The dinner is open to the public and all are welcome. The dinner is served with all the trimmings. For details, call 440-257-5825.

Warm clothes wanted
Perry Ladies Auxiliary to AMVETS Post 1971, 4129 Main St. in Perry, will be collecting gently worn warm clothes and blankets for homeless veterans. Donations for the purchase of items also are gratefully accepted. The project will continue throughout the winter months. Items may be dropped off at the AMVETS post home during business hours. For business hours, call 440-259-5131 or for details call 440-259-4242.

Gunny’s Hall hosts
weekly breakfast

The Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League serves breakfast every Sunday between 9 a.m. and noon. The buffet is $7.50 and includes scrambled eggs, bacon, ham and sausage, potatoes, French toast, pancakes, biscuits with sausage gravy, toast, coffee and juice.
The public is welcome. 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.

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Friday, December 21, 2012

Nobody should freeze to death in America

“Nobody should freeze to death in America” — a simple statement that began as an idea between a few friends on a cold evening. Sub Zero Mission was born out of that conversation and a spontaneous act of kindness made it a reality.
On an exceptionally cold night, Al Raddatz and some friends were at Leroy-Thompson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7939. The conversation began about what the next community project might be.
Someone mentioned seeing a number of homeless people in the area and that sparked the idea of passing out coats, blankets, hats and gloves to those who had no warm place to stay. The friends went home, gathered up what warm items they could find and Sub Zero Mission was born.
“We are out there to help anyone in need,” Raddatz said. “We also know that statistics show that as many as 23 percent of America’s homeless are veterans.”
Raddatz went on to point out that Sub Zero Mission fills a void and allows the team members to steer veterans in need to programs that may help them — perhaps programs that veterans weren’t aware of.
The Sub Zero team members receive no compensation and try to deliver a minimum of twice per week when the weather grows colder. They try to reach the homeless where they live. If you see someone who is out in the cold, let the Sub Zero Mission team know. Call the mobile phone to leave a voice or text message at 440-357-5094, post on the team Facebook Page or use the Contact Us portion of the website at subzeromission.org or via email at Sub0Mission@aol.com .
The effort to reach those in need will be based on the timeliness of the message, scheduled runs, the weather and the safety of the team.
The most needed items are men’s gloves, coats and hats. For details on donation locations or to donate via PayPal, visit the website.
Toys for Tots still collecting
Four more days until Christmas — have you donated to Toys for Tots this year? The economy in general is poor and the need is greater in times like these than at any other time. While doing last-minute shopping, please donate to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots and give a child Christmas.
Employer Support recognized
Has your employer been supportive during your National Guard or armed forces Reserve duty? Do you feel that they have gone above and beyond in their support of your efforts?
Then nominate them for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is the Department of Defense’s highest honor for civilian employers supporting Guard and Reserve members. Nominations can be made at www.FreedomAward.mil. and must be received by Jan. 21.
The recipients will be announced in early summer and honored in Washington, D.C., during the ceremony next fall. Breakfast is served
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the post home. For details, call 440-343-1478.
County Council hosts dinner
Geauga County Council of the American Legion will host a chicken and dumplings dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For details, call 440-834-1191.
Warm clothes collection
at Perry AMVETS
The Perry Ladies Auxiliary to AMVETS Post 1971, 4129 Main St. in Perry, is collecting gently worn or new warm clothes and blankets for homeless veterans. The group will accept money and make the purchase, if donors desire. Items may be dropped off at the AMVETS post homes during business hours.
For business hours, call 440-259-5131 or for details call 440-259-4242.

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.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Palmer-Roberts American Legion Auxiliary Unity 214 honors Korean War Veterans





Veterans Honored
First Row: Joe Palmison, Brian Erdelac, Darl Luther, Lester Ream, Ken Codney
Second Row: Commander John O’Brien, Henry Fratino, Richard Foxen, Dave Setlock, Ray Stopar, Norm Ricket
Absent from the photo were Jack Johnson and Jack McCoy




 Veterans Dinner honors Korean War Veterans
Palmer-Roberts American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214 hosted the second Annual Veterans Dinner Friday, Nov. 9, at the post home. One Hundred ten veterans and their guests attended and enjoyed a ham dinner. 

The guest speaker for the event was Commander John O’Brien, USN who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1988 and entered Naval Aviation Flight Training, receiving his Wings in 1990. He completed two deployments aboard the USS America and flew 32 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. He is currently assigned at the Navy Liaison to the Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War commemoration Committee.

Fourteen Korean War veterans attended the dinner and Cmdr. O’Brien personally presented them with their certificates.

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Remembering Pearl Harbor

The American uniformed personnel stationed in Oahu, Hawaii, 71 years ago today were awakened from their Sunday slumber with an unprovoked attack at 7:48 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (12:48 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).
The island paradise became the target of Japanese dive bombers that sank battleships at their moorings in Pearl Harbor and destroyed aircraft sitting on the ground at Hickam Field. The attack would leave Americans in shock. Fighting back became a national obsession and “Remember Pearl Harbor” the country’s war cry.
The National Park Service estimates that of the 84,000 uniformed Americans stationed at Pearl Harbor in 1941, only 8,000 are still alive.
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association was disbanded Dec. 31, 2011, because of an aging membership of less than 2,700 members nationwide.
The Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors carry on the message for the elders by remembering the unprovoked attack. Today we “Remember Pearl Harbor.”

Pearl Harbor Day ceremonies
Geauga

A Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. today at the Burton Village Gazebo on Burton Square. For details, call 440-834-8764.
Lake County
Eastlake Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3863 and Willowick Eastlake Post 678 will host a joint Pearl Harbor Day ceremony at 11 a.m. today inside council chambers at Eastlake City Hall. The public is invited to attend.
Hellriegel’s Inn
The annual Pearl Harbor Day remembrance dinner will be 6 p.m. today at Hellriegel’s Inn, 1840 Mentor Ave. in Painesville Township. The guest speaker will be Army Lt. Col. David Barlett.
Cocktails at 6 p.m. will be followed with a T-bone steak dinner at 7. Tickets are $35 per person and spouses and attendants are welcome. For details and tickets, call 440-354-9530.
Ashtabula
Henry Kalinowski Detachment 782 of the Marine Corps League will host a service at 2 p.m. today at Veterans Memorial Park on Main Avenue in Ashtabula. This time coincides with the time of the attack and the sinking of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
The detachment’s namesake, Henry Kalinowski, was one of those who perished aboard the Arizona. The public is invited to attend the ceremony.

AMVETS Auxiliary collection
Perry Ladies Auxiliary of AMVETS Post 1971, 4129 Main St. in Perry Village, will collect gently worn or new warm clothes and blankets for homeless veterans. Donations will be accepted for the purchase of these items, if you prefer. The project will continue throughout the winter months and items may be dropped off at the AMVETS Post during regular business hours. For details and hours, call 440-259-5131 or Gertie Rorabaugh at 440-259-4242

DAV meets second Saturday
Lake County Chapter 42 of the Disabled American Veterans meets at 11 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at the Marine Corps League Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive, Mentor.
Meetings are usually about one hour. All disabled American veterans are welcome to attend.

Breakfast at Gunny’s Hall
The Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League serves breakfast every Sunday between 9 a.m. and noon.
The buffet is $7.50 and includes scrambled eggs, bacon, ham and sausage, potatoes, French toast, pancakes, biscuits with sausage gravy, toast, coffee and juice.
The public is welcome. 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.

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