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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.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Rolling Thunder making some noise 26 years later

Rolling Thunder Inc. may be best known for the annual gathering of motorcycles on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., each Memorial Day weekend.
Beginning in 1988, the annual motorcycle gathering brought recognition to the fact that this country still had POWs and MIAs who were unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. The “Ride to the Wall” has grown from 2,500 riders the first year to an estimated 850,000 from all over the country.
Rolling Thunder, Inc. is now a registered nonprofit organization with more than 88 chartered chapters in the United States. The mission of the group is still the same: to educate the general public about the plight of American prisoners of war who were left behind from all wars.
Rolling Thunders Charities Inc. began in 2007. The funds collected are used to assist veterans, active military and their families who are in need of help. No officers of the charity receive compensation for their work.
Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 Ohio is accepting members and welcomes inquiries and questions. Visit its website at www.rtohio1.org or check out its Facebook page.
 
Breakfast in Fairport
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754 Ladies Auxiliary, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will host a Lenten breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the post home. Cost is $6. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.
 
Pancakes and sausage at Burton post
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.  April 7 at the post home. For details call Ron at 440-343-1478.
 
Catholic War Veterans reverse raffle
St. Vitus Post 1655 of the Catholic War Veterans will host a reverse raffle on April 16 at the Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave. in Cleveland. Only 175 main board tickets will be sold for a chance at $2,500 in total cash prizes. Cost for the main board tickets, which include dinner and open bar, are $60. Tickets for dinner only are $20. Consolation prizes and side boards also will be available. Call Mike Blau for tickets and details at 440-954-1426.
 
25 years of community involvement
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the auxiliary from 3 to 6 p.m. April 28. The unit was chartered April 17, 1988, and has been active in the community and with veterans programs since its inception. Dinner will be $10 per person, with a cash bar. Reservations must be made and paid for by April 19. For reservations and details, call Jean Powali at 440-944-8943.
 
Rally for the Troops in 11th year
The 11th annual Rally for the Troops will be 11 a.m. to noon April 28 at Cleveland Public Square. Bikes will stage at 8:30 a.m. from supporting Harley Davidson dealerships in the area and depart at 9:30 a.m. for the rally. Call 440-263-8121 or email KIKSHARLEY@aol.com for details.
There is no cost to attend the rally and free parking will be available at Tower City and Network Parking.
 
Honor Flight season begins
Honor Flight Cleveland will begin the seventh year of flying World War II and Korean veterans to Washington, D.C., to see their memorials.
Applications for veterans and guardians wishing to sign up for the 2013 flight year can visit HonorFlightCleveland.com to obtain an application. All flights are on a first-come, first-served basis. Veterans fly free and guardians fly for $250 for the one-day trip.
Honor Flight Cleveland will fly nine times between May and November of this year. Guardians, in addition to paying a $250 ticket cost, must attend an hour and half of training on the second Tuesday of each month at Mentor VFW Post 9295, 8682 Mentor Ave. in Mentor. The training sessions begin at 6 p.m. and no reservations are needed. For details, call 440-639-9368 or email jmerrick7@juno.com.
 
Breakfast at Gunny’s Hall
Save time over a hot stove on Sunday morning and have breakfast at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor. Served every Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon between Labor Day and Memorial Day, the breakfast is $7.50 and all-you-can-eat. For details, call the post at 440-974-9380.
 
Willoughby VFW hall rental available
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, has a nice hall available for rent with kitchen facilities and a bar area. For details, call the post at 440-951-9233 or email VFW1500@yahoo.com.
 
Honor Guard available in Geauga County
The American Legion Post 459 of Burton/Middlefield has a military honor guard available to perform full military funeral services. The honor guard, led by Newell Beaumier, is available 24/7 with just a few days’ notice. For details, call “Bo” at 440-834-8764.

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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