A bill being considered in Congress is attempting to award a collective Congressional Gold Medal to American Fighter Aces.
This group includes Fairport Harbor native Don Blakeslee, one of fewer than 1,500 American Aces since the use of airplanes began during World War I.
To be an Ace, an American pilot must have served honorably during a time of war or conflict and have five or more enemy aircraft confirmed as destroyed.
Blakeslee was born Sept. 11, 1917, in Fairport Harbor. He became fascinated with planes after seeing the Cleveland National Air Races as a child. He learned to fly here but after a friend crashed Blakeslee’s Piper Cub, the young man left for Canada to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and fly with the American Eagle Squadrons, American volunteers to the RCAF.
In 1942, he was transferred to the American Forces and assigned to the Fourth Fighter Group, flying P-51 Mustangs. He became commander of the Fourth in 1944. In some articles I have read, Blakeslee flew almost 500 missions and had an estimated 1,000 combat hours. It seems that this may be a lower estimate than he actually flew, as Blakeslee was known to forget to log hours if “nothing happened” on the run.
Col. Donald Blakeslee died in 2008, as one of the most decorated fighter pilots of World War II.
“I’m honored and humbled to be part of the movement to award the American Fighter Aces with the Congressional Gold Award,” said Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, one of the bill’s sponsors.

Ford Tri-Motor to visit Burke Lakefront
Catch a ride in the Experimental Aircraft Association Ford Tri-Motor at Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 North Marginal Road in Cleveland. The Tri-Motor will be selling rides through Sunday at the International Women’s Air and Space Museum, located in the airport terminal.
Adult rides are $75 and children can ride for $50. Call the museum at 216-623-1111 to reserve your place on this historic aircraft.

Lake History Center will be Blue Star Museum
The Lake County History Center will again be a Blue Star Museum from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2013. All active military with up to five immediate family members (spouse and child) and the proper identification will be admitted at no charge. For details, call 440-639-2945, ext. 14, or email events@lakehistory.org.

Willoughby post hosts breakfast
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will host a huge breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The breakfast will benefit the Veterans Affairs hospitals and is open to the public. Tickets are $8 and available at the post. For details about the breakfast, call 440-951-9233.

Legion to offer steak dinners
every Friday
Palmer-Roberts American Legion Post 214, 3404 Center St. in Willoughby, will again offer steak dinners on Fridays from 5 to 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 6. The dinners are open to the public. For details, call 440-942-7762.

Painesville post hosts
Remembrance Tribute
American Legion Riders Chapter 336 will host “A Remembrance Tribute to Ohio Veterans,” featuring the traveling Ohio POW-MIA Vietnam Wall and a ceremony presented by Rolling Thunder Inc. Chapter 5 of Ohio. The event will begin at 1 p.m. June 8 at Brakeman-King American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. For details, call Steven Anderson at 440-413-1055.

Flag Day ceremonies planned
 Jay Wilson Post 112 of the American Legion reminds everyone that if your flag is worn out, torn, or faded beyond proper use, drop it off at the post home, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison. There is a drop box painted red, white and blue for fast and hassle-free drop-off from your vehicle.
The post membership will present a flag retirement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. June 11. For details, call 440-428-7893. 
  American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a “Retirement of Flags” ceremony behind the post home at 1 p.m. June 14. The public is welcome. For details, call 440-834-8764.
 Willowick American Legion Post 678 and Eastlake VFW Post 3863 will host a fag retirement ceremony at the Boulevard of 500 Flags at 11 a.m. June 16. For details, call the American Legion at 440-943-9659 or the VFW at 440-942-3980.

Legion Riders host
second flea market
The Legion Riders of American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host its second annual flea market June 15 at the post home. Spaces will be $10 with table; second table will be $5. Spaces under the covered pavilion are limited. The sale is open to everyone who would like to clean out their attic, garage or basement.
Proceeds will benefit veterans in the Lake County area. For details or to reserve a space, call 440-724-6871.

Color Guard flea market
planned in Painesville
American Legion Post 336 annual Color Guard Flea Market and Garage Sale will be 9 to 5 p.m. June 20 through 22 at the post, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. Table space is available for $5 a table outside and $7 a table inside, a day. For details, call 440-357-7711.

Chardon Post hosts rummage sale
Chardon VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 21 and 22 at the post home. No furniture or clothing will be available. For details, call the post home at 440-285-3699.

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