Every week, this column gives me a surprise. I never know what is coming my way.
This week was no exception. An email came from Max Poorthuis, requesting that I ask readers if anyone knew anything about another young man named Private First Class George C. Lucky. What struck me was the fact that Max had adopted the grave of Pfc. Lucky in the American Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.
Poorthuis, 20, is a health sciences student at the University of Twente in the Dutch city of Enschede. He has had an interest in World War II for eight years after seeing the mini-series “Band of Brothers.”
He has visited Normandy each year since and has met members of the group that formed the basis for the movie.
Poorthuis has adopted seven graves in American cemeteries and is working to find out about each of the men buried in them. It is a Dutch tradition to adopt the graves and Poorthuis is trying to learn about the men.
“To this day, I still do not know much about Pfc. Lucky,” Poorthuis said.
Lucky is known to have served with the 16th Infantry. He was born somewhere in Ohio in 1922. Lucky enlisted in the Army on May 6, 1943, from Cleveland. He lived in Cuyahoga County before he left for Europe.
Lucky was killed in action on Nov. 26, 1944, near the German town of Hamich.
This is all Poorthuis has to go on. If you knew Pfc. George Lucky, Poorthuis would like to speak with you about the man in the grave.
“I am doing all this because I adopted the mission of securing the memory of these men,” Poorthuis said. “Adopting their graves is the least I can do. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

Lakeland dedicates veterans lounge
Lakeland Community College will dedicate the new Veterans Lounge for students who served in the military at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 19. The lounge is located in E Building, Room E-117.
Lakeland has been named a Military Friendly School for 2014. This is the fifth year that the college has been awarded the distinction by G.I. Jobs magazine.

Willoughby post offers fish fry dinners
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, is hosting fish fry dinners the first and third Fridays of the month at the post home. For details, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

Sunday breakfast and daily lunches now served
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, is again serving an all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast 9 a.m. to noon between Labor and Memorial days. The cost is $7.50 per person and special orders can be taken for an additional $1.50.
The detachment also serves lunches daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu will include a daily special and regular menu items. Both the breakfast and daily lunches are open to the public. For details or questions, please call 440-974-9380.

Fairport post serving fish on Fridays
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will again host fish fry dinners every second and fourth Friday of the month. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinners from 4 to 7 p.m.
The public is welcome. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.

Golf outing benefits food bank and others
American Legion Post Jay Wilson 112 of Madison will host a golf outing for members and guests at 1 p.m. Sunday. The golf outing will raise funds for the charities program.
Donations of door prizes, and hole sponsorships for $25 each are needed.
All proceeds will benefit the Madison Food Bank and other community programs.
Tickets are $65 per person. For more information, call the post at 440-428-7893 or Frank Magda Jr. at 440-796-3562.

Poor Man’s Raffle at Willowick Legion
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 678, 579 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a Poor Man’s Reverse Raffle at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 20 at the post home. Tickets are $10 each and only 200 tickets will be sold.
Proceeds will benefit American Legion charities. Tickets are available at the canteen or from any SALs member.

Outing benefits Sub Zero Mission
The Second Annual Sub Zero Mission charity golf outing will be 11:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at Madison Country Club, 6131 Chapel Road in Madison. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the shotgun start will be at 1 p.m.
The outing will benefit Sub Zero Mission, a charity to prevent freezing and injury caused by extreme weather exposure to the homeless and the financially destitute Americans, with a special focus on military veterans.
For details, call Del Bethel at 440-286-1387 or 440-622-4157 or email to del@subzeromission.org.

Cornhole game of the day at Gunny’s Hall
Col. J.M. Chambers, Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a cornhole tournament fundraiser beginning at 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at Gunny’s Hall.
The tournament is open to the public and is $10 per person to enter. ($5 fundraiser and $5 tournament) To register in advance or for more information, 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.