I admire anyone who can laugh, considers themselves lucky and always has some project going on. Bob Zonneville of Mentor is on my most admired list.
Zonneville recently was honored by the French Consulate with the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal. Zonneville was awarded the medal because of his actions with the 8th Infantry Division — “The Golden Arrow” — during World War II.
“I was gone three years and when I got home, I couldn’t buy a drink,” Zonneville recalled with his infectious laugh. He could not buy a drink because at the time he was not legally old enough to do so.
The Knight of the Legion of Honor was not something that he expected. The consulate contacted him in January and requested some of his Army paperwork. He returned what was requested and thought no more about it, as he was busy finishing up college.
Zonneville graduated from Lakeland Community College in Kirtland in May. As I said before, I admire anyone who always has a project going on.
The French medal appeared in Zonneville’s mailbox a few weeks ago. It came as a bit of a surprise because of the other things he was busy with. He will be the first to tell you how lucky he is and can give you a list of reasons why he is lucky.
“I was honored by this,” Zonneville said.
There is always a fundraiser, scholarship or something that needs his attention. He spreads his lucky life around helping others.
“I’m the luckiest person that walks,” Zonneville said. “That’s why I help others.”
Zonneville will celebrate his 89th birthday in January.

Female Young Marine awarded National Scholarship
Ashtabula County Young Marines Master Gunnery Sgt. Mary Wessell has been chosen to receive the National Jimmy Trimble Scholarship at the Young Marines National Headquarters in November. A Geneva High School senior, she is the female recipient of the $1,000 scholarship.
To be eligible, the applicant must be a Young Marine in good standing, have been in the Young Marines for three years or more, and be a graduating high school senior.
The scholarship is presented to one male and female each year in memory of Jimmy Trimble who was killed in action on Iwo Jima during World War II.
Wessell is the daughter of Kenny and Judy Wessell of Geneva.

Geauga County Veterans ID
still available
The Geauga County Veterans ID Cards were a huge hit, according to Geauga County Recorder Sharon Gingerich.
The recorder’s office produced 115 cards, with a line out of the office and onto the sidewalk on the first day of issue. The identification cards will continue to be available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the recorder’s office, 231 Main St. in Chardon.
For details, call the office at 440-279-2020. 

Stuff the bus for Sub Zero Mission
Sub Zero Mission will be accepting donations of gently used adult men’s and women’s coats, sleeping bags, sweatshirts, fleeces, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets and new socks to help the sheltered and unsheltered homeless. Stuff the mission bus “Gemma” from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Sheraton Furniture, 3806 Erie St. in Willoughby. Sheraton Furniture and McKinley Grove Community Center will host the event and offer refreshments and goodies.
Between 5 and 7 p.m., bring your toughest design question and a donation for Sub Zero Mission and receive a free pumpkin from Sheraton furniture.

Fish fry Friday in Fairport
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, hosts 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.

Pork chops on menu
at Painesville VFW
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a breaded pork chop dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the post home. Dinners are $10 each, and the public is welcome. For details, call 440-354-9090.

Flag disposal ceremony Saturday
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor, will host a flag disposal ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday at the post home. If you have old flags that need to be disposed of, they can be dropped off at the post for proper disposal.

Clambake weekend
n The annual Steam Engine Clambake will be Saturday at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor. Dinner includes a dozen clams, chicken, sweet potato, corn, clam chowder, cole slaw, roll and butter and homemade ice cream. Tickets are $20 per person and extra clams will be available. For details and tickets, call 440-974-9380.
n American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a clambake beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday at the post. Steak and one dozen clams will be $24 and chicken with one dozen clams will be $22. Entertainment by D.J. Woody is from 7 to 11 p.m. Call the post after 3 p.m. to place your order at 440-942-7762.
n AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor, will host a clambake, beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the post home. Tickets are $20 each and a cash bar will be available. For tickets, call John McCallister at 440-521-7235.
n VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host its annual clambake from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the post home. Tickets are $25 per person and $10 for extra clams. Tickets are available only in advance and must be purchased before Oct. 20. For information or tickets, call 440-285-3699.

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.