Veterans Day was an eventful one in Lake and Geauga counties, as the majority of communities observed the day with some type of service.
In my opinion, the most exciting event was the official opening of the new American Legion Post
at Lake Erie College in Painesville.
I have heard comments both pro and con about the new post. In my opinion, if a new post opens that is a good thing. The more members the American Legion attracts, the better.
Having a post on campus makes it accessible to student veterans, regardless of their age, making membership more convenient. Members can attend post meetings without leaving school.
The importance of the post is not where it is housed or even who the members are.
The importance comes with community involvement by the post.
The uniforms may be gone, but these members will still be serving the community.

Spaghetti dinner 
benefits medical needs
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 678 will host a benefit spaghetti dinner from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the post home, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
The dinner benefits an auxiliary member who is in need of assistance because of mounting medical bills.
The dinner also will include door prizes.
Tickets are $10 per person and are available in advance at the canteen or by calling Pat Simonitis at 440-944-2843.

Dinner helps kids soar
Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron 252 of Painesville will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in  Painesville.
Dinners will be $6 each.
The event is open to the public and proceeds will benefit a trip for the cadets to glider camp.
For details, call 440-354-2719.

Stuff a stocking 
with holiday cheer
DeJohn Funeral Homes and Crematory invites the community to be a part of the Stockings for Soldiers and Shelters program.
Stop in at either DeJohn Funeral Home location at 28890 Chardon Road Willoughby Hills or at 4600 Mayfield Road in South Euclid between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and pick up a free Christmas stocking to take home, decorate and stuff with Christmas cheer.
Included with the stocking will be a list of items to send to our troops overseas or to distribute to organizations locally that provide care for those who cannot care for themselves.
Return the stuffed stocking by Dec. 2 and the distribution will be done by the funeral home at its expense.
For details, call Christina Vidmar at 440-278-7101 or email to cvidmar@dejohncares.com.

Veterans running out 
of time to apply for bonus
Ohio veterans who served during the Persian Gulf War have until Dec. 31 to apply for the Ohio Veterans Bonus and receive the thank you for their service awarded them by Ohio’s citizens.
The bonus continues for veterans of the Iraq War, who have until Dec. 31, 2014, to apply.
No deadline has been announced for veterans of the Afghanistan War and all veterans who served after Oct. 7, 2001.
For details, call toll free 877-OHIOVET, option 2; or visit www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov.

Willoughby post serves 
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.

Volunteers for work party wanted
Volunteers are needed to take down the flags at the Boulevard of Flags, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at 35150 Lake Shore Blvd. in Eastlake.
Volunteers are asked to dress for the weather and bring gloves. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date will be Sunday.
Should the weather be rainy on both days, please meet at the same time on Nov. 23.

AMVETS welcomes public 
to holiday bazaar
AMVETS Post 40 will host a holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the post, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor. The sale is open to the public. For details, call the post at 440-257-5825.

‘Big Boys’ for tailgate party at Eastlake post
VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will host a “Big Boy” Browns Tailgate party, beginning at 1 p.m. until game time Sunday at the post home.
Big Boys will be $5 each and an order of fries will be $1.
For details, call 440-942-3980.

Sausage gravy and biscuit 
breakfast at Madison post
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 8548, 7604 Lake Road E. in Madison Township, will host a sausage gravy and biscuit breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the post home. Breakfast for adults is $5 and a child’s portion will be $3.50.
The breakfast proceeds will benefit veteran activities and the scholarship fund.
For details, call 440-428-3050.

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