Sunday is the 238th birthday of the Marine Corps.
This is a special day celebrated by all Marines. The usual festivities include a birthday ball, cake and the annual birthday message from the commandant.
This year I wish all of the Marines, those I am related to and those who are family because they are Marines, a happy birthday.
The festivities on Sunday will be followed by the solemn ceremonies of Veterans Day on Monday. There will be many ceremonies marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the Armistice was signed to end World War I.
No longer called Armistice Day, Veterans Day is a day to honor all of those who have served this great nation.

Ohio Veterans Bonus 
deadline nears
Ohio veterans who served during the time of 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 and select option 2, or visit www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov.

Gunny’s Hall serves all week
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, serves an all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast from 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 lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu will include the daily special and regular menu items.
Fish fry meals will be served 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Friday at the hall.
For details or questions, please call 440-974-9380. Meals are open to the public.

Fairport post offers 
fish fry dinners
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 from 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.

Painesville Auxiliary hosts dinner
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 336, 60 Chester St. in  Painesville, will host a braised beef pot roast dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today at the post home. Dinner will be $8 each.

Catholic War Veterans 
membership drive
Catholic War Veterans Post 1959 of Lake County will have a membership and poppy drive at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge in Concord Township, and at St. Mary Magdalene, 32114 Vine St. in Willowick, during all Masses Saturday and Sunday. For details call Ken Kirchner, second vice commander at 440-257-2156 or email him at cpd2195@yahoo.com.

Work party at Boulevard of Flags
Volunteers are needed to take down the flags at the Boulevard of Flags beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 16, 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 Nov. 17.
Should the weather be rainy on both days, please meet at the same time on Nov. 23.

Baskets of Appreciation 
volunteers wanted
Volunteers are needed for the third annual Baskets of Appreciation for families of service men and women in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties. You can help make the holidays brighter while their loved ones serve our country.
Items being collected should all be new toiletry items, toys, games, and DVDs or CDs. Also being collected are stocking stuffers, healthy snacks, miscellaneous goodies, hats, gloves and scarves, all infant items, kitchen and bathroom items, and sweat shirts and pants.
Baskets measuring 12 inches or larger are also needed. Items will be collected through November and stored at Uncle Bob’s storage. Call Sally at 440-975-8880 for donation details.
Items will be assembled at the Lake County Fair Grounds 4-H Building from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Nov. 15, with pickup on Nov. 16. Volunteers are needed to help pack, so bring a friend and spend a few hours for a worthy cause.

Holiday bazaar 
at AMVETS Post 40
AMVETS Post 40 will host a holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at the post, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor. The sale is open to the public. For details, call the post at 440-257-5825.

Auxiliary Unit helps member
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 678 will host a benefit spaghetti dinner from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 17 at the post home, 570 E. 328th St. in  Willowick. The dinner benefits an auxiliary member who is in need of assistance.
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.

‘Big Boy’ night at Eastlake post
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will host a “Big Boy” Browns tailgate party beginning at 1 p.m. until game time Nov. 17 at the post home. Big Boys will be $5 each and an order of fries will be $1. For details, call 440-942-3980.

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.