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Larece Galer brings you the latest military news. 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.

Friday, February 22, 2013

It's a sign of cooperation

American Legion Post 678 in Willowick has a new sign thanks to members Richard Negrelli and Hal Hildebrecht who designed it.
Negrelli, an American Legion Life member and member of the post for the past 63 years, explained that the post is difficult to find on the side street, and the sign was necessary to let people know it was there.
“The older people are dying off but there is always a certain amount of fraternity at the post,” Negrelli said of his longtime membership.
He was there and helped to pour the concrete foundation for the original post and helped to erect the flag pole that stands in front of the post.
The post was originally the size of two garages.
The current building, complete with a canteen and a banquet hall that is available for rent, was built in 1976 behind a retail strip center on Vine Street but facing East 328th Street.
Negrelli, Hildebrecht and fellow members Joe Strand and Bob Benish all pitched in to get the sign into place last week.

Junior Girls Unit dinner a hit
The Junior Girls Unit of VFW Post 2595 had a successful dinner event on Feb. 10 as the young ladies raised $310 for the VFW National Military Service Program.
To be a Junior Girl of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, you must be 5 to 16 years of age and be a daughter, foster-daughter, step-daughter, granddaughter, sister, foster-sister, step-sister or half-sister of someone who is eligible for the VFW. This would be someone who has served overseas in a U.S. military conflict that the VFW recognizes as a foreign war.
For details, talk to your nearest Ladies Auxiliary.
 
Megen’s Civil War Quilts Lecture
and trunk show

Ladies, join quilt shop owner and Civil War quilt enthusiast Megen Wierzbicki for a fascinating lecture and trunk show to learn the history and origins of Civil War quilts, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland.
Learn about their fabrics, patterns and quilting designs.
Time is included for questions and answers. Free evening admission from 5 to 7 p.m. is included to view show quilts prior to the program.
Program fee is $10. Register online at lakemetroparks.com or call 440-358-7275.
 
Men’s Auxiliary hosts steak dinner
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville will host a steak dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at the post home. All are welcome.
For details, call 440-354-9090.
 
Burton Legion serves pancakes
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton will host a pancake and sausage breakfast 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the post home. For details, call Ron at 440-343-1478.
 
CPAs volunteer for military personnel
The Ohio Society of CPAs is offering free tax preparation services to Ohio military families this tax season.
Now through April, Ohio Certified Public Accountants will prepare 2012 tax returns for military personnel who are permanent residents of Ohio and currently deployed outside of the state.
To find an Operation CPA volunteer in your area, call The Ohio Society of CPAs toll free at 888-959-1212 or email cpanswers@ohio-cpa.com.
 
Madison VFW Auxiliary craft show
The annual craft bazaar of the Ladies Auxiliary of Madison VFW Post 8548, will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 9, at Stratton Place on Main Street in Madison Village.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Madison Food Bank.
The public is invited.
 
Annual Oink and Squeal
at Burton post

Oink and Squeal Party with raffle and Chinese auction will begin at 5 p.m. March 23 at the Burton American Legion Hall, 14052 Goodwin St.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. and raffle will begin at 7p.m. Raffle tickets are $2 each and Chinese auction ticket are 10 for $1.
Prizes for the evening include cash and 20 hams. Admission is non-perishable food items, bath items or cash donations for the local food bank.
Food will be available for purchase through the Legion kitchen.
For tickets, contact an American Legion Ladies Auxiliary member.
 
Abbey Rodeo to appear
at Willoughby post

Willoughby VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road, will host a fundraiser spaghetti dinner followed by a performance of Abbey Rodeo beginning at 6 p.m. March 23.
Tickets are $18 per person and due to advance sales, tickets may not be available the night of the event.
For tickets, call 440-951-9233 or in person at the post home.
All proceeds will benefit “The Littlest Heroes” as well as the VFW National Children’s Home, Cleveland Area VA Hospital treats and care packages for the troops.
 
Reverse Raffle scheduled
St. Vitus Post 1655 of the Catholic War Veterans will host a reverse raffle April 16, at the Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave. in Cleveland.
Only 175 main board tickets will be sold for the chance to win $2,500 in total cash prizes.
Tickets include dinner and an open bar. Cost for main board tickets is $60 with an additional dinner tickets for $20.
Consolation prizes and side boards will also be available. For details or to purchase tickets call Mike Blau at 440-954-1426.
 
Early warning
The 11th annual “Rally for the Troops” will be 11 a.m. April 28 at Cleveland Public Square.
There is no cost to attend the rally and free parking will be available at Tower City and Network Parking 12:30 to 3 p.m. For details, visit www.clevelandrallyforthetroops.com

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.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Willowick-Eastlake American Legion has new sign



A new sign at the corner of Vine Street and East 328th Street, in Willowick announces the American Legion Post 678 events. 

The sign was designed and constructed by Post members Richard Negrelli and Hal Hildebrecht
Helping to place the new sign in front of the post are members (left to right) Richard Negrelli, Joe Strand and Bob Benish.
Not pictured is Hal Hildebrecht.

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Post meeting schedule

Meeting times at various posts around the Northeast Ohio area:

American Legion Post 7
29919 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe
440-585-4191
7:30 p.m. first and third Wednesday

American Legion Post 214
4304 Center Street, Willoughby, OH 44094
440-942-7762
7 p.m. first Thursday /Auxiliary 7 p.m. fourth Tuesday

American Legion Post 336
60 Chester Street, Painesville
www.alpost336.com
440-357-7711
7:30 p.m. first Monday/ Auxiliary 7 p.m. second Wednesday

American Legion Post 459
14052 Goodwin Street, Burton
440-834-8621
7:30 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays
Call Charles Boehnlein at 440-834-1191 or Ron Laurent at 440-343-1478

VFW Post 1500
38295 Pelton Road, Willoughby
440-951-9233
7:30 p.m. second Wednesday 7 p.m. second Thursday

VFW Post 2926
at American Legion Post 7, 29919 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe
John Kirk 216-432-1199
the second Monday of each month

VFW Post 2595
570 Liberty Street, Painesville
440-354-9090
7 p.m. fourth Monday/ Auxiliary, 7 p.m. fourth Thursday

VFW Post 3863
33641 Vine Street, Eastlake
440-942-3980
7 p.m. first Monday/Auxiliary, 7 p.m. first Thursday

VFW Post 9295
8682 Mentor Avenue, Mentor
440-255-3473
7 p.m. Third Tuesday/Auxiliary, 7 p.m. Third Tuesday

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
8720 Twinbrook Road, Mentor 44060
11 a.m. second Saturday of the month

AMVETS Post 40
9141 Jordan Drive, Mentor
440-257-5825
noon first Sunday of each month

AMVETS Post 109
7847 Lake Shore Boulevard, Mentor-on-the-Lake
440-257-9217
7 p.m. first Wednesday/Auxiliary 7 p.m. second Wednesday

AMVETS Post 1971
4128 Main Street, Perry Village
440-259-5131

AMVETS District 20
meets at various posts in the district 7:30 p.m. second Tuesday of the month

Civil Air Patrol Painesville Composite Frank H. Kettlewood Squadron GLR OH 252
Painesville Church of the Nazarene 6235 Chestnut Street, Painesville, Oh 44077
Tom Snell 440-415-5528

Catholic War Veterans St. Vitus Post 1655
6101 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland
Mike Blau 440-954-1426 7:30 p.m. meets third Tuesday of the month

Catholic War Veterans John Paul II Post 1959
St. Mary Magdalene Church, Willowick
Ken Kirchner 440-257-2156
7 p.m. first Wednesday of each month

Korean War Veterans Assoc.
Lake Erie Chapter 112, meets at VFW Post 1058, East 200th Street, Euclid
Bob Brice 440-942-3296
7 p.m. last Monday of each month

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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Kirtland Kiwanis honor Vietnam Veterans at dinner




Kirtland Kiwanis honored Vietnam Veterans with dinner at the Kirtlander Party Center, January 24, 2013.
Speakers for the evening were Dennis Brand, USMC and Frank Tomaselli, Technical Sergeant, USAF, MP (ret.)
The two men announced that they were forming a new Veteran’s group at the Kirtland Senior Center that would be meeting at Noon on Wednesday, Feb. 27. The group is open to all veterans, widows, widowers and patriotic Americans.
Tomaselli who spent two tours of duty in Vietnam, 65-66 and 67-68, gave a brief history of the war and an idea of what it was like to be “in country”
Vietnam was guerilla warfare on a grand scale. Once the tour of duty was over and the soldiers came home, most did not experience a happy homecoming. While trying to deal with the effects of PTSD and Agent Orange they were met with protesters.
A moment of silence was observed for Kirtland residents who were killed in Vietnam: Daniel Zegarac, Ronald Bohannon and Jack Logan, Jr.
Kirtland Vietnam veterans were recognized: David Grinstead, Walt Harrison, David Pastor, Alan Thornton, Don Webbe and Fran Raishart.
Kiwanis veterans who served during the Vietnam era were recognized: Wayne Baumgart, Chuck Bickart, Rich Blum, John Bodmer, Jim Emch, Steve Romelfanger, Richard Steudel, Tony Zalar and Bill Parsons.
Other Kiwanis veterans were also recognized  Bob Eversole, Jim Naughton, Lew Schupp, and Don White.
The veterans received certificates of appreciation and Viet Nam hats. 
Back Row: David Grinstead, Alan Thornton, David Pastor
Front Row: Don Webbe, Walt Harrison, Frank Raishart

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