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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.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

May Honor Flight participants



The following area veterans traveled to Washington D.C. with Honor Flight on May 15, to view their memorials: William Balser and Daniel Corcoran of Chagrin Falls, William Haverlock of Wickliffe, Joseph Janis of Kirtland, Ludvick Lekson of Willowick, Joseph Koslo, Jr., of Mentor and Eugene Torok, of Madison.

Honor Flight Cleveland, a local organization that pays tribute to U.S. Veterans by providing them an all-expense-paid one-day trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials honoring their service is seeking World War II and Korean War veterans to participate in the organization’s seventh year of flying.
Veteran applications can be obtained at www.HonorFlightCleveland.com. Veteran selection for the flights is one a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge to the veteran for this memorable trip that includes airfare, chartered bus service and all meals.
Every veteran is accompanied by a guardian. A family member 9except spouse) can serve as the guardian. Guardians can also be volunteers who wish to assist a veteran in this experience. Guardians must be able to push a wheelchair during the entire trip, are required to attend a one-and-a-half hour training session, and pay $250 to cover their expenses. The volunteer guardian application is available on the Honor Flight Cleveland website.
Training session schedules are also posted on the web site. Honor Flight will fly nine times during the 2013 season, both May flights are full. Veteran applications submitted now will be considered on a first come, first-served basis for the June through November flights.
For details call Jan Merrick at 440-639-9368 or via email at jmerrick@juno.com

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American Aces being considered for Gold Medal

A bill being considered in Congress is attempting to award a collective Congressional Gold Medal to American Fighter Aces.
This group includes Fairport Harbor native Don Blakeslee, one of fewer than 1,500 American Aces since the use of airplanes began during World War I.
To be an Ace, an American pilot must have served honorably during a time of war or conflict and have five or more enemy aircraft confirmed as destroyed.
Blakeslee was born Sept. 11, 1917, in Fairport Harbor. He became fascinated with planes after seeing the Cleveland National Air Races as a child. He learned to fly here but after a friend crashed Blakeslee’s Piper Cub, the young man left for Canada to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and fly with the American Eagle Squadrons, American volunteers to the RCAF.
In 1942, he was transferred to the American Forces and assigned to the Fourth Fighter Group, flying P-51 Mustangs. He became commander of the Fourth in 1944. In some articles I have read, Blakeslee flew almost 500 missions and had an estimated 1,000 combat hours. It seems that this may be a lower estimate than he actually flew, as Blakeslee was known to forget to log hours if “nothing happened” on the run.
Col. Donald Blakeslee died in 2008, as one of the most decorated fighter pilots of World War II.
“I’m honored and humbled to be part of the movement to award the American Fighter Aces with the Congressional Gold Award,” said Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, one of the bill’s sponsors.

Ford Tri-Motor to visit Burke Lakefront
Catch a ride in the Experimental Aircraft Association Ford Tri-Motor at Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 North Marginal Road in Cleveland. The Tri-Motor will be selling rides through Sunday at the International Women’s Air and Space Museum, located in the airport terminal.
Adult rides are $75 and children can ride for $50. Call the museum at 216-623-1111 to reserve your place on this historic aircraft.

Lake History Center will be Blue Star Museum
The Lake County History Center will again be a Blue Star Museum from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2013. All active military with up to five immediate family members (spouse and child) and the proper identification will be admitted at no charge. For details, call 440-639-2945, ext. 14, or email events@lakehistory.org.

Willoughby post hosts breakfast
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will host a huge breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The breakfast will benefit the Veterans Affairs hospitals and is open to the public. Tickets are $8 and available at the post. For details about the breakfast, call 440-951-9233.

Legion to offer steak dinners
every Friday

Palmer-Roberts American Legion Post 214, 3404 Center St. in Willoughby, will again offer steak dinners on Fridays from 5 to 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 6. The dinners are open to the public. For details, call 440-942-7762.

Painesville post hosts
Remembrance Tribute

American Legion Riders Chapter 336 will host “A Remembrance Tribute to Ohio Veterans,” featuring the traveling Ohio POW-MIA Vietnam Wall and a ceremony presented by Rolling Thunder Inc. Chapter 5 of Ohio. The event will begin at 1 p.m. June 8 at Brakeman-King American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. For details, call Steven Anderson at 440-413-1055.

Flag Day ceremonies planned
 Jay Wilson Post 112 of the American Legion reminds everyone that if your flag is worn out, torn, or faded beyond proper use, drop it off at the post home, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison. There is a drop box painted red, white and blue for fast and hassle-free drop-off from your vehicle.
The post membership will present a flag retirement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. June 11. For details, call 440-428-7893. 
  American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a “Retirement of Flags” ceremony behind the post home at 1 p.m. June 14. The public is welcome. For details, call 440-834-8764.
 Willowick American Legion Post 678 and Eastlake VFW Post 3863 will host a fag retirement ceremony at the Boulevard of 500 Flags at 11 a.m. June 16. For details, call the American Legion at 440-943-9659 or the VFW at 440-942-3980.

Legion Riders host
second flea market

The Legion Riders of American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host its second annual flea market June 15 at the post home. Spaces will be $10 with table; second table will be $5. Spaces under the covered pavilion are limited. The sale is open to everyone who would like to clean out their attic, garage or basement.
Proceeds will benefit veterans in the Lake County area. For details or to reserve a space, call 440-724-6871.

Color Guard flea market
planned in Painesville

American Legion Post 336 annual Color Guard Flea Market and Garage Sale will be 9 to 5 p.m. June 20 through 22 at the post, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. Table space is available for $5 a table outside and $7 a table inside, a day. For details, call 440-357-7711.

Chardon Post hosts rummage sale
Chardon VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 21 and 22 at the post home. No furniture or clothing will be available. For details, call the post home at 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.

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Holiday has changed

Memorial Day weekend is a holiday that has seen a few changes.
In fact, even the name was changed.
Originally known as Decoration Day for the flowers and flags placed on the graves of the war dead, it began shortly after the Civil War. The holiday was marked with solemn ceremonies and time to reflect about those who died protecting this country.
In the late 1960s, Decoration Day became Memorial Day. The last Monday in May was chosen as the day to observe the holiday.
Whatever you call it, this is a day to count the blessings that have been fought for by the veterans of this country.

Memorial Day events
n American Legion Post 775, Richmond Heights-Willoughby Hills, will host a ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Memorial at the Richmond Heights City Park, 26789 Highland Road. The public is welcome.
n The City of Willoughby Memorial Day parade and ceremony will be 9:30 a.m. Monday.
The parade will begin on Erie Street and proceed West to Euclid Avenue to Park Avenue, then to Hughes Avenue and conclude at the cemetery on Sharpe Avenue. A ceremony at the cemetery will follow the parade.
n Munson Township will host a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Maple Hill Cemetery, 13480 Auburn Road.
n Newbury Legion Post 663 will host Memorial Day services at 10:30 a.m. at the Newbury School Auditorium before a parade to Center Cemetery, where a service will be performed at noon. The program at Newbury School will be indoors and will honor veterans past and present.

Veterans need help stuffing vehicles
Veterans Helping Veterans stuff vehicles on Memorial Day will be Monday up town in Burton or at the open house at American Legion Atwood Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin Ave., following the Memorial Day service in the park at 11 a.m.
Items collected will benefit veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. This event is sponsored by the American Legion Post 459 Auxiliary.
The wish list includes personal care items; covered soap dishes; white socks; white undershirts, underwear in medium to 2-X sizes; puzzle books, books, magazines, candy and gum. For details call 440-834-0764.

Ford Tri-Motor rides available
Take a ride back in time on the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Ford Tri-Motor plane at Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 North Marginal Road in Cleveland, Wednesday through June 2. The restored 1929 Tri-Motor will be available for rides. Tickets for adults will be $70 for those booking early or $75 at the gate. Children’s tickets will be $50. Call the International Women’s Air and Space Museum at 216-623-1111 or EAA Chapter 50 at 419-239-8292 or book online at www.airventuremuseum.org/fordtrimotor
Proceeds will benefit IWASM and EAA Chapter 50.

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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Thursday, May 16, 2013

One of a kind German Bomber found



The Royal Air Force Museum in Britain is in the midst of a monumental project. The team is raising a Nazi Bomber out of the English Channel.
The German Dornier Do-17 bomber was shot down on Aug. 26, 1940.
All of the crew was accounted for, making it possible to raise the empty aircraft from the English Channel.
Nicknamed the “Flying Pencil,” the Dornier has a long, thin fuselage and is the only aircraft of its kind in the world. During the Battle of Britain, German aircraft that crashed or were shot out of the sky were reclaimed, melted down and used in British aircraft such as the famous Spitfire.
The Dornier is located on a sandbar in the channel where it landed, flipping over. Over time, the tides and sands have hidden the historic aircraft.
Once the plane is raised, it will be preserved using a solution of citric acid (lemon juice) that will strip away chemicals from the channel and aid in stopping
further corrosion of the aluminum aircraft.
The museum website, www.rafmuseum.org.uk, will be posting updates and several of the team members will be blogging about the reclamation. 

Willoughby Rib Burn-Off
to benefit USO
The second annual Downtown Willoughby Rib Burn-Off will be noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, which is Armed Forces Day. Proceeds from the event will benefit USO Northern Ohio. Erie Street will be closed. Ribs, beer and wine will be available for purchase out on the street. There will interactive activities provided by the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
Two stages will provide continuous entertainment. 

Sixth Annual Run for the River
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 42, Lake County will host the sixth annual Run for the River on Saturday. The 70-mile run will begin at Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor, and end at the Wagon Wheel, 1388 Hubbard Road in Madison. Staging will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. and bikes will pull out at 11 a.m.
Tickets are $8 per bike in advance and $10 the day of the run.
All proceeds raised will benefit Fisher House and DAV Chapter 42. For tickets, call 440-382-6818. 

Ladies Auxiliary hosts breakfast
The Ladies Auxiliary of Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday. For details, call 440-354-9090. 

Rolling Thunder in Chardon
Hambden Congregational Church, 13840 GAR Highway in Chardon, will welcome Rolling Thunder on Sunday. Lineup will be at 9:30 a.m. on Chardon Square and pullout will be 9:45 a.m. sharp. This event will happen rain or shine and is open to vehicles with two or four wheels.
Come help salute all of our veterans. Bagpipes will lead the procession, followed by a blessing of the bikes.
A picnic will follow the church service. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided, bring a dish to share. For details, call 440-286-4369.

Geauga World War II
veterans wanted
The Geauga County Historical Society is attempting to identify all current Geauga County residents who are veterans of World War II.
The society will be hosting a tribute dinner for the veterans on May 25 at Century Village Museum’s Bond Building. The dinner is part of a major weekend-long event to commemorate the World War II era.
If someone you know is a veteran of World War II and a resident of Geauga County, contact the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum office at 440-834-1492 or email info@geaugahistorical.org. 

Veterans Helping Veterans
stuff vehicles
Veterans Helping Veterans stuff vehicles on Memorial Day will be May 27 up town in Burton or at the open house at American Legion Atwood Mauck Post 459 following the Memorial Day service in the park at 11 a.m.
Items collected will benefit the veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. This event is sponsored by Post 459.
The wish list includes personal care items; covered soap dishes; white socks; white undershirts, underwear in medium to 2-X sizes; puzzle books, books, magazines, candy and gum. For details, call 440-834-0764. 

Flag Day ceremonies in Madison
Flag Day is June 14, and members of Jay Wilson Post 112 of the American Legion remind everyone that if your American flag is worn out, torn or faded beyond proper use, drop it off at the post home, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison. There is a drop box painted red, white and blue for fast and hassle free drop-off from your vehicle.
The membership of the post will present a public flag retirement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. June 11. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.  

Second annual
flea market planned
Legion Riders of American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host the second annual Flea Market June 15 at the post home. Spaces will be $10 with table; second table will be $5.
Spaces under the covered pavilion are limited. The sale is open to everyone who would like to clean out their attic, garage or basement.
Proceeds from the sale will help veterans in Lake County. For details or to reserve a space, call 440-724-6871.

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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Thursday, May 9, 2013

Two of my favorite things

Sewing and history have always fascinated me. In August, the two will come together in the form of a quilt show at the D-Day Conneaut event on Aug.16 and 17.
The Conneaut Quilters guild has arranged for the appearance of Sue Reich, a national authority on World War II quilts. Forty vintage quilts from 1941 to 1945 that all have patriotic or military themes will be the subject of her lecture at 7 p.m. Aug. 16.
The guild has made a patriotic quilt to be raffled and a victory garden cafe will be open for lunch.
Details about the D-Day event are available at www.ddayohio.us and information about the quilts is available at www.coveringquilthistory.com.

Mother’s Day
 plant sale at Burton Post

American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a Mother’s Day plant sale from noon to 7 p.m. today; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The sale will include flats, baskets and pots, and will take place rain or shine.
All proceeds raised will benefit the school scholarship fund. For details, call 440-834-4532.

Walk for Fisher House
American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 343 of Euclid will host a Walk for Fisher House on Saturday at Sparky DiBiasio Stadium, 22800 Tracy Ave. in Euclid. Walkers may register for $20 and are encouraged to collect sponsor donations. For details or registration, call Karen Kilkenney at 216-407-1286 or email walkforfisher@roadrunner.com

Junior girls wash cars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Unit 2595 Junior Girls will host a car wash from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the post home, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville.
The girls are ages 5 through 16 and are the daughters, sisters and granddaughters of men and women eligible to join the VFW. Funds raised will be used in support of veterans, active-duty military, their families and the community, including “Appreciation Baskets for Military Families.”
For details, about the group call Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Take Mom to breakfast
at Eastlake post

VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will serve a Mother’s Day breakfast 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the post home. Breakfast is $5 per person and mothers eat free. For details, call the post home at 440-942-3980.

Rib burn-off benefits USO
The Second Annual Downtown Willoughby Rib Burn-Off will be noon to 8 p.m. May 18, which is Armed Forces Day. Proceeds from the event will benefit USO Northern Ohio. Ribs, beer and wine will be available for purchase, and two stages will provide continuous entertainment. In addition, there will interactive activities provided by the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
Erie Street will be closed during the event.

Run for the River
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 42 of Lake County will host the Sixth Annual Run for the River on May 18. The 70-mile run will begin at Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor, and end at the Wagon Wheel, 1388 Hubbard Road in Madison. Staging will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. and bikes will pull out at 11 a.m. Tickets are $8 per bike in advance and $10 the day of the run. All proceeds will benefit Fisher House and DAV Chapter 42. For tickets, call Mandi at 440-382-6818.

Geauga County World War II
veterans wanted

Geauga County Historical Society is attempting to identify all current Geauga County residents who are veterans of World War II.
The Historical Society will be hosting a tribute dinner for the veterans on May 25 at Century Village Museum’s Bond Building. The dinner is part of a major weekend-long event to commemorate the World War II era.
If someone you know is a veteran of World War II and a resident of Geauga County, please contact the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum office at 440-834-1492 or email info@geaugahistorical.org.

Help stuff the vehicles
Veterans Helping Veterans stuff our vehicles on Memorial Day will be May 27, uptown in Burton or at the open house at American Legion Atwood Mauck Post 459 following the Memorial Day service in the park at 11 a.m.
Items collected will benefit the veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. This event is sponsored by the Burton American Legion Post 459 Auxiliary.
The wish list includes personal care items; covered soap dishes; white socks; white undershirts, underwear in medium to 2-X sizes; puzzle books, books, magazines, candy and gum. For details, call 440-834-0764.

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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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Help your post ready for Memorial Day

May is a month to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day, May 27, will be marked by ceremonies in cemeteries across the area and the customary parades on main street.
A lack of volunteers to help prepare the cemeteries and ready for the parades has been mentioned to me several times over the past few weeks.
If you can help before the holiday, ask your post officers what you can do, even if it is only for an hour or two, I am sure the help would be appreciated. Remember, many hands make light work.

Volunteers for coupon program needed
Palmer-Roberts American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214 of Willoughby is throwing in the scissors, so to speak.
The coupon program will officially end June 30. The ladies thank all of the kind people who have contributed to the unit’s coupon program for the military over the past nine years.
This ongoing program has provided $3.49 million worth of coupons to military families in Germany.
At this time, no other group that has stepped forward to take over. If this sounds like a project for your group, please call American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214 at 440-942-7762 and let them know.

Painesville post hosts breakfast before Louie Run
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. to noon at the post home before the Louie Run on Sunday. Cost of the breakfast is $5 per person. For details, call the post at 440-357-7711.

Loyalty Day assembly in Jefferson
A Loyalty Day Assembly will be 8 a.m. May 6 at Jefferson Area High School Auditorium, 206 W. Mulberry St. in Jefferson. The guest speaker will be Chuck Keller, department commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, call Durward A. Newhard at 440-576-8205.

Mother’s Day Plant sale in Burton
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a Mother’s Day Plant Sale from noon to 7 p.m. May 10 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11. The sale will include flats, baskets and pots, and will take place rain or shine.
All proceeds raised will benefit the school scholarship fund. For details, call 440-834-4532.

Walk for Fisher House
Euclid American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 343 will host a Walk for Fisher House on May 11 at the Euclid Sparky DiBiasio Stadium. Walkers may register for $20 and are encouraged to collect sponsor donations. For details or registration, call Karen Kilkenney at 216-407-1286 or email walkforfisher@roadrunner.com

Junior girls wash cars
Painesville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Unit 2595 Junior Girls Unit will host a car wash from 1 to 3 p.m. May 11 at the post home, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville.
The girls are ages 5 through 16 and are the daughters, sisters and granddaughters of men and women eligible to join the VFW. Funds raised will be used in support of veterans, active duty military, their families and the community, including “Appreciation Baskets for Military Families.”
For details about the group, call Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Mother’s Day breakfast served in Eastlake
Eastlake VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St., will serve a Mother’s Day breakfast from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 12 at the post home. Breakfast is $5 per person and mothers eat free. For details, call the post home at 440-942-3980.

Rib Burn-Off benefits USO
The Second Annual Downtown Willoughby Rib Burn-Off will be noon to 8 p.m. on Armed Forces Day, May 18. Proceeds from the event will benefit USO Northern Ohio. Erie Street will be closed. Ribs, beer and wine will be available for purchase on the street. There will interactive activities provided by the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
Two stages will provide continuous entertainment.

DAV hosts Run for the River
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 42, Lake County will host the Sixth Annual Run for the River on May 18. The 70-mile run will begin at Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor and end at the Wagon Wheel, 1388 Hubbard Road in Madison. Staging will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. and bikes will pull out at 11. Tickets are $8 per bike in advance and $10 the day of the run. All proceeds raised will benefit Fisher House and DAV Chapter 42. For tickets, call Mandi at 440-382-6818.

Geauga County veterans wanted
Geauga County Historical Society is attempting to identify all current Geauga County residents who are veterans of World War II.
The Historical Society will host a tribute dinner for the veterans on May 25 at Century Village Museum’s Bond Building in Burton. The dinner is part of a major weekend-long event to commemorate the World War II era.
If someone you know is a veteran of World War II and a resident of Geauga County, please contact the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum office at 440-834-1492 or email info@geaugahistorical.org.

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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