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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.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Proving a record quite a task

I often receive letters asking questions or seeking help, and most of them I am able to handle with a little research.
The one I received from Jim Lucas of Eastlake has me stumped.
Lucas has been trying to determine if his family might hold a record. The Lucas family boasted nine boys and four girls. The family was from a small town outside of Pittsburgh called Coverdale, now known as Bethel Park.
Eight of the nine boys entered the military in Pittsburgh.
I have heard the story of the “Fighting” Sullivan brothers, who all served together and were lost on the same ship at the same time. I have never heard anything about a family with more than four or five siblings serving. This has got to be some sort of a record, but how does Mr. Lucas prove it?

Sampson Vets gather for 24th year
The 24th annual reunion of Sampson Air Force Base Veterans will be Sept. 22-25 at the Clarion Inn and conference Center in Hudson.
This year, the reunion will be three days and include short day trips as well as the traditional evening dinner.
For full details, call Walt Steesy at 607-532-4204 or email SAMAFBvet@aol.com.

Chardon Ladies host Chinese auction
Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary of Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction and bake sale from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday. There will be more than 100 items to bid on. Tickets are priced six for $4; 12 for $7 or 20 for $10. Winner need not be present. Just put your name and phone number on the ticket.
For details, call Paula Geiss at 440-625-0192.

GI get-together at Burton Legion
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a GI get-together from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 10 at the post home. The event is free to veterans, and coffee and doughnuts will be served. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.

Veterans Day at the fair
Veterans Day at the Lake County Fair will be Aug.14. There will be free admission for all honorably discharged veterans. Please make sure you sign in at the Veteran Service Commission booth.
A special program to honor veterans will be at 1800 hours, or 6 p.m., and normally lasts about an hour. Color guards are invited to participate in the presentation of the colors. Colors will be retired in place.
This year, the program will memorialize the ending of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. All veterans will be honored.

Quilts part of D-Day event
Conneaut Quilters Guild will sponsor a vintage World War II quilt show Aug. 16-17 at the D-Day Conneaut event. Sue Reich, a national authority on quilts of the era, will bring 40 vintage quilts from 1941 to 1945 with patriotic and military themes.
The quilt display will be part of the annual D-Day reenactment in Conneaut. For more information, visit www.coveringquilthistory.com or www.ddayohio.us.

Annual steak roast in Burton
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host its annual steak roast from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17 at the post home. Tickets in advance are $17 per person and available from any post member. Tickets are $21 per person at the door. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.

Veterans invited to dinner
A Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland. The dinner and dessert are free, and families are welcome. This is a family event to bring area veterans together in appreciation of your service.
Register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food and staff.

Wags 4 Warriors benefit
A charity outing with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Wags 4 Warriors will be 3 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at Red Mill Golf Practice Center, 4243 Red Mill Valley Road in Perry. The event will be $5 per golfer and include prizes for golfers.
Hole sponsors are also needed at $10 per hole. For details about the outing or to become a hole sponsor, call 440-259-4211.

Cornhole tournament fundraiser
Col. J.M. Chambers Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor will host a cornhole tournament fundraiser beginning at 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at Gunny’s Hall.
The tournament is open to the public and is $10 per person to enter ($5 fundraiser and $5 tournament). To register in advance or for more information, call 440-974-9380.

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.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Facebook teaches history

I was never a huge fan of Facebook. I started using it because my daughter moved out of state and it offered a quick way to stay connected. I have to admit I am becoming fonder of checking and posting to Facebook.
One of the first “likes” I made was to the International Women’s Air and Space Museum. The museum in Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport has always held a fascination for me since it is airplanes, female pilots and history.
A recent post made by the museum caught my attention. The post concerned a little known bombing group called Nachthexen. Translated from German, it means “Night Witches.” I had never heard of the Soviet 588th Night Bomber Regiment. Chalk up another point in favor of Facebook.
With a little research, I found the Soviet 588th was a female squadron that used Po-2 wood and fabric biplanes to bomb German troops. These gals were either very brave or totally nuts.
The Polikarpov Po-2 had a top cruising speed of 94 mph — much slower that the stall speed of the German Me-109, the aircraft charged with shooting the Night Witches out of the sky. These gals used the old and slow airplanes to their advantage: The Po-2 was very maneuverable and by throwing the plane into a tight turn, the Me-109 could not follow.
Each of the female pilots is said to have flown 1,000 missions and the unit completed 23,000 sorties. The ladies dropped an estimated 3,000 tons of bombs on the Germans. Thirty of these brave women were killed in action.
Since I saw the Facebook posting, the research into these women has fascinated me. I learned that the German high command offered an Iron Cross to any pilot who could shoot a Night Witch out of the sky. The Iron Cross was one of the highest honors awarded to the military in Germany at that time.
24th Annual Marine Corps League golf outing
The annual Col. J.M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League will host its 24th annual Golf Classic beginning at noon, Saturday at Madison Country Club.
Entrance fee is $120 per player and includes 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, lunch, cart and a steak dinner at Gunny’s Hall immediately following the golf. Trophies will be awarded to the first-place team and numerous skills prizes, such as long drives, closest to the pin, etc., also will be awarded.
To play or to be a sponsor, call Gene Deka at 440-668-8777.
Euclid Vets Classic Car Cruise
The Euclid Veterans Association will host a Classic Car Cruise-In from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Tizzano’s Party Center parking lot, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid, just south of Route 2.
Any and all classics up to 1979 are welcome. There is no charge for the show, but donations for the wounded will be gratefully accepted. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 cars.
Donations will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Veteran’s Best Friend. For details, call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.
Chardon Post to host Chinese auction
Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary of Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction and bake sale from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 3. There will be more than 100 items to bid on. Tickets are priced six for $4; 12 for $7; or 20 for $10. Winner need not be present. Just put your name and phone number on the ticket.
For details, call Paula Geiss at 440-625-0192.
GI get-together at Burton Post
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a GI get-together from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 10, at the post home. The event is free to veterans and coffee and doughnuts will be served. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.
Free day for Veterans at county fair
Veterans Day at the Lake County Fair will be Aug. 14. There will be free admission for all honorably discharged veterans, and please make sure you sign in at the Veteran Service Commission booth.
A special program to honor veterans will be at 1800 hours and normally lasts about an hour. Color guards are invited to participate in the presentation of the colors. Colors will be retired in place.
This year, the program will memorialize the ending of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. All veterans will be honored.
Vintage Quilts at D-Day Conneaut
Conneaut Quilters Guild will sponsor a vintage World War II quilt show Aug. 16-17 at the D-Day Conneaut event. Sue Reich, a national authority on quilts of the era, will bring 40 vintage quilts from 1941 to 1945 with patriotic and military themes.
The quilt display will be part of the annual D-Day re-enactment in Conneaut. For more details, visit www.coveringquilthistory.com or www.ddayohio.us.
Annual steak roast Aug. 17
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host its annual steak roast from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17 at the post home. Tickets in advance are $17 per person and available from any post member. Tickets are $21 per person at the door. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.
Veterans Hospitality Dinner served in Kirtland
A Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland. The dinner and dessert are free and families are welcome. This is a family event to bring area veterans together in appreciation of your service.
Register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food and staff.
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, July 17, 2013

Veterans always involved

The temperatures began the climb toward 90 degrees in the past week and summer has finally arrived.
Summer came officially for me on Sunday with a visit to the Gathering of Eagles air show. I saw a lot of familiar faces from the aviation community and got to take a look at the beautiful airplanes on the ground. The show never fails to please, even with soaring temperatures.
Members of various veteran groups were there in an effort to reach out to the public and offer membership in their organizations.
Beginning today, Painesville Party in the Park will offer music all weekend for those who choose to visit and listen. Once again members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be there to offer information and membership opportunities for those veterans who meet eligibility requirements.
Veterans Day at the Lake County Fair will be Aug. 14. On that day, the fair is free for all honorably discharged veterans. In addition, the Lake County Veteran Service Commission will host a booth and a ceremony marking the end of both the Korean War in 1953 and the Vietnam War in 1973. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. (1800 hours).
No matter what the venue, there always seems to be a veteran involved.

Painesville post at Party in the Park
Painesville VFW Post 2595 will host a booth Friday through Sunday at Painesville Party in the Park. Post members will have information on all of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary programs.
The programs include youth scholarship and volunteer opportunities as well as community recognition. Membership information for the VFW, Ladies Auxiliary, Men’s Auxiliary and Junior Girls Unit will be available. This year, a second year’s membership will be free for any eligible veterans or Ladies Auxiliary member joining at Party in the Park.
The post will offer a free drawing for a flag set.
Please call Jill or George Householder at 440-352-9522 for information.

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

VFW offers fish fry dinners
VFW 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.

Sons of the AMVETS serve up burgers
AMVETS Post 109, Sons of the AMVETS, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will be serving sirloin steak burgers every Friday during July. The burgers, with several toppings available, will served from 5 to 8 p.m. All burgers will include fresh cut fries and are $6.50. For details, call the post at 440-257-9217.

24th annual golf classic July 27
The annual Col. J.M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League will host its 24th annual Golf Classic beginning at noon July 27 at Madison Country Club.
Entrance fee is $120 per player and includes 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, lunch, cart and a steak dinner at Gunny’s Hall immediately following the golf. Trophies will be awarded to the first-place team and numerous skills prizes, such as long drives, closest to the pin, etc., also will be awarded.
To play or be a sponsor, call Gene Deka at 440-668-8777.

Euclid Vets host Classic Car Cruise-In
The Euclid Veterans Association will host a Classic Car Cruise-In from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28 at Tizzano’s Party Center parking lot, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid, just south of Route 2.
Any and all classics up to 1979 are welcome. There is no charge for the show, but donations for the wounded will be gratefully accepted. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 cars.
Donations will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Veteran’s Best Friend. For details call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.

Ladies Auxiliary hosts Chinese Auction and Bake Sale
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction and bake sale from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 3. There will be more than 100 items to bid on. Tickets are priced six for $4; 12 for $7 or 20 for $10. Winner need not be present. Just put your name and phone number on the ticket.
For details, call Paula Geiss at 440-625-0192.

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, July 10, 2013

Bomber rides make special gifts

How many ties or pairs of socks does the veteran in the family really need? Why not get the family together and give that special grandfather, uncle or dad a seat in one of two flying B-25D Mitchell medium bombers?
Yankee Warrior, a B-25D Mitchell medium bomber, will land at Lost Nation Airport in Willoughby at about 10 a.m. Saturday to participate in the Gathering of Eagles air show.
“A lot of families have pooled their money to give a flight to an older veteran,” said Jerry Lester, Yankee Air Museum member, speaker and volunteer crew member.
The ship was built in Kansas City in 1943 and is a survivor. She survived combat in Corsica in 1944; training missions throughout Canada as a part of the Lend Lease Act during the war, and after the war was sold to a private owner and stripped of military armament and paint. The Yankee Air Museum bought and restored the Warrior to her former glory during a four-year process beginning in 1986.
One of three flyable aircraft the Museum has, she again survived when a devastating fire left the museum without a permanent home in 2004. The museum is located at the Willow Run Complex in Belleville, Mich., just outside of Detroit.
The bomber will offer rides at the show for $400 per person. When the seven seats are full, the bomber will take off for a 30-minute ride. Proceeds from the flights will benefit the rebuilding of hangar facilities for the Yankee Air Museum and the aircraft.
For details and information about rides, call 269-250-0783.

Air Show at Lost Nation
The Gathering of Eagles XVII Air Show will be Saturday and Sunday at Lost Nation Airport in Willoughby. The show features aircraft that have protected our freedoms and served our country.
Included in the show will be the B-17 bomber, Tuskegee Airmen, World War II re-enactors and a classic car show.
This year a Hangar Dance, featuring the Concord Community Band takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday and the Erie Heights Brass Ensemble performs from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Adult admission is $13; juniors ages 4 to 12 years old admitted for $7; and couples will be admitted for $25. Children under the age of 4 will be admitted free.

Lake County History Center a 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.

Korean War veterans seeking members
Korean War veterans and Korean service veterans are encouraged to consider membership with the Korean War Veterans Association. The group meets the last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1056, 580 E. 200th St., Euclid. For membership information, visit the Korean War Veterans Association website at www.kwva.org to obtain a membership form or call the national membership office at 217-345-4414.

Burial detail available
American Legion Post 459, 14059 Goodwin St. in Burton has a full military funeral detail available to any honorably discharged veteran for full military honors. The Honor guard, led by Newell Beaumier, sergeant at arms, is available 24/7, with a few days’ notice. For details call “Bo” at 440-834-8764. Please leave a message if no one answers.

Burgers on Fridays in July
AMVETS Post 109, Sons of the AMVETS, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will be serving sirloin steak burgers every Friday during July. The burgers will served 5 to 8 p.m. Several toppings are available and all burgers will include fresh cut fries and are $6.50. For details, call the post at 440-257-9217.

4th Annual Pig Roast Saturday
American Legion Riders Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison will host its 4th Annual Pig Roast beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at the post. Tickets are $15 and available at the door or from any Post 112 Legion Rider. Raffles also will be part of the fun. For details, call 440-724-6871.

24th Annual Golf Classic scheduled
The annual Col. J.M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League will host its 24th Annual Golf Classic beginning at noon July 27 at Madison Country Club.
Entrance fee is $120 per player and includes 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, lunch, cart and a steak dinner at gunny’s Hall immediately following the golf. Trophies will be awarded to the first-place team and numerous skills prizes, such as long drives, closest to the pin, etc., also will be awarded.
To play or to be a sponsor, call Gene Deka at 440-668-8777.

Classic Car Cruise in Euclid
The Euclid Veterans Association will host a Classic Car Cruise-In from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28 at Tizzano’s Party Center parking lot, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid, just south of Route 2.
Any and all classics up to 1979 are welcome. There is no charge for the show, but donations for the wounded will be gratefully accepted. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 cars.
Donations will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Veteran’s Best Friend. For details, call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.

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, July 3, 2013

Seeing the softer side of tough guys

I was moved by the kindness and genuine caring that was shown to Laurie Holt of Painesville when a group of Nam Knights spent a day on the road riding in from New Jersey.
The reason for the long ride was to present a signed poster to her in memory of her son, Lance Cpl. David R. Baker, USMC. The poster was signed over Memorial Day weekend by all Nam Knights in attendance at the annual Rolling Thunder gathering in our nation’s capital.
Holt met the group at the gates of Arlington National Cemetery during that weekend and asked that they remember her son, who was killed in action Oct. 20, 2009, in Afghanistan. Remember they did.
The group is composed of Vietnam Veterans and law enforcement officers who share a love of Harley Davidson motorcycles and helping veterans. The group is based primarily on the East Coast and has 46 chapters Visit the Nam Knights web page at www.namknights.org

Legion launches interactive website
The American Legion has launched a new interactive website that provides a way for veterans and their families to keep the memory of a veteran’s sacrifice alive. Visit www.legion.org/honor to check out stories, photos and videos of our nation’s heroes.

Catholic War Veterans seeking members
Catholic War Veterans Post 1959 of Lake County will host a membership/poppy drive, 50/50 raffle and TV raffle at the St. John Vianney Catholic Church Festival, Thursday through July 13; and at Lost Nation Airport in Willoughby July 12-14 for the Gathering of Eagles air show. For more information, call Second Vice Cmdr. Ken Kirchner at 440-257-2156 or cpd2195@yahoo.com.

Mentor post hosts reverse raffle
Mentor Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9295, 8682 Mentor Ave. in Mentor, will host a reverse raffle beginning at 5:30 p.m. July 13 at the post home.
The evening will include side boards, a 50/50 drawing and a $1,000 giveaway. Dinner will be served 5:30 to 7 p.m. followed by the drawing at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. For details, call the post at 440-255-3473 or Bud Spreng at 440-255-2917.

B-17 arrives early for flights
The B-17 Sentimental Journey will be on display and available for rides and tours at the Willoughby Lost Nation Municipal Airport beginning Monday. This bomber will be a part of the Gathering of Eagles air show that begins July 13.
The bomber was the primary bomber used by the American Air Force against Nazi Germany and is one of less than 10 that remain in flying condition today.
A flight in the historic plane starts at $425 per person. For flight reservations call 602-448-9415 or email b17rc@azcaf.org.

Gathering of Eagles returns
The Gathering of Eagles XVII Air Show will return to Willoughby Lost Nation Airport, July 13-14. The show will feature aircraft that have protected our freedoms and served our country.
Included in the show will be the B-17 and B-25 bombers. Also appearing will be Tuskegee Airmen, World War II re-enactors and a classic car show.
This year a Hangar Dance, featuring the Concord Community Band is from noon to 1 p.m. July 13 and the Erie Heights Brass Ensemble will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. July 14.
Adult admission to the air show is $13; juniors ages 4 to 12 years old, $7; and couples will be admitted for $25. Children under the age of 4 will be admitted free.

24th annual golf outing scheduled
The annual Col. J.M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League will host its 24th annual Golf Classic beginning at noon July 27 at Madison Country Club.
Entrance fee is $120 per player and includes 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, lunch, cart, and a steak dinner at Gunny’s Hall immediately following the golf. Trophies will be awarded to the first-place team and numerous skills prizes, such as long drives, closest to the pin, etc., also will be awarded.
To play or to be a sponsor, call Gene Deka at 440-668-8777.

Classic Cars Cruise-In to Euclid
The Euclid Veterans Association will host a Classic Car Cruise-In from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 28, at Tizzano’s Party Center parking lot, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid, just south of Route 2.
Any and all classics up to 1979 are welcome. There is no charge for the show, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 cars.
Donations will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Veteran’s Best Friend. For details, call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.

D-Day Conneaut includes patriotic quilts
Conneaut Quilters Guild will sponsor a vintage World War II quilt show Aug.16-17 at the D-Day Conneaut event. Sue Reich, a national authority on quilts of the era, will bring 40 vintage quilts from 1941 to 1945 with patriotic and military themes.
The quilt display will be part of the annual D-Day reenactment in Conneaut. For more information, visit www.coveringquilthistory.com or www.ddayohio.us.

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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