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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, August 28, 2013

New post a positive move

A new American Legion Post is starting at Lake Erie College in Painesville. The post will not have a building, a bar or a hall. What it will have are members who are dedicated to helping one another and the community that they live in.
This new post will meet in a classroom on campus, where I am certain that the members are spending a lot of time studying for their new careers. The new American Legion members will be able to concentrate efforts on community projects and not on maintenance of a post home.
The fact that younger veterans are not feeling a connection at established posts is not new, it happened once before. Veterans returning from Vietnam experienced the same feelings. How do I know this? I witnessed that disconnect first-hand at a post I belonged to at the time.
The product of that general disconnect became Vietnam Veterans of America. The VVA has grown over the years and taken a place in the veteran community. The VVA helps provide a greater public awareness to issues unique to the Vietnam veterans.
Congratulations to the 25 young veterans who will be the charter members of the post.

School supply donations accepted
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will collect school supplies for needy students that will be delivered to the schools on Wednesday. Help a student and donate a few school supplies. For details, call 440-942-7762.

Fish dinners at Willoughby Post
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 440-951-9233.

Gunslingers at Gunny’s Hall
The 2013 Northcoast National Gunslinger championships will be Saturday and Sunday at the Marine Corps League, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor.
The event will be at Gunny’s Hall and include the Buckeye Rangers Fast Draw Club. This event is sanctioned by the Ohio Fast Draw Association-International. For details, call Brian “Doc” Hric at 440-478-7480 or Rich Enneper at 216-396-1586.
Contestant fee is $15, with the championships being an elimination style event.

Catholic War Veterans membership drive
Catholic War Veterans Post 1959 of Lake County will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 1730 Mount Carmel Drive in Wickliffe, for all Masses Sept. 7 and 8 for a membership and poppy drive. For details, call Ken Kirchner, second vice commander, at 440-257-2156 or email him at cpd2195@yahoo.com.

Willoughby post offers annual cabbage roll dinner
Palmer-Roberts American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host its annual cabbage roll dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at the post home. The dinner will be served as long as there is food. Tickets are $7 per person and takeout orders will be available. For details, call the post home at 440-942-7762.

Mentor VFW serving clambake
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 9295, 8682 Mentor Ave. in Mentor, will host a clambake and Chinese auction on Sept. 14. Tickets must be purchased in advance before Sept. 10. The full clambake is $21 and a chicken dinner is $12. No tickets will be sold after Sept. 10.
For tickets or more details, call 440-255-3473 between 1 and 10 p.m.

SALs host poor man’s raffle
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 678, 579 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a Poor Man’s Reverse Raffle at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 20 at the post home. Tickets are $10 each and only 200 tickets will be sold. The first ticket will be drawn at 7:45 p.m. Food, beverages and sideboards all will be part of the fun. Proceeds will benefit American Legion charities. Tickets are available at the canteen or from any SALs member.

Golf outing benefits Sub Zero Mission
The Second Annual Sub Zero Mission charity golf outing will be 11:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at Madison Country Club, 6131 Chapel Road in Madison. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the shotgun start will be 1 p.m.
The outing will benefit Sub Zero Mission, a charity to prevent freezing and injury caused by extreme weather exposure to homeless and financially destitute Americans, with a special focus on military veterans.
For details, call Del Bethel at 440-286-1387 or 440-622-4157 or email to del@subzeromission.org.

Cornhole tournament at Marine Corps League
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 fund raiser and $5 tournament) To register in advance or for details, 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.

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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Save the Bomber Plant

The Willow Run Bomber Plant sits just outside of Detroit and has two months to remain standing.
The Save the Bomber Plant campaign hopes to keep at least a portion of the former General Motors plant alive with the aircraft of the Yankee Air Museum’s flying collection and the museum’s static collection.
The Willow Run Bomber Plant was the workplace of Rosie the Riveter.
The Ypsilanti Township plant was built in 1941 and at the peak of production built one B-24 Liberator bomber an hour. Women who joined the work force during the war were the majority of the 40,000 workers at the 332-acre plant.
Following the war, it became a GM power train manufacturing plant and operated for 50 years before closing in 2010.
Efforts to save a portion of the plant as the new home for the Yankee Air Museum already have raised just over half of the $8 million needed to obtain a portion of the plant for the museum.
The trust overseeing the GM bankruptcy has granted a two-month extension to help raise the necessary funds.
To help Save the Bomber plant, visit SaveTheBomberPlant.org. 

Sentiments for Soldiers
collecting for holidays

Kirlin’s Hallmark store at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor is accepting donations to help purchase boxes of Christmas and holiday cards for the troops.
The assorted boxes regularly retail for $9.99, but will be sold for a $5 tax-free donation when purchased for Sentiments for soldiers now through Aug. 31.
For details about the program, visit www.kirlinshallmark.com.

Sampson Air Force Base reunion
The 24th annual reunion of Sampson Air Force Base veterans will be Sept. 22-25 at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center in Hudson. The three-day event will include day trips and dinners.
For details about the reunion, call Walt Steesy at 607-532-4204 or email SAMAFBvet@aol.com.

Blue Star museum in Lake
The Lake County History Center will again be a Blue Star Museum from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 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 wanted
Korean War veterans and Korean service veterans are encouraged to consider a 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. in Euclid.
For membership information, visit www.kwva.org or call the national membership office at 217-345-4414.

Quilts part of D-Day weekend
Conneaut Quilters Guild will sponsor a vintage World War II quilt show Friday and Saturday 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 information, visit www.coveringquilthistory.com or www.ddayohio.us.

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

Legion Riders host panty run
American Legion Riders of Post 112 will host a panty/poker run Saturday, with the first bike out at noon.
Sign-ups will begin at 11 a.m.
Tickets are $10 for riders and $5 for passengers. Cost of an extra card will be $5 and the last bike in will be at 6:30 p.m.
There will be a meal served at the end of the run.
Proceeds from the run will benefit the Forbes House in Painesville. Donations of new undergarments for women and children will be accepted.
Please come and enjoy the day and the ride while supporting a worthy cause.

Veterans dinner a family affair
A Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Wednesday 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 their service.
Register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food and staff.

Wags 4 Warriors golf outing
Red Mill Miniature Golf Charity Outing, with proceeds to benefit Wags 4 Warriors, will be 3 to 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at the course, 4243 Red Mill Valley Road in Perry.
Hole sponsorships are available for $10 per hole and may be obtained by calling Joyce or Bob at 440-259-4211.
The entry fee for golfers is $5 and the evening include entertainer Tom Todd from 7 to 8 p.m. Putt for prizes, enjoy a cookout and more.

Sub Zero Mission
golfs for warmth

The second annual Sub Zero Mission Charity Golf Outing will be 11:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at Madison Country Club, 6131 Chapel Road in Madison.
The format will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start, four-person scramble with range balls included. Individual and team prizes will be awarded.
For tickets and information call Del Bethel at 440-286-1387 or 440-622-4157 or email to del@subzeromission.org.

Cornhole tournament scheduled
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 details, 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.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Homefront lonely for brides

Imagine being married only two months and then not seeing your husband for almost four years. That is how marriage began for Marilyn Johnson of Perry Village.
Vaughn and Marilyn Johnson of Perry were married on April 5, 1942, and just two months later Marilyn was living alone in the young couple’s home. Vaughn had left for the Army and would be gone 41 months.
Marilyn is typical of thousands of World War II wives who kept the country going while the men were off fighting.
“Now and then he would come home before he left for Europe, the worst part was being by myself, I missed him terribly,” Johnson said. “The days were long, the nights were long.”
The two corresponded while Marilyn spent her days as a weaver at the Industrial Rayon Plant in Painesville Township. She left the job in 1944, when many of America’s men were returning home.
Many of the women who went to work in the industrial plants of this country returned to being wives and mothers full time when the war ended.
Vaughn Arthur Johnson completed 41 months of service and was awarded two bronze stars and several other medals. He came home and resumed his life, working at the Rayon plant until his retirement in 1985.
The couple have been married 71 years.
Sentiments for Soldiers now in 10th year
Kirlin’s Hallmark is pleased to announce the 10th year of the Sentiments for Soldiers program. Your local Kirlin’s Hallmark store will be accepting donations to help purchase boxes of Christmas and holiday cards for our troops. The assorted boxes regularly retail for $9.99, but will be sold for a $5 tax-free donation when purchased for Sentiments for Soldiers, which runs through Aug. 31. Through your generous donations, Kirlin’s has collected more than 2.75 million Christmas cards that have been sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, and to military hospitals in the United States, and with your help, Kirlin’s hope to add to that number.
Kirlin’s Inc. will accept financial responsibility of sales tax, packaging and shipping of the cards.
For more information, please visit the website www.kirlinshallmark.com.
GI get-together in Burton
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a GI get-together from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday 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 Lake County Fair
Veterans Day at the Lake County Fair will be Wednesday. 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, 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.
World War II quilts to be displayed
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.
Burton Legion offers annual steak dinner
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 440-834-8764.
Free veterans 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 their service.
Register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food and staff.
Golf outing benefits Wags 4 Warriors
A charity golf 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. Hole sponsors are also needed for the event. For details, call Joyce or Bob at 440-259-4211.
Cornhole tournament at Gunny’s Hall
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 fund raiser and $5 tournament) To register in advance or for more information, call 440-974-9380.
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 more information, call Walt Steesy at 607-532-4204 or email SAMAFBvet@aol.com.
To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.,: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, 44094.

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