Blogs > At Ease with Larece Galer

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, September 26, 2013

New veteran ID card a real keeper

Geauga County Recorder Sharon Gingerich and Geauga County Veterans Service Commission will be helping to make obtaining veterans benefits a little bit easier.
The new Geauga County Veterans I.D. Card program will kick off 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, at the Recorder’s Office, 231 Main St. in Chardon.
Veterans Service officers will be available to answer questions about veterans benefits and to help a veteran obtain a certified copy of their DD-214.
Enjoy hot coffee and doughnuts, while you are waiting for the I.D. card and ask questions of the Veterans Service Officers about benefits you may have earned while serving your country.
The cost of the card is $1 and will be made while you wait. A veteran will need an original DD-214 and two forms of identification. If the DD-214 is already on file with the Recorder’s Office all that is needed is the I.D.
The card is about the same size as a driver’s license and will make proving an honorable discharge easier, this on going program will be available for veterans anytime during business hours. Many stores and restaurants offer discounts to veterans if the discount is requested, and this will help make it easier to obtain those.
For details about the Geauga County Veterans Card, call 440-279-2020.
If you are a local establishment that offers discounts to veterans, send the details to the Staff of At Ease at lgaler@news-herald.com, we can include them at a later date.

Sub Zero Mission
wants to stuff the bus

The Crossroads Plaza Fair and Sub Zero Mission are sponsoring Stuff the Bus, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday at 34500 Euclid Ave. in Willoughby. Gently used adult men and women’s coats, sleeping bags, sweatshirts, fleece, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets and New socks are needed to help the sheltered and unsheltered homeless this winter. One-fifth of homeless are veterans.
Sub Zero Mission is dedicated to the idea that “Nobody Should Freeze to Death in America”

Tri-C military friendly school for fifth year
G.I. Jobs has named Cuyahoga Community College a Military Friendly School for 2014. This is the fifth consecutive year that Tri-C has ranked in the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide that demonstrate strong efforts in recruiting and retaining military and veteran students.

Fairport fish fry open to all
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, hosts fish fry dinners every second and fourth Friday of the month. Lunch will be served 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.

Rock-A-thon
benefits hospice

The annual Rock-A-Thon in front of the Perry AMVETS Post 1971, 4129 Main St. in Perry, will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The rockers will rock to raise money for Hospice of the Western Reserve.
This will be the 17th year that the Ladies Auxiliary of the Post has rocked to raise money for the hospice. The Rock-A-Thon has raised nearly $60,000 in the past 17 years.

Meet Gunny’s Hall
new chef

Meet the Chef Dinner Party at the Col. Justice M. Chambers Det. 555, will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor. The party will introduce new Chef Thomas Boothe and will be an evening of fun.
Tickets are by advanced sale only and are $25 each. For tickets, call 440-974-9380.

Auxiliary hosts
spaghetti dinner

The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville will host a spaghetti dinner beginning at 5 p.m., Saturday at the post. The public is welcome. For details, call 440-354-9090.

Salad buffet card party
The annual auxiliary salad buffet card party will be 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 4, at the American Legion Post 7, 29919 Euclid Ave. in Wickliffe.
Tickets are $9 each and may be obtained by calling Lucille Greig at 440-944-9732.

Eastlake post hosts
annual clam bake

The third annual VFW Post 3863 Ladies Auxiliary Clam Bake will be 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5, at the post, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake.
Chicken dinner will be $19; steak dinner will be $21 and an extra dozen of clams is $7. For details, call the post at 440-942-3980 or Jera at 440-477-8301.
Tickets must be purchased at the post by today.

Flag Burial Ceremony
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Road in Mentor, will host a flag disposal ceremony at 2 p.m. Oct. 12, at the post home. If you have old American Flags that need to be disposed of drop them off at Post 40 for proper disposal. For details, call the post home at 440-257-5825.

VFW hosts annual
clam bake

Chardon VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host the annual clam bake, 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26, at the post home. Tickets are $25 per person and $10 for extra clams. The event is presale only before Oct. 20. For information or tickets, call 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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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Talk your way to a national contest

The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.
Last year, Carly Nelson of Wickliffe High School was the Ohio representative to the national contest. The American Legion looks forward to producing another state finalist this year.
The Lake/Geauga counties contest will be Nov. 17 at Wickliffe Senior Center, 900 Worden Road in Wickliffe.
Interested students must register with Gary A. Minadeo, Lake County oratorical chairman, before Nov. 13.
Visit the website at www.legion.org/oratorical for more information or call Minadeo at 440-840-6164 or via email at happy2help@att.net.

Fish fry in Willoughby
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.

Gunny’s Hall open for meals
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, is again serving 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 kitchen will be open daily, serving lunches 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu will include a daily special and regular menu items.
Fish fry meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays at the hall.
For details or questions, please call 440-974-9380. Meals are open to the public.

Sub Zero Mission
golf outing Saturday

The Second Annual Sub Zero Mission charity golf outing will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday 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 the homeless and the 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.

POW/MIA Day program
at National Cemetery

The Cost of Freedom, a POW/MIA Day Program, will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road in Rittman.
Presented by Rolling Thunder Inc. Chapter 8, the featured speaker will be Dr. Stephen P. Johnson, historian for Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office.
For details call Becky Blackmore at 330-723-0116 or Gloria Richards at 330-483-4322.

17th annual
Rock-A-Thon in Perry

The annual Rock-A-Thon in front of the Perry AMVETS Post 1971, 4129 Main St. in Perry, will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28. The rockers will rock to raise money for Hospice of the Western Reserve.
This will be the 17th year that the Ladies Auxiliary of the Post has rocked to raise money for the hospice. The Rock-A-Thon has raised nearly $60,000 in the past 17 years.

Meet the new chef
Meet the Chef Dinner Party at the Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555 will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 28, at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor.
The party will introduce new Chef Thomas Boothe and will be an evening of fun.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $25 each. For tickets, call 440-974-9380.

Annual auxiliary salad
buffet and card party

The annual auxiliary salad buffet card party will be 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 at American Legion Post 7, 29919 Euclid Ave. in Wickliffe.
Tickets are $9 each. Tickets may be obtained by calling Lucille Greig at 440-944-9732.

Clambake at Eastlake post
The Third Annual VFW Post 3863 Ladies Auxiliary Clambake will be 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the post, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake (behind the old Walgreens).
Chicken dinner will be $19; steak dinner, $21; and an extra dozen clams is $7.
For details, call the post at 440-942-3980 or Jera at 440-477-8301.
Tickets must be purchased by Sept. 27, and can be purchased at the post.

All-you-can-eat chili and soup dinner in Burton
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host an all-you-can-eat chili and soup dinner at the post from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19.
Call Bo for details at 440-834-8764.

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, September 11, 2013

Who was George G. Lucky?

Every week, this column gives me a surprise. I never know what is coming my way.
This week was no exception. An email came from Max Poorthuis, requesting that I ask readers if anyone knew anything about another young man named Private First Class George C. Lucky. What struck me was the fact that Max had adopted the grave of Pfc. Lucky in the American Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.
Poorthuis, 20, is a health sciences student at the University of Twente in the Dutch city of Enschede. He has had an interest in World War II for eight years after seeing the mini-series “Band of Brothers.”
He has visited Normandy each year since and has met members of the group that formed the basis for the movie.
Poorthuis has adopted seven graves in American cemeteries and is working to find out about each of the men buried in them. It is a Dutch tradition to adopt the graves and Poorthuis is trying to learn about the men.
“To this day, I still do not know much about Pfc. Lucky,” Poorthuis said.
Lucky is known to have served with the 16th Infantry. He was born somewhere in Ohio in 1922. Lucky enlisted in the Army on May 6, 1943, from Cleveland. He lived in Cuyahoga County before he left for Europe.
Lucky was killed in action on Nov. 26, 1944, near the German town of Hamich.
This is all Poorthuis has to go on. If you knew Pfc. George Lucky, Poorthuis would like to speak with you about the man in the grave.
“I am doing all this because I adopted the mission of securing the memory of these men,” Poorthuis said. “Adopting their graves is the least I can do. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

Lakeland dedicates veterans lounge
Lakeland Community College will dedicate the new Veterans Lounge for students who served in the military at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 19. The lounge is located in E Building, Room E-117.
Lakeland has been named a Military Friendly School for 2014. This is the fifth year that the college has been awarded the distinction by G.I. Jobs magazine.

Willoughby post offers fish fry dinners
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 the post home at 440-951-9233.

Sunday breakfast and daily lunches now served
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, is again serving an all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast 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 lunches daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu will include a daily special and regular menu items. Both the breakfast and daily lunches are open to the public. For details or questions, please call 440-974-9380.

Fairport post serving fish on Fridays
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will again host fish fry dinners every second and fourth Friday of the month. Lunch will be served 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.

Golf outing benefits food bank and others
American Legion Post Jay Wilson 112 of Madison will host a golf outing for members and guests at 1 p.m. Sunday. The golf outing will raise funds for the charities program.
Donations of door prizes, and hole sponsorships for $25 each are needed.
All proceeds will benefit the Madison Food Bank and other community programs.
Tickets are $65 per person. For more information, call the post at 440-428-7893 or Frank Magda Jr. at 440-796-3562.

Poor Man’s Raffle at Willowick Legion
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.
Proceeds will benefit American Legion charities. Tickets are available at the canteen or from any SALs member.

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 at 1 p.m.
The outing will benefit Sub Zero Mission, a charity to prevent freezing and injury caused by extreme weather exposure to the homeless and the 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 game of the day 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 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.

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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Make new member welcome

The weather is cooling off, but events at area posts are heating up. The calendars are beginning fill with all sorts of dances, dinner specials and fund raisers.
These events are the perfect opportunity to reach out to a younger veteran and his or her family. Ask that veteran to an event, introduce him to other members and make him or her feel welcome.
The posts offer something for everyone, and making that new member feel an immediate part of the post home is important in building membership and maintaining active members.
If a member does not feel like a part of the event, then a return visit is unlikely. If your post is using some creative ways to introduce veterans to membership, please email me at lgaler@news-herald.com and let me know what you are doing to gain and keep members.
 
‘Connected Warriors’ in Chagrin Falls
Vietnam vet Bob Conway, U.S. Marine Corps, and his wife, Betsy, have started an Ohio Chapter of “Connected Warriors.” All vets and immediate family members are invited to attend free yoga classes taught by Betsy, a certified yoga instructor, starting at 2 p.m. today at Federated Church in Chagrin Falls. Mats and T-shirts will be provided. For more information, call 561-926-4886 or by email at indigo1950@gmail.com.
 
Pancake breakfast benefits Sub Zero
Sub Zero Mission will host a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kirtland Community of Christ church, 9017 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland. A “freewill” donation will help Sub Zero Mission prepare for the winter months by helping with the purchase of warming items for the area homeless. For details, call Liz Cimaglio at 440-452-4947.
 
Breakfast at Gunny’s Hall is back
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, is again serving 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 lunches daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu will include a daily special and regular menu items. Both meals are open to the public. For information, call 440-974-9380.
 
Flag retirement ceremony Sunday
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9295 of Mentor and Boy Scout Troop 75 will perform a flag retirement ceremony at noon, Sunday at Veterans Park, 5730 Hopkins Road in Mentor. The public is welcome to attend.
 
Veterans Memorial Park Day at Progressive Field
Ohio Veterans Memorial Park Day at Progressive Field will be Sunday. The Cleveland Indians will play the New York Mets beginning at 1:05 p.m. Use code OVMP to get the discount pricing. Lower reserve seating will be $29 and mezzanine seating will be $24, $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Veterans Memorial Park.
A special veteran will throw out the first pitch. A picnic lunch is also available at an additional cost. Visit www.ovmp.org to order tickets or call 330-773-2385 for more information.
 
Madison post hosts golf outing
American Legion Post Jay Wilson 112 of Madison will host a golf outing for members and guests at 1 p.m. Sept. 14. The golf outing will raise funds for the charities program, benefiting the Madison Food Bank and other community programs.
Donations of door prizes, and hole sponsorships for $25 each, are needed. Sponsors’ names will be posted on the post website at www.americanlegionjaywilsonpost112.org with links to sponsor websites.
Tickets are $65 per person and include a steak dinner, hot dog and pop at the turn. For details call the post at 440-428-7893 or Frank Magda Jr. at 440-796-3562.
 
Auxiliary hosts spaghetti dinner
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 4358, 29412 White Road in Willoughby Hills, will host spaghetti dinner 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 15 at the post home. The dinner is $8 per person and reservations by Sept. 11 are requested. Please call Rosina Drenski at 440-944-4903 or the post at 440-944-1642. Proceeds will benefit needy families through the Auxiliary Christmas Projects.
 
Poor man’s reverse raffle at Willowick Legion
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 678, 579 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a poor mans 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., and food, beverages and side boards will all 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., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
Proceeds 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 detachment
Col. J.M. Chambers, Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a cornhole tournament fund raiser 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.
 
Ohio Women Veterans Conference Sept. 28
The Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus will be the site for the Ohio Women Veterans’ Conference. Registration will be 8 to 10 a.m., followed by the conference from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28.
Advance registration is recommended by visiting www.ohiovet.gov click on the link “Women Veterans Advisory Committee”
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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