Singing the national anthem at public events should not be a part of the entertainment. Let me explain why I say this.
I spend a good deal of time at my sewing machine on the weekends and even though I am in a different room, I can hear the sports broadcasts on the TV in the den. Hearing “The Star Spangled Banner” four or five times in the span of a weekend is not unusual at my house.
In the past few weeks, I have noticed performers singing the national anthem attempting to “make it their own.” Stop it.
It is not a song to play with. It is the national anthem — sing it the way it is written. If you want to perform, then do it at halftime when it is expected and stop changing the anthem. It is disrespectful and rude.
As for those in the audience: Stand up, take your hats off and place your hand over your heart. It is not that difficult to show some respect for a few minutes.

Fish fry Friday in Fairport
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, hosts fish fry dinners every second and fourth Friday of the month. Lunch will be served from 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.

Veterans ID cards available at Recorder’s Office
The Lake County Recorder’s Office, 105 Main St. in Painesville, will continue to issue Veteran ID cards between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Veterans wishing to obtain their official photo ID card need to bring a legible original DD-214 and a photo ID with them to the office. For questions or more details, call 440-350-2510.

Cabbage roll dinner at Painesville VFW
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a cabbage roll dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at the post home. Donation is $6 per meal. For details, call the post home at 440-354-9090.

Burton post serves up breakfast
Atwood-Mauck American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancakes and sausage breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the post home. The adult breakfast will be $8; for children ages 12 and younger, the breakfast will be $5. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8765.

Willoughby Legion hosts Super Bowl party
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a Super Bowl party beginning at 6 p.m. Feb. 2. Tickets are $12 per person. Call 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m. to make a reservation.

Fifties dance at Wickliffe post
American Legion Post 7, 29919 Euclid Ave. in Wickliffe, will once again be the site for the Knights of Columbus’ 50s/60s dance. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Feb. 8. Food available will be $1 hot dogs and $2 hamburgers. The evening will include door prizes and a 50-inch TV giveaway. Tickets are $10 per person or $15 per couple. For information, call 216-355-4633.

Rolling Thunder offers valentine wishes
Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 will be visiting the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Feb. 9. The group will be visiting veterans with items related to Valentine’s Day. These visits are great morale boosters for the veteran patients. Stay tuned for more details about the visit.

Ladies host Chinese Auction and dinner
AMVETS Post 109, Ladies Auxiliary, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will host a Chinese auction and dinner Feb. 15 at the post home. Dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by the auction. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Dinner will include steak, potatoes, green beans, roll, salad and eclairs. For details, call the post at 440-257-9217.

Mass remembers Iwo Jima veterans
The annual Iwo Jima Remembrance Mass will be 8 a.m. Feb. 19 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 7575 Bellflower Road in Mentor. The Mass is open to the public. For details, call Art Holan at 440-951-6432.

Fundraiser for Boulevard of Flags
A Boulevard of 500 Flags fundraiser will be 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Patrician Party Center, 33150 Lakeland Blvd. in Eastlake.
Tickets will be $30 per person or $55 per couple. Children ages 12 and younger will be admitted for $15. Proceeds benefit the Boulevard of Flags in Eastlake. For tickets, call Ed Doherty at 440-796-5047 or Dennis Morley at 440-951-3934 or Joe D’Ambrosio at 440-946-4861.

Abbey Rodeo appears at Willoughby VFW
Willoughby VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will present its fifth annual fundraising dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. March 22 at the post. The evening begins with a spaghetti dinner, followed with entertainment by Abbey Rodeo. Proceeds from the event benefit “The Littlest Heroes”, VFW charities and local veterans in need.
Tickets are $18 per person. Because of advance ticket sales, tickets may not be available the night of the event. For tickets, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

Honor Flight now accepting applications
Are you a World War II veteran who would like to go to Washington, D.C., to see your memorial at no cost? Honor Flight Cleveland is now accepting applications for the 2014 flying year. This year, flights will begin on May 21. Applications need to be sent to Honor Flight Cleveland, 37 Levan Drive, Painesville, OH 44077. Applications can be found at www.HonorFlightCleveland.com or by calling 440-639-9368.

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.