I have received several calls recently about flags being improperly flown along Route 20 from Painesville into the Mentor area. I understand the frustration of some of the callers.
The weather has been inclement and the flag should not be flown during these conditions unless it is an all-weather flag.
If the flag has become tattered or faded, it is best to take it down and either replace it or fly none at all.
The United States Flag Code Title 4, Section 6, paragraph (A) spells out how the flag should be illuminated and when.
Paragraph (C) explains the proper time and occasions for display.
If you are unsure, check out “The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions” online at http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf.
With spring so close, be sure to get the new flags ready for the days when sunshine will replace snowfall.

Fairport fish fry
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will host a fish fry Feb. 28 at the post home. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner 4 to 7 p.m. Shrimp dinners also will be offered.
For details, call the post home at 440-352-1123.

Painesville Legion serving 
Sunday breakfast
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will be serving breakfasts from 9 to 11:30 a.m. each Sunday through the end of May.
The menu will contain meals ranging in price from $3 to $6. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Junior girls serve dinner
Painesville VFW Junior Girls Unit 2585, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a rigatoni dinner and bake sale from 1 to 4 p.m. March 2 at the post home. Dinner will be $6 and includes rigatoni, meatballs, salad and bread. For details, call the post home at 440-354-9090.

Lucky Shoots Saturday 
in Madison
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host Lucky Shoots beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturdays through March 15. Sign-ups begin at 9 a.m. and breakfast for the shooters is $2.50; breakfast for everyone else is $5. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Veterans dinner 
offered in Kirtland
Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served beginning at 6 p.m. March 19 at Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland. The dinner is free for veterans and their families. This is a family event to bring together area veterans in appreciation of their service. The dinner also will offer activities for children. Please register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food. For details, call 440-463-5400.

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

Chili cook-off at Willowick post
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a chili cook-off at 3 p.m. March 23 at the post home. Entry fee for chili is $20 and to try a bowl, the cost will be $5. Call Kevin Carroll, commander, for information about the cook-off at 440-567-1847.

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.

Berkshire High School students Cassandra Cameron and Michelle Sohm brought home honors for their performance with the Americanism and Government Test sponsored by the American Legion.
Both girls won at the post, county and district levels. The district includes five Northeast Ohio counties. The two received certificates of winning at the county level and a plaque for winning their respective grade levels. Cassandra won at the 12th-grade level and Michelle at the 10th-grade level.
“The Americanism Test allows students to showcase the excellent effort they have put forth in their studies to understand the way our government functions on federal, state and local levels.” said Eric Higgs, U.S. government instructor at Berkshire High School. “The test also allows the American Legion and our school to work together to build a relationship that promotes citizenship and involvement on all levels of government.
American Legion Post 459 sponsored the test at Berkshire High School.

Breaded pork chop dinner at Painesville VFW
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a breaded pork chop dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at the post home. Dinners are $10 each. For details, call the post home at 440-354-9090.

Willoughby VFW serves fish
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will host an all-you-can-eat pollock fish fry on the first and third Fridays of each month. The menu includes a large selection of items in addition to fish. For more details, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

Honor Flight benefit Sunday
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host Ladies and Gentlemen Aveda Salon and Spa for a charity benefit beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Men’s and women’s haircuts will be offered for a donation. There will be food and entertainment with all proceeds benefiting Honor Flight.
Help our World War II veterans see their memorial in Washington, D.C.
For more information, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Abbey Rodeo to perform at Willoughby post
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will host its fifth annual fundraising dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. March 22.
Abbey Rodeo will entertain following the dinner.
Tickets are $18 per person and may not be available at the door.
For tickets or more information, call 440-951-9233.

Veterans Hospitality Dinner in Kirtland
A Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served to area veterans and their families beginning at 6 p.m. March 19 at Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland.
The free dinner is in appreciation of the veterans’ service.
Please register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food.

Chili cookoff at Willowick post
American Legion Post 678, 579 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a chili cookoff at 3 p.m. March 23. Entry fee for the event will be $20 and chili will be $5 per bowl. For details, call Cmdr. Kevin Carroll at 440-567-1847.

Chinese auction at Jefferson Eagles
A Chinese auction at the Jefferson Eagles will be hosted by the Ashtabula Marine Corps League and the Young Marines on April 12. Donations would be most welcome. Please email lukejr68@gmail.com for details about donations.

12th Annual Rally for the Troops
The 12th Annual Rally for the Troops will be 11 a.m. April 27 at Cleveland Public Square. This is a free event. For more information call John “Kiks” Kikol at 440-263-8121 or kiksharley@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, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

The posts and detachments in this area are committed to the communities they serve. Mentor American Legion Post 352 has taken community outreach to a new level. The February meeting of the post went to the community, as members met at Emeritus at Mentor.
“At one of our meetings, veterans in Mentor’s several assisted living homes were discussed and how we could reach out to them,” said Doug Koman, commander of Post 352. “We voted to hold a meeting at Emeritus as a way to let them know they are not forgotten by their “brothers.”
The February meeting was the first and judging by the residents’ reaction, there will be more meetings at senior residences in the area. The residents seemed pleased with the event.
A widowed resident said she had never been to a meeting while married to her late husband and she was thrilled to finally find out what he was doing all those years. The comment brought a little giggle to everyone in the room.
The post originally was chartered in 1938; Gen. Newell Bolton purchased the Special District School building on Hopkins Road for the American Legion, according to Mentor Monitor articles of the day.
Post 352 sold the building to the city of Mentor in the late 1960s, when the structure was used as a police station. In 1982 the building was razed and Mentor Cemetery enlarged.
Mentor American Legion 352 regularly meets at the Mentor Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9295, 8682 Mentor Ave. in Mentor. For membership details, contact Cmdr. Doug Koman at 440-257-9077 or via email doko715@aol.com.

Rolling Thunder has a heart for Vets
Valentines for Veterans was the theme at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center when members of Rolling Thunder chapters 1 and 8 made a visit on Sunday. Armed with candy, stuffed animals, snack crackers and hand-knitted lap blankets, the members offered smiles and salutes to the hospitalized veterans.
The visits offer camaraderie with fellow veterans for those who are hospitalized. Rolling Thunder returned Thursday with pizzas from Mama Roberto’s in Mentor and more items for the veterans. This visit was in honor of Hospitalized Veterans Awareness Week.

Big Boy night at Eastlake post
American Legion Post 678, 579 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a “Big Boy” night 5 to 8 p.m. today at the post home. “Big Boy” baskets with fresh cut fries and coleslaw will be offered for $6 each. For details, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Perch fry in Fairport
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will serve a perch fry at the post home today. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner will be 4 to 7 p.m. The public is welcome. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.

Chinese auction at AMVETS
The Ladies Auxiliary of AMVETS Post 109, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will host a Chinese auction and dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at the post home. Dinner will be served 5 to 7 p.m. and the auction will follow. Tickets are $15 per person or two for $25. Only 100 tickets will be sold. For tickets or details, call 440-257-9217.

Cabbage roll dinner served by North Coast Veterans
North Coast Veterans will host an old fashioned cabbage roll dinner 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Justin Martyr’s Lambur Hall, 35781 Stevens Blvd. in Eastlake. Adult dinners will be $7 and senior dinners $6. A children’s portion will be available for $4. For details, call Rudy Baitt at 440-742-0203.

Valentine dinner dance at Gunny’s Hall
Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a Valentine’s Day dinner and dance, beginning at 5 p.m. with cocktails and followed by dinner at 6 p.m., Saturday at Gunny’s Hall. Call 440-974-9380 for reservations.

Men’s auxiliary hosts breakfast benefit
VFW 8548 Men’s Auxiliary, 7604 Lake Road E. in Madison Township, will host a sausage gravy, biscuit, potatoes and scrambled egg breakfast 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the post home. Takeout orders will be available. For details, call 440-428-3050. Proceeds will benefit the men’s auxiliary, local food bank and the scholarship fund.

VFW hosts breakfast
VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will serve breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. at the post home Sunday For details, call the post home at 440-354-9090.

Mass in remembrance of Iwo Jima
The Annual Iwo Jima remembrance Mass will be 8 a.m. Wednesday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 7575 Bellflower Road in Mentor. For details, call Art Holan at 440-951-6432.

Veterans Hospitality dinner in Kirtland
A Veterans Hospitality dinner will be served beginning at 6 p.m. March 19 at Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland. The free dinner and dessert is a family event. Please register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food.

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.

Events at local posts are slow this time of year.
A few will be observing Valentine’s Day with dinners and dances.
Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 will be visiting the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center with valentine-themed goodies for the patients.
In only a few weeks, all of the posts will be gearing up for the annual pancake breakfasts to celebrate spring. The Lenten fish fry dinners also will be starting soon.
Could spring be just around the corner?

Madison Legion hosts 
Lucky Shoot Saturdays
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host Lucky Shoots each Saturday through March 15 at the post home. Sign-ups begin at 9 a.m.
Breakfast will be served at a cost of $2.50 for shooters and $5 for everyone else.
For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Willoughby VFW serves fish fry
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, hosts a fish fry dinner on the first and third Fridays of each month at the post home.
There is a large selection of menu items and something for everyone.
For details, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

Mentor AMVETS steak dinner
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Drive in Mentor, will host a steak dinner every second Saturday at the post home.
The dinner is $12 and the public is welcome. For details call 440-527-1911.

Ladies Auxiliary hosts 
Chinese auction
AMVETS Post 109 Ladies Auxiliary, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will host a Chinese auction and dinner 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at the post home.
Only 100 tickets are sold for this event.
For tickets or further details ,call the post home at 440-257-9217.

North Coast Veterans 
cabbage roll dinner
North Coast Veterans will host an old fashioned cabbage roll dinner 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 15, at St. Justin Martyr’s Lambur Hall, 35781 Stevens Blvd. in Eastlake. Adult dinners will be $7 and dinners for seniors will be $6.
For those ages 12 and younger, a half-size adult meal will be $4.
For details, call Rudy Baitt at 440-792-0203.
Takeout is available.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day 
at Gunny’s Hall
Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance at Gunny’s Hall. Cocktails will begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6.
Tickets are $15 each or two for $26. Other entrée options are available.
For reservations or more information, call 440-974-9380.

Mass remembers Iwo Jima 
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 will pay tribute to those lost during the Iwo Jima battle.
For details, call Art Holan at 440-951-6432.

Fundraiser benefits 
Boulevard of 500 Flags
The Boulevard of 500 Flags will host a fundraiser from 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Patrician Party Center, 33150 Lakeland Blvd. in Eastlake. Tickets are $30 each or $55 per couple.
The evening will include a dinner, Chinese auction, door prizes, side boards, and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets can be purchased at Eastlake City Hall or by calling Ed Doherty at 440-796-5047; Dennis Morley at 440-951-3934; or Joe D’Ambrosio at 440-946-4861.

Chardon VFW begins 
pancake breakfasts
Chardon VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon beginning Feb. 23 and continuing for eight Sundays.
This is an all-you-can-eat breakfast and pancakes will include plain, blueberry and apple flavors.
The breakfast is open to the public.
For details, call 440-285-3699.

Veterans Hospitality 
Dinner in Kirtland
A Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served to area veterans and their families beginning at 6 p.m. March 19 at Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland.
The free dinner is in appreciation of the veterans’ service.
Please register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food.

Abbey Rodeo to perform 
at Willoughby post
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will host its fifth annual fundraising dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. March 22.
Abbey Rodeo will entertain following the dinner.
Tickets are $18 per person and may not be available at the door.
For tickets or more information, call 440-951-9233.

Honor Flight 
accepting applications
Honor Flight Cleveland is now accepting applications for the 2014 flying year.
The flights begin May 21 and will continue until November.
If you are a World War II veteran and would like to go to Washington, D.C., to see the memorial at no
cost, complete an application for the trip.
If you have a special guardian in mind to travel with you, their application also needs to be submitted as soon as possible.
Applications are available 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.