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.