“Korea Reborn” is a beautiful book containing photographs of South Korea. The book is a then-and-now look at the progress the country has made since the Korean War.
The dedication written by the president of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye, is a public thank you to the veterans of that war.
Bud Spreng, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9295 in Mentor, brought the book to my attention. The books are being given to Korean veterans and family members of those veterans as a thank you from the South Korean government.
Spreng knows about Korea — he was there. I only learned exactly where in Korea he was as he was showing me the book. As a forward observer with the 27th Infantry 8th Field artillery Charlie Battery, Spreng was at Heartbreak Ridge and Bloody Ridge, two of the most famous battles of the Korean War.
Spreng earned a Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Campaign Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal and an overseas bar. Being able to look at the book and hear stories from a man who was there is priceless experience.
The Korean veterans have often been called the “Forgotten Ones,” but the people of South Korea have not forgotten how they remained free. This book gives credit to the American and United Nations forces that put their lives on the line to stop the spread of Communism — men like Bud Spreng.
The book is available at the post, 8682 Mentor Ave. in Mentor. Call the post at 440-255-3473 to reserve a copy.

Annual military show at Lakeland
The annual Militaria Collectors Show, presented by the Lakeland Community College Police Department, 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland, will be 5 to 9 p.m. March 21 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22 in the college’s Main Gym.
Adult admission is $4. This is a buy, sell or swap show and no firearms or ammunition will be permitted. The public is welcome and parking is free. For details visit lakelandmilitaryshow.info or call Dean Becker, of the Lakeland Campus Police Department at 440-525-7241.

Junior girls serve rigatoni dinner
The Junior Girls Unit of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a rigatoni dinner and bake sale, 1 to 4 p.m. March 23 at the post home. Dinners are $6. The girls range in age from 5 to 16 and are the daughters, sisters and granddaughters of men and women eligible to join the VFW. Funds raised will be used for their trip to the state conference. For details, call Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

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. Entry fee for chili will be $20; a bowl of chili will be $5. For details call Kevin Carroll, commander, at 440-567-1847.

Radio show highlights Vietnam veterans
Tom Swope’s “LEGACIES” radio show will feature local veterans of the Vietnam War during the month of April. The show airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings on WELW-AM 1330.
Since 2001, Swope has interviewed more than 450 veterans as a volunteer with The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. For information on participating in this project, call (440) 255-7410.

Pancake breakfast benefits Fisher House
Members of the local Kappa Sigma Chapter at Lake Erie College in Painesville will volunteer their time to host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 5 at the First Church of Christ, 422 Mentor Ave. in Painesville. The morning event will include a Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle.
Proceeds of the breakfast benefit Cleveland Fisher House. For details call 440-622-9312.

Burton post offers raffle and Chinese auction
The annual Oink and Squeal Party, Raffle and Chinese Auction at the Burton American Legion Hall, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will be 5 p.m. April 12. Raffle tickets are $2 each. Food will be available through the Legion kitchen.
Admission will be nonperishable food items, bath items or cash donations for the local food bank.
For tickets, contact any American Legion Ladies Auxiliary member or call the post home at 440-834-8621.

Blessing of the bikes at Willowick post
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a Blessing of the Bikes at noon April 13 in the parking lot. The lot will open at 10:30 a.m. with the blessing at noon. The event also will include vendors, food, music and raffles. All proceeds will benefit local veterans. For details, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Corporation donates to Fisher House
I-X Center Corp. donated $50,000 to benefit the Greater Cleveland Fisher House, which will be located on the grounds of the Cleveland Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Hospital. The donation was raised through contributions of attendees and a $1 donation from each military ticket sold at the I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama.

Auxiliary hosts sale
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a vendor, craft and garage sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26, in the post social hall.
Proceeds collected will benefit the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Charities. For details, call 440-943-9659 or 216-408-6284.

Rally for the Troops in Cleveland
The 12th Annual Rally for the Troops will be 11 a.m. April 27 at Cleveland Public Square. There is no cost to participate and the public is welcome. For details or further 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.