The month of May is Military Appreciation Month.
The Friday before Mother’s Day is Military Spouse Appreciation Day and third Saturday of the month is Armed Forces Day, followed by Memorial Day the last Monday of the month.
This may be the only appreciation some military families get for their service. Take just a minute to think about what a military spouse gives up every time their spouse is transferred to a new duty station.
They give up friends and their job. The children give up school and perhaps the friendly support system built up over the time at that duty station. Yes, the choice was theirs, but this choice protects the freedoms we all share in.
Show appreciation to the living before they become a part of Memorial Day.

Boulevard of Flags Committee says Thank You
A heartfelt thanks from the Boulevard of Flags Committee to the 50-plus volunteers who came out May 10 to help raise the flags. The assistance as always was greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Biagio’s for providing the doughnuts.

Hambden church hosts bike blessing Sunday
Hambden Congregational Church, 13840 GAR Highway in Hambden Township, will host Rolling Thunder for a bike blessing and a veterans tribute service on May 18.
Motorcycles will gather on Chardon Square at 9:30 a.m. for departure at 9:45. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m.
A potluck picnic will follow at Hambden Township Park and participants are asked to bring a dish to share. Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be provided by the church. Cooking will be done by the Chardon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.
Cleanup and other assistance will be performed by the Young Marines.

PLAV Ladies host golf outing
The Ladies Auxiliary Chapter 31 of the Polish Legion of American Veterans will host a golf outing fundraiser at Briardale Greens Golf Course, 24131 Briardale Ave. in Euclid at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 17.
Proceeds will benefit the Greater Cleveland Fisher House. Tickets are $80 per person and include coffee, donuts, lunch at the turn, green fees and cart, followed by a full buffet dinner at PLAV Post 31, 850 East 200th Street, Cleveland. For tickets call Theresa Krysiak at 216-337-8997 or John Major at 216-337-8996.

336 Red-Eye poker Run 
Painesville American Legion Riders Chapter 336, 4th Annual “336 Red-Eye” Poker Run will begin at 10 a.m. May 17, with proceeds benefiting Honor Flight Cleveland. The run begins and ends at the post home, 60 Chester Street, Painesville. Tickets are $15 and are available at the post or from Steve Anderson at 440-209-8724.

DAV 7th Annual Run for the River
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 42, will present the 7th Annual Run for the River sponsored by V-Twin Cruiser MC, Saturday, May 17. The event starts at Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Boulevard, Mentor and will end at the Wagon Wheel in Madison. Staging begins at 9 a.m. Tickets are $8 per bike pre-sale and $10 day of the run.
Proceeds benefit Greater Cleveland Fisher House and DAV Chapter 42. For tickets call Mandi Thompson at 440-382-6818

Burton Legion Post hosts garage sale
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin Street, Burton will host a community garage sale, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17, at the post home. For details call Mike Karlinsky at 440-286-1202.
Catholic War Veterans membership drive this weekend
John Paul II Post 1959 Catholic War Veterans will have a membership and Poppy drive after Masses May 17 and May 18 at St. Bede the Venerable, 9114 Lake Shore Boulevard, Mentor. For further information call Ken Kirchner, second vice commander at 440-257-2156.

WAGS 4 Warriors meet and greet
Wags 4 Warriors will host a meet and greet at the new Painesville location, American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester Street, Painesville at 6:30 p.m. May 22. The hour long meeting will introduce the public to what Wags 4 Warriors does and membership.
The mission of WAGS 4 Warriors is to unite Veterans, whom upon returning home suffer with PTSD and/or TBI with an appropriate dog. At NO COST to the Veteran, WAGS 4 WARRIORS will provide all of the training, equipment and support for a dog to become the Veterans service dog. Businesses interested in donating or sponsoring the program are encouraged to attend.

Marine Corps League golf outing
The 25th Annual Marine Corps League Col. J.M. Chambers Golf Classic will begin with a shot gun start at noon, June 6, at Madison Country Club, 6131 Chapel Road, Madison. Tickets are $80 per person.  To sponsor a hole or for tickets call 440-974-9380, before May 26.

Singing Angels at Willowick Legion
American Legion Post 678, 570 East 328th Street, Willowick will host the Singing Angels at 6:30 p.m. June 7.  Tickets are $20 each and must be purchased in advance. Please call Kim Carroll at 440-567-9751 for tickets or American Legion Post 678, at 440-943-9659.

Legion Golf Outing June 7
American Legion Post 459, will host the Fifth Annual Golf Outing at 10:30 a.m. June 7, at Pleasant Hill golf Course in Chardon. Tickets are $70 per person. For presale discounted tickets or information call 440-897-2396.

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.