The Memorial Day weekend is behind us and summer seems to have popped up all of a sudden. With the extended weekend came the usual cookout and family gathering.
The AMVETS Memorial Day parade in Mentor-on-the-Lake included a tandem olive drab colored truck that carried Mentor-on-the-Lake City Councilwoman Desirea Thompson and some of her supporters.
The truck brought my father to mind, as it was the same model he drove while in the Army and courting my mother. I am told he paid a visit in the huge lumbering vehicle at 2 in the morning and was refused at the door by my somewhat peeved grandmother. I never did find out if she was mad because he parked on the front lawn or because of the hour of the visit.
The fact that my parents were married for 56 years before my father’s death leads me to believe that Grandma was not as mad as she led us to believe.
Parades were not the only form of remembrance taking place in the area. Volunteers from Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League planted more than 700 geraniums at Mentor Cemetery on May 17 to honor those who would be remembered on May 26 during Memorial Day ceremonies.
May is coming to an end and June will begin in just a few days, and with that comes Flag Day. The day, June 14, is set aside to proudly fly the American flag. Be sure the flag you fly is in good repair and not faded or worn. Flag Day is a time to reflect on our freedoms and the principles of our great nation.

Survival Straps all-American product 
I recently received a sample of an American-made product called Survival Straps. The bracelets, key chains and lanyards are manufactured in the United States with American-made materials.
The paracord is made from military-specification parachute chord and can be ordered in colors with emblems supporting first responders, military services or a favorite charity.
If needed, the bracelets can be used in an emergency, since they offer several feet of military-spec 550 parachute chord when untied. If you use the strap in an emergency, you can mail your story to the company. In exchange for the story, they will replace the Survival Strap for free.
For details and more information about this all-American product, visit survivalstraps.com or call 800-971-3360.

Ohio Veterans Bonus deadline approaching
Veterans who served in Iraq between 2003 and 2011 have until Dec. 31, 2014, to apply for the Ohio Veterans Bonus and receive a financial award for their wartime service. Eligible veterans must have served between March 19, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2011.
The bonus is open to veterans who served anywhere in the world during the time of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The amount of the bonus is higher for those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. It is also open to the next of kin of those who were killed in action or died of disease as a result of in-theater service. The bonus is not subject to federal or state taxes, and can be used for any purpose.
For more information, call 877-644-6838 or visit veteransbonus.ohio.gov or visit any County Veterans Service office.

Men’s Auxiliary offers hot dog or burgers for dinner
The Men’s Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a hot dog or hamburger dinner May 31 at the post home. The dinner is $4 per person and includes potato or macaroni salad. For details, call the post home at 440-354-9090.

Cabbage roll dinner at Madison post
The Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a cabbage roll dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. May 31 at the post home. Dinners are $10 per person.

Job fair offered at Madison American Legion
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a job fair for American Legion members and families from noon to 2 p.m. June 5 at the post home. Positions available are manufacturing and warehouse jobs located in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties.
Recruiters and applications will be available during the event.

Singing Angels perform at Willowick Post
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host the Singing Angels at 6:30 p.m. June 7. Tickets are $20 each and must be purchased in advance. Heavy appetizers, lemonade, ice tea and coffee will be served. Please call Kim Carroll at 440-567-9751 for tickets or American Legion Post 678, at 440-943-9659.

Ohio traveling wall at Painesville Legion
Painesville American Legion Riders Chapter 336 will host “A Remembrance Tribute to Ohio Veterans” at 1 p.m. June 7 at Brakeman-King Post 366, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. The event will feature the Ohio POW-MIA Vietnam Memorial Wall and a ceremony dedicated to our veterans presented by Rolling Thunder, Inc. Chapter 5 Ohio.
This event is open to the public and will include lunch kiosks, Veterans Affairs information and sign-up, games for the kids and a dinner following the ceremony.
For details, call Steve Anderson at 440-413-1055 or Mike Bodnar at 440-346-2141.

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.