The Fairport Harbor Mardi Gras has been an annual event for as long as I can remember. The big parade begins the fun that’s all wrapped around the Fourth of July weekend.
This year, there will be a special salute to veterans on July 4. The salute will begin with a mini parade at 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Fairport Harbor Veterans Park and ending at the Fairport Harbor lakefront. Each child in attendance will receive a flag, while supplies last.
The event has been organized by the Fairport Harbor Mardi Gras Committee and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 26 Gold Star post of Fairport Harbor.
Veterans of military posts from Fairport and Painesville will be recognized and veterans and their families will be treated to free hot dogs, chips and souvenir bottle of water. Vendors at the Mardi Gras will offer food and drink specials throughout the day.
For details, call Karen Bidlack at 440-251-3150 or Sharon Lowthian at 440-463-6903.

Young Marines looking 
for additional staff members
The Greater Lake County Young Marines is looking for additional staff members. A few staff positions are available and need to be filled.
If you enjoy working with kids and want to help mold the future leaders of America, the group needs you. Prior service in any branch of the military is preferred, but is not necessary. Female volunteers are especially encouraged to apply.
If you are interested, download an application at glcyoungmarines.org. A background check and references are required as part of the application process.
For questions or further details email xo@glcyoungmarines.org.

AMVETS offering free membership
AMVETS Perry Post 1971, Eastlake Post 946 and Willoughby Post 942, are offering free membership to any veteran who signs up between June 26 and July 7, 2014. For details, call the post at 440-259-5131.

Junior Girls host car wash
The Junior Girls Unit of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a car wash and bake sale from 1 to 3 p.m. June 28 at the post home. All are welcome. For details, call Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Madison post family picnic
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host the post picnic beginning at 1 p.m. June 28. Bring a dish to share and stay for Jungle Terry at 3:30 p.m. For more information, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Swiss steak on menu in Willoughby Hills
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 4358, 29412 White Road in Willoughby Hills, will host a Swiss steak dinner from 3 to 5 p.m. June 29 at the post home. Dinners are $9 per dinner.
For information or tickets, call the post at 440-944-1642 or Rosina Drenski at 440-944-4903.

Rotary motorcycle run in Geauga County
Burton-Middlefield Rotary will sponsor an escorted motorcycle run on June 29 at the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton beginning at 10 a.m. sharp.
The ride will be led by Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland with his dog Midge. The sheriff will take the participants on a 55-mile ride through Geauga County. Cost is $25 per motorcycle, which includes a rider for free.
The ride will benefit Burton-Middlefield Rotary Veterans Housing and Assistance Fund.
To date, the Rotary Club has raised more than $100,000 for Geauga County veterans through various projects, including the Geauga County Veterans Memorial, Giant Eagle Gift Cards for veterans, veterans housing and providing veterans with heating oil assistance this past winter.
Registration forms are available online. Participants also can register on the day of the ride starting at 8 a.m.

Catholic War Veterans membership drive
Catholic War Veterans Post 1959 will host a membership and poppy drive July 10 through 13 at the St. John Vianney Catholic Church Festival on the church grounds in Mentor.
Membership requires that a member be a practicing Catholic and be an honorably discharged or active duty veteran. Associate membership requires the member to be a practicing Catholic and have a direct relative or family member who served honorably in this country’s military.
For more information about membership, contact Ken Kirchner, second vice commander, at post1959.cwv.org.

Fifth annual Legion Riders pig roast
American Legion Riders Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, is getting ready for its fifth annual pig roast, beginning at 2 p.m. July 12 at the post.
Tickets are $15 per person and serving will begin at 3 p.m. There will be a live band, Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Legacy Scholarship Foundation, which helps the children of those parents killed while serving our country. Legion riders all across the country have been raising money for this fund since 2001.
For more information, call Tom Tamborski at 440-724-6871.

Gathering of Eagles returns 
Gathering of Eagles XVIII Air Show will be July 19 and 20 at Lost Nation Airport, 1969 Lost Nation Road in Willoughby. This year, the show will feature “Korea — the Forgotten War,” with many war birds from that era.
The Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center also will be at the show to help inform veterans of benefits they may be entitled to.
Interested veterans are asked to bring their DD214 (discharge papers) for assistance. Tickets are $13 per person, $25 for couples and children ages 4 to 12 years of age will be admitted for $7.
Proceeds of the show benefit the restoration of the last known restorable-to-flight B-29 “Doc.” Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

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.