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Larece Galer brings you the latest military news. 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.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

High school senior walks with history

Mary Wessell became involved with the Ashtabula County Young Marines when it began five years ago. The involvement led the Geneva High School senior to a scholarship and a trip to Guam and Iwo Jima.
The trip and a $1,000 scholarship came after she was chosen as the outstanding female in the Young Marines program. Only 10 Young Marines nationwide are selected.
The trip allowed the high school senior to learn about the battles that took place on those two islands from World War II veterans of both sides at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
“During my trip, I was truly walking with history,” Wessell said. “I learned more about World War II than I would from any history book.”
Wessell took advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by listening to the veterans’ stories.
“I noticed that each and every veteran was extremely humble, they did not believe they were heroes,” Wessell said. “They agreed that the true heroes were the ones who never returned home.”
Wessell learned firsthand what it was like on the island 69 years ago from those veterans. One U.S. Army veteran told stories as they walked together along the beaches. After the conversation, the veteran’s son told Wessell that it was the first time his father had ever spoken about the time he spent on the island.
Wessell intends to continue her education with a double major in political science and international relations while pursuing a career through the Navy or Air Force ROTC program.  She is the daughter of Kenny and Judy Wessell of Geneva and serves as the Ashtabula County Young Marines Unit sergeant major.

Fairport post serves breakfast
Lenten breakfast “Great Slam” at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754 will be served 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through April 13, at the post home, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor. Adult breakfasts will be $6 and breakfast for children ages 10 years and younger will be $4. Takeout will be available. For details, call the post home at 440-352-1123.

Willowick Korean War veterans wanted
Korean War veterans living in Willowick are asked to contact the mayor’s office. The veterans will be invited to speak with eighth-graders at Willowick Middle School and share their experiences with the students. Call 440-585-3700 if you are interested in this project.

Men’s Auxiliary hosts dinner
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a roast pork dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. March 29 at the post home. Dinners will be $10 each. For details, call the post at 440-354-9090.

Radio show to feature Vietnam veterans
The “LEGACIES” radio show at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on WELW-AM 1330 will present stories from veterans of the Vietnam War through the end of April. Stories have been forwarded to the Library of Congress for inclusion in the Veterans History Project. To participate in the project, call 440-255-7410.

Tri-C to offer financial guidance to vets
The Cuyahoga Community College Veterans Initiative will offer financial guidance to veteran and military families April 4 during an afternoon event at the Western Campus, 11000 Pleasant Valley Road in Parma. The free program “Balancing the Budget on the Home Front” will be 1 to 5 p.m. in Room A227 of the Health Careers Building. For more information, call the College’s Veterans Initiative at 216-987-3193.

Breakfast benefits Greater Cleveland Fisher House
Members of Kappa Sigma Chapter at Lake Erie College will volunteer their time to host a pancake breakfast as part of the organization’s Spring Semester International Day of Service. The breakfast will be served 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at the First Church of Christ, 422 Mentor Ave. in Painesville. Proceeds of the breakfast will benefit Greater Cleveland Fisher House.

Catholic War Veterans membership drive begins
Catholic War Veterans Post 1959 will host a membership/poppy drive at Masses April 5 and 6, at St. Mary’s Chardon, 401 North St. in Chardon. Members must be practicing Catholics and have a direct relative who served honorably in the United States military. For details, call Ken Kirchner, second vice commander at 440-257-2156 or email cpd2195@yahoo.com.

Burton post hosts breakfast
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 6. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8765.

Annual Oink and Squeal Party April 12
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host the annual Oink and Squeal Party beginning at 5 p.m. April 12 at the post home. Raffle tickets are $2 each. Food will be available through the legion kitchen. Admission is a nonperishable food item or cash donation to benefit the local food bank. For tickets or details, call 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 in the parking lot on April 13. The parking lot will open at 10:30 a.m. with the blessing at noon. The event will include vendors, food and music. All proceeds will help local veterans.

Auxiliary hosts annual Chinese auction
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a Chinese auction at 1 p.m. April 13 at the post home. Tickets are $5 per person. Admission includes 10 auction tickets, dessert and coffee. Donations are being accepted. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

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.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Book thanks veterans of Korean War

“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.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Rolling Thunder plans fundraiser for Fisher House

Rolling Thunder Ohio Chapters 1 and 8 will participate in the Piston Power show at the I-X Center, March 14-16. They will be collecting funds for the Greater Cleveland Fisher House.
The effort is sponsored by the Medina Veterans of Foreign Wars and the three-day event will include a color guard, opening and closing ceremonies, speakers and an auction for a Johnnyville Slugger bat. Narration of the Missing Man Table will be done each day by Rolling Thunder.
Fisher House will be built near the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center and will house the families of military veterans undergoing treatment at the center.
For details about Fisher House, call 440-377-0067 or email stokesfisherhouse@gmail.com.

Book is a thank you to Korean veterans
“Korea Reborn, A Grateful Nation” is now available at VFW Post 9295, 8682 Mentor Ave. in Mentor. The book is free to any Korean veteran or their families. This book is a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the end of hostilities and is a thank you to the soldiers who helped keep South Korea free.
For details, call the post home at 440-255-3473 after 1 p.m.

Eastlake post cancels St. Patrick’s Day dinner
VFW Post 3863 in Eastlake has canceled the St. Patrick’s Day dinner originally scheduled for March 15. Call the post for further details at 440-942-3980.

Rigatoni rescheduled
Because of the power outage on March 8, the Junior Girls of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, rescheduled the rigatoni dinner. The dinner will be 1 to 4 p.m. March 23. The dinner is $6 and proceeds raised will be used for their trip to the state conference. For details call Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Men’s Auxiliary serves breakfast
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 8548, 7604 Lake Road E. in Madison Township, will serve a sausage gravy, biscuits, potatoes and scrambled egg breakfast with coffee and juice from 8 a.m. to noon March 16 at the post home.
Adult breakfast will be $5 and breakfast for children ages 10 and younger will be $3.50. Takeout orders will be available. Proceeds will benefit the men’s auxiliary, food bank and the scholarship fund. For details, call 440-428-4467.

Painesville Legion serving Sunday breakfast
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will be serving breakfasts from 9 to 11:30 a.m. each Sunday through the end of May.
The menu will contain meals ranging in price from $3 to $6. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Lucky Shoots Saturday in Madison
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host Lucky Shoots beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturdays through March 15. Sign-ups start at 9 a.m. and breakfast for the shooters is $2.50; breakfast for everyone else is $5. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Veterans dinner offered 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 dinner is free for veterans and their families. This is a family event to bring together area veterans in appreciation of their service. The dinner also will offer activities for children. Please register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food. For details, call 440-463-5400.

Abbey Rodeo appears at Willoughby VFW
Willoughby VFW Post 1500 will host its fifth annual fundraising spaghetti dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. March 22 at the post, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby. Entertainment by Abbey Rodeo will follow dinner. Proceeds from the event benefit The Littlest Heroes, VFW charities and local veterans in need.
Tickets are $18 a person and might not be available the night of the event because of advance sales. For tickets, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

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 at the post home. Entry fee for chili is $20 and to try a bowl, the cost will be $5. Call Kevin Carroll, commander, for information about the cook-off at 440-567-1847.

Oink and Squeal Party
Ladies Auxiliary Unit of American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin Street in Burton, will host an Oink and Squeal Party, raffle and Chinese auction beginning at 5 p.m. April 12 at the post home.
Raffle tickets are $2 each. Admission is a nonperishable food item, bath item or cash donation for the local food bank. Food will be available through the American Legion kitchen. For details, contact any Ladies Auxiliary member or call the post home at 440-834-8621.

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

Vendor, craft and garage sale at Willowick post
American Legion Unit 678 Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor a vendor, craft and garage sale 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 in the post social hall, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
Proceeds collected will go to the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Charities. It’s all about the veterans. Please call 440-943-9659 or 216-408-6284 to reserve a table.

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.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

War changed fashion

I think by this time everyone knows that I am a sewaholic, a history buff and love learning about the past.
A recent conversation about war rationing piqued my curiosity about how war rationing affected clothing and how the women of this country managed during those years to clothe their families while the men were at war. I found that the “Make Do and Mend” program published helpful pamphlets about the subject.
Both America and Great Britain had programs that urged the public to “Make Do and Mend.”
The American War Production Board, nicknamed “Old Snip, Snap, the Government Shears,” enacted Limitation Order L-85. The order, which was an effort to conserve materials for the war effort, directed the yardage allowed in clothing, how many belt loops were allowed and how many buttons could be used. The directive suggested the length dresses should be and mandated men’s trousers were no longer allowed to have cuffs.
A pamphlet I found online from this time period is titled Make and Mend for Victory, Book No. S-10. The pamphlet, which sold for 10 cents, is 50 pages of hints and tips on how to resize a man’s suit into a woman’s outfit, how to make accessories, information on mending and darning and how to make your own clothes. This pamphlet helped those at home stretch the ration coupons just a little further.
The rationing efforts of World War II helped to usher in the American sportswear market. Metal and rubber were rationed, if available at all. Buttons were limited by rationing and zippers became more common. Cork was used in footwear, replacing rubber. American designers were no longer overshadowed by the Paris design houses, and the American designs made use of the materials that were available during the war. The skirts got shorter, the shoulders narrower and pants for women became more common than ever before.
How lucky can we be in this day and age when we can hop in the car, drive to the nearest mall and buy new items? Just imagine not being able to buy anything without that ration stamp, as all purchases were limited by the number of ration stamps you were issued. Creative Americans all pulled together for the war effort and American fashion changed in the process.

Eastlake VFW cancels fish fry March 14
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, has canceled the fish fry dinner scheduled for March 14. Please check with the post for a new date.
The post will serve corned beef dinners and sandwiches 4 to 7 p.m. March 15. Dinners will be priced at $8 and sandwiches will be $5. On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, only sandwiches will be served between 1 and 7 p.m. For details, call the post at 440-942-3980.

Mentor AMVETS hosts steak dinner
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Drive in Mentor, will host a steak dinner 5:30 to 8 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at the post home. Dinners are open to the public and are $12 per person. For details, call the post at 440-527-1911.

Painesville Legion serving Sunday breakfast
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will be serving breakfasts from 9 to 11:30 a.m. each Sunday through the end of May.
The menu will contain meals ranging in price from $3 to $6. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Lucky Shoots Saturday in Madison
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host Lucky Shoots beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturdays through March 15. Sign-ups start at 9 a.m. and breakfast for the shooters is $2.50; breakfast for everyone else is $5. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Veterans dinner offered 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 dinner is free for veterans and their families. This is a family event to bring together area veterans in appreciation of their service. The dinner also will offer activities for children. Please register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food. For details, call 440-463-5400.

Abbey Rodeo appears at Willoughby VFW
Willoughby VFW Post 1500 will host its fifth annual fundraising spaghetti dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. March 22 at the post, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby. Entertainment by Abbey Rodeo will follow dinner. Proceeds from the event benefit The Littlest Heroes, VFW charities and local veterans in need.
Tickets are $18 a person and might not be available the night of the event because of advance sales. For tickets, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

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 at the post home. Entry fee for chili is $20 and to try a bowl, the cost will be $5. Call Kevin Carroll, commander, for information about the cook-off at 440-567-1847.

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

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.

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