Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 of Ohio members gathered at the Eastlake Dog Park and War Dog Memorial on the morning of Aug. 16.
The nine members cleaned up the memorial area and planted bushes and flowers. They will next be scheduling a flag raising ceremony at the memorial.
This group is active in veteran affairs and is always doing something to help the veterans and promote the idea that we can never forget the POW/MIAs that never returned home.
Chapter President Winston Bailey and the Rev. Jim Cozzarin were in Columbus Aug. 13, for the official unveiling of the new POW/MIA Ohio License plates. Now any Ohio auto or motorcycle owner can express the sentiment of Rolling Thunder with a vehicle plate featuring the POW/MIA flag likeness.
Perhaps the greatest legacy Rolling Thunder can leave is the peaceful demonstration that occurs each year on Memorial Day weekend when an estimated one million motorcycles descend on our nation’s capital to remind this country’s lawmakers and the nation that there are still empty places at dinner tables all over this country that belong to men who did not return.

Fisher House fundraiser
at Fairport VFW Post
Lake County Veterans Service Office and VFW 7754, Men’s and Ladies Auxiliaries in Fairport have teamed up to raise funds for the Greater Cleveland Fisher House. A reverse raffle and dinner will be Sept. 6 at the VFW post, 540 New St.
Tickets are $30 per person and include dinner, open bar and a ticket on the main board. Any donations for the auction would be greatly appreciated.
The Fisher House is hoping to break ground in spring 2015. For details on the event, to make donations or to get tickets, call Gini Geffert at 440-289-5699 or the VFW post at 440-352-1123.
For more information about Fisher House, visit www.greaterclevelandfisherhouse.org.

Burton Legion to host 
Patriot Day program
American Legion Post 459, of Burton, will host a Patriot Day Program at 11 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Burton Village Gazebo, in Burton. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.

Fish fry meals return 
to Fairport VFW
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will begin serving fish fry lunch and dinners Sept. 12  at the post home. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.

Gunny’s Hall hosts clambake
A clambake will be served Sept. 13 at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor. Reservations are needed by Sept. 6. The bake will begin at 3 p.m. and offer side boards and a 50/50 raffle. Dinner will be served at 4 p.m. Dinners are $28 per bake, and extra clams will be $7. For reservations, call 440-974-9380.

Shannon McBride Scholarship
fundraiser on Sept. 13
A fundraiser for the Shannon McBride Scholarship endowment at Lakeland Community College (Jim McBride Basic Police Academy scholarship; Fairport Harbor Police Association and CPD Pipes and Drums Band Uniform Fund) will be 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Fairport VFW, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
The event will include country and Western bands, and the Cleveland Police Pipes and Drums. Tickets are $20 per person. See Jim McBride or FHPD Chief Mark Kish for tickets or email chiefjtm@aol.com.

POW/MIA, Remembrance and Flag retirement in Painesville
VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St., Painesville, will host a 9/11 Remembrance, POW/MIA Recognition and Flag Retirement Program at the post home, at 6 p.m. Sept. 14. The public is welcome. For details, call George or Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Civil Air Patrol serving spaghetti dinner at Painesville Post
Painesville Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron 252 will host a spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Sept. 20, at the American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. The public is welcome, and proceeds will benefit Civil Air Patrol programs.
For details, call Ken Voyticky at 440-655-6600.

Veterans’ Appreciation Day
set for Sept. 26 
A Veterans Appreciation Day is planned Sept. 26 at American Legion Post 336, Chester St. in Painesville. The event will be hosted by the Painesville VA Clinic and will include prizes, food, guests, a color guard, benefit information and flu shots. All veterans are welcome. For details, call the Painesville VA Clinic at 440-357-6740.

Rock-A-Thon an annual 
fundraiser at AMVETS
The 18th annual Rock-A-thon to benefit the Hospice of the Western Reserve Peaceful and Proud Program, will be Sept. 27, in front of the Perry AMVETS Post 11971, 4129 Main St. The post is looking for sponsors and rockers for the event. For details, call 440-259-4242.

Legion Hall for rent
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, has a hall for rent. The hall has a capacity for 200 people and is ideal for wedding receptions, parties etc. Photos are available at post678@sbcglobal.net or for information 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.

The War Dog Memorial at 35576 Lake Shore Blvd. in Eastlake will be getting a makeover on Aug. 16.
The memorial honors the four-legged heroes of this country’s conflicts.
At 9 a.m., members of Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 will begin cleaning up the memorial. The group will be clearing out weeds, removing overgrown plants and replacing them with new plants and mulch.
A new donated flagpole will replace the existing pole and new emblems for Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan will be installed.
Rolling Thunder plans to host a flag-raising ceremony once the work is completed.

90 years old, still flying high
Russell M. Schupp of Grand River Village is one of the “Greatest Generation.”
He was classified a 4-F — unfit for military service — after attempting to join the armed forces during World War II. Since he was not able to join, he became a civilian volunteer with the American Field Service. He drove an ambulance in Italy.
Nothing keeps him down. After the war, he raised a family, traveled and has loved adventure. He has tried parasailing, hot air ballooning and camel riding in Egypt.
Since he had tried just about everything, his daughter, Rachel Parsons, asked if there was anything left on his “bucket list.” The answer was to ride in a helicopter.
On Aug. 7, in honor of his 90th birthday, Schupp boarded a helicopter and toured the fair skies of Cleveland. As I said before, nothing keeps him down.

Fundraiser helps build Fisher House
The Lake County Veterans Service Office and the Men’s and Ladies’ Auxiliaries of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754 in Fairport Harbor have teamed up to raise funds for the Greater Cleveland Fisher House.
A reverse raffle and dinner will be Sept. 6 at the VFW post, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor. Tickets are $30 per person and include dinner, open bar, and a ticket on the main board. Any donations for the auction would be greatly appreciated.
The Fisher House is hoping to break ground in spring 2015. For details on the event, to make donations or to get tickets, call Gini Geffert at 440-289-5699 or the VFW post at 440-352-1123.
For more information about Fisher House, visit www.greaterclevelandfisherhouse.org.

Willoughby Legion hosts golf outing
The annual American Legion Post 214 golf outing will be at noon Aug. 22 at Lost Nation Golf Course, 38890 Hodgson Road in Willoughby.
Tickets are $45 per person and include 18 holes of golf, a steak dinner and prizes at the post following the outing.
Put together a foursome, they do not need to be a Post 214 members. All profits will benefit Buckeye Boys State and Americanism and Government Testing. For details, call the post at 440-942-7762.

Willoughby VFW serves fish fry dinners
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, hosts a fish fry every first and third Friday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m. A full menu is offered. For details, call 440-951-9233 or stop in at the post for a meal.

Fairport fish fry returns Sept. 12
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will begin serving fish fry lunches and dinners Sept. 12 at the post home. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.

Gunny’s Hall hosts clambake
A clambake will be served at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor, on Sept. 13. Reservations are needed by Sept. 6.
The bake will begin at 3 p.m. and offer side boards and a 50/50 raffle.
Dinner will be served at 4 p.m. Dinners are $28 per bake and extra clams will be $7. For reservations, call 440-974-9380.

Shannon McBride Scholarship fundraiser Sept. 13
A fundraiser for the Shannon McBride Scholarship endowment at Lakeland Community College (Jim McBride basic police academy scholarship; Fairport Harbor Police Association and CPD Pipes and Drums Band Uniform Fund) will be 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Fairport VFW, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
The event will include country and western bands, and the Cleveland Police Pipes and Drums. Tickets are $20 per person. See Jim McBride or Fairport Harbor Police Chief Mark Kish for tickets or email chiefjtm@aol.com

Remembrance ceremony Sept. 14 at Painesville VFW
VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a 9/11 Remembrance, POW/MIA Recognition and Flag Retirement Program at the post home, at 6 p.m. Sept. 14.
The public is welcome. For details call George or Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Civil Air Patrol serves up spaghetti
Painesville Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron 252 will host a spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville.
The public is welcome. Proceeds will benefit Civil Air Patrol programs.
For details, call Ken Voyticky at 440-655-6600.

Day for Appreciating Veterans 
A Veterans Appreciation Day is planned for Sept. 26 at American Legion Post 336, Chester St. in Painesville.
The event will be hosted by the Painesville Veterans Affairs Clinic and will include prizes, food, guests, a Color Guard, benefit information and flu shots.
All veterans are welcome. For details, call the Painesville VA Clinic at 440-357-6740.

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.

Operation S.T.A.T. members and friends will be climbing on their motorcycles and into their cars on the morning of Aug. 10 to ride about three and a half hours north to Chesterfield, Michigan.
The purpose of the ride is to wish a happy birthday to a World War II veteran who resides in that town.
Carroll “Super G” Dick was instrumental in the development of the fuse that detonated the atom bomb. He will celebrate his 105th birthday, and had ask that people just send cards. Operation Standing Tall for American Troops decided to visit and deliver their personal greetings.
Dick worked on the Manhattan Project with 2,000 others at the Los Alamos, New Mexico, facility during World War II.
The birthday ride from Ohio to Michigan came about through a mutual friend of Operation S.T.A.T. founder Adam “Rain Man” Cook.
Anyone who would like to wish a happy birthday to the World War II veteran is welcome to meet the group at McDonald’s at 7575 Auburn Road in Concord Township at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 10. People who want to travel to Michigan will be asked to car pool for the trip. The group will leave at 9 a.m. for Michigan with an expected arrival time of 1:30 p.m.
For details about the ride and the surprise for one of the “Greatest Generation,” call Adam “Rain Man” Cook at 440-413-6225.

Fisher House fundraiser Sept. 6
The Lake County Veterans Service Office and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, Men’s and Ladies Auxiliaries, in Fairport Harbor, have teamed up to raise funds for the Greater Cleveland Fisher House.
A reverse raffle and dinner will be Sept. 6 at the VFW post, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor. Tickets are $30 per person and include dinner, open bar, and a ticket on the main board. Any donations for the auction would be greatly appreciated.
The Fisher House is hoping to break ground in spring 2015. For details on the event, to make donations or to get tickets, call Gini Geffert at 440-289-5699 or the VFW post at 440-352-1123.
For more information about Fisher House, visit www.greaterclevelandfisherhouse.org.

GI get-together
GI get-together with coffee and doughnuts will be 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 at American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton.
For details, call Frank at 440-834-8038.

AMVETS host open house
AMVETS Post 109, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will host a summer open house and cookout from 2 to 8 p.m. Aug. 9 at the post home. Buck a bone ribs and burgers and 50 cent hot dogs will be served. A disc jockey and live music will be a part of the fun. Bring a DD214 and learn how to join or about the other ways to be a part of the AMVETS even if you are not a veteran. Representatives will be available to answer any questions. For more information, call 440-257-9217.

Chardon Auxiliary hosts Chinese auction
The Ladies Auxiliary of Chardon VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 9 at the post home. All are welcome. For details, call the post home at 440-285-3699.

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

Veterans Day at the fair
The Lake County Fair will again set aside a day to honor our veterans.
At the 2014, that day is Aug. 13. Veterans will be admitted free all day with ID.
The Lake County Veterans Service Office will present a veterans program at 6 p.m. the same day at the Belcher Pavilion near the Commercial Building.

Newbury Legion hosts BBQ chicken dinner
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, will host a barbecue chicken dinner in the Hunter Pavilion behind the post from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 15.
Dinners are $15 at the door or $12 in advance. Barbecue chicken dinners are half price for those ages 12 and younger, or they receive a free hot dog dinner. An adult egg hunt scramble will begin at 7 p.m. with a $10 entry fee. Call 440-635-6390 or 440-269-3184 for information about the event.

Post 112 annual golf outing
American Legion Post 112 of Madison will host an annual golf outing at 10:45 a.m. Aug. 16 at Powderhorn Golf Course, 3991 Bates Road in Madison.
Tickets are $50 per person and include golf, steak dinner and door prizes. Sign up at 10:45 a.m. the day of the event, with an 11:30 a.m. tee time. Sign up a foursome at the canteen by Aug. 11.
Call Frank Magda at 440-796-3562 with questions.

D-Day re-enactment in Conneaut
D-Day Conneaut will return August 22 and 23 to the Conneaut Township Park to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
The event is free and open to the public.
Spectators will be overlooking the water’s edge from a position similar to that of Omaha Beach. Landing craft will storm the shore as aircraft such as P-51 Mustangs and a B-25 bomber make low passes over the landing site and a Sherman tank provides cover fire.
Free parking and shuttles will be available. For details visit www.ddayohio.us.

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.