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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.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Posts, detachments busy places to be

Posts and detachments in the area will be busy places, with members distributing holiday baskets and angel tree gifts during the coming week. Special events like Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve gatherings are planned at most of the posts for the members.
The beginning of a new year is about two weeks away, so remember the troops and their families.
Those of you who are working at the post and detachments giving a Christmas to someone else, take time yourself and have a great holiday season and a safe New Year.

Veterans get help 
with snow removal
Project Evergreen has partnered with BOSS Snowplow to connect military families with snow and ice management professionals and volunteers to provide free snow and ice removal services.
Now beginning its fifth season, SnowCare for Troops will now offer services to wounded and disabled veterans. The snow removal services will be provided for a nine- to 12-month period once a match is made. Active-duty military members are eligible during deployments.
For details about the program, call 877-758-4835 or visit info@projectevergreen.org.

Legion has 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.

Military honor guard available
American Legion Post 459 of Burton-Middlefield has a military honor guard unit that will perform full military honors at the funeral of any honorably discharged service person upon their passing.
The honor guard can be reached at 440-834-8764. If no one answers, please leave a message.

Gunny’s Hall breakfast buffet
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a Sunday breakfast buffet that is open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. The cost is $7.50 per person and special orders are available. For details, call the hall at 440-974-9380.

Willoughby post hosts 
fish fry dinner
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, hosts a fish fry every first and third Friday of the month 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.

Painesville Junior Girls Unit 
serves breakfast
The VFW Post 2595 Junior Girls Unit will host a breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at the post home, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville. Donation is $5 and the breakfast will include scrambled eggs, pancakes and sausage.
The girls, ages 5 through 16, are the daughters, sisters and granddaughters of men and women eligible to join the VFW. Funds raised will be used for the Cancer Aid and Research Program. For details, call the post home at 440-354-9090.

Benefit for Devine family at Willoughby VFW
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby will host a benefit at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 for the family of Nicole Devine.  Devine was the victim of a homicide in Willoughby in November.
Tickets for the event are $15 and include an Italian dinner, with live musical entertainment. All money raised from the event will go to Nicole’s family to help with expenses.
For details, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

Dinner benefits Gathering of Eagles Air Show
The United States Aviation Museum, sponsor of the Annual Gathering of Eagles air show, will host a pasta dinner at La-Vera Party Center, 32200 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills, from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7.
Tickets are $30 each. All proceeds will benefit the Gathering of Eagles air show.
For information, call Don Manno at 440-442-4151.

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.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Movie keeps actors young

Pearl Harbor Day, on Dec. 7, was spent doing the usual chores that I do on Sunday and thinking about my uncle who was killed during the attack.
That evening, “From Here to Eternity” aired on one of the movie channels and I sat down to watch it. I have seen this movie a great many times — so many times that I can recite dialogue.
The movie has become a staple in the Pearl Harbor Day lineup on Turner Classic Movies. Of course, how could a movie be anything but great with leading characters played by Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, Ernest Borgnine and Frank Sinatra? The leading men playing to beautiful leading ladies Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed would have to make for a great movie.
Frank Sinatra gave a superior performance as “Maggio” in the film. He won an Oscar for the part and revived a somewhat lagging career. Today, Dec. 12, would have been Sinatra’s 99th birthday. For some of us, he will always be the young Pvt. Maggio from the movie.  

Veterans stories wanted
To be a part of the Veterans Hall located above Arabica Coffee House in Willoughby, scan and email a photo with a short story about your service years to kennygodnavec@yahoo.com or drop it off or mail it to Arabica, Attn.: Kenny Godnavec, 4148 Erie St., Willoughby, OH 44094. Or call 440-749-3423 for more information.

Sunday breakfast at Gunny’s Hall
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a breakfast buffet that is open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
The cost is $7.50 per person and special orders are available. For details, call the hall at 440-974-9380.

AMVETS host steak dinner
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Drive in Mentor, will host a steak dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month (Oct. 11; Nov. 8 and Dec. 13) at the post home. Dinner is $12 and is open to the public.
For details, call 440-527-1911.

Fairport post cancels fish fry
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, has cancelled the fish fry scheduled for Dec. 12. For details, call 440-352-1123.

Donations for Christmas project requested
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, is asking for donations for the annual Christmas benefit project. This year, the unit has a special request: One of the families that the auxiliary adopted is in need of an electric stove and a refrigerator. If you are able to assist in a donation of this kind, please contact the post after 3 p.m. to make arrangements.
The auxiliary also is collecting gifts, food and cash donations to help the families have a Christmas. Donation deadline is Dec. 17. Call the post for more information after 3 p.m. at 440-942-7762.

Donate to Toys for Tots
Red Roof Inns are one of the many drop -off locations for Toys for Tots.
During the holiday season, Red Roof Inn sponsors the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation so that the tradition of giving hope and smiles to children will continue. Red Roof locations in the Cleveland area will collect new unwrapped toys in the lobbies through Dec. 15.        

 Willoughby VFW will host benefit
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will host a benefit beginning at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 for the family of Nicole Devine, who was the victim of a homicide in Willoughby. Tickets are $15 and will include an Italian dinner with live musical entertainment. All money raised from this event will help the Devine family with expenses. For details or tickets, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

Dinner benefits gathering
The United States Aviation Museum, sponsor of the Annual Gathering of Eagles air show, will host a pasta dinner at La-Vera Party Center, 32200 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills, from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7. Tickets are $30 each. All proceeds will benefit the Gathering of Eagles Air show.
For information, call Don Manno at 440-442-4151.

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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Thursday, December 4, 2014

Stockings for Soldiers grows in community

DeJohn Funeral Homes and Crematory’s annual “Stockings for Soldiers” program has gained community support.
More than 600 filled stockings were picked up by soldiers from the Youngstown Air Force Station on Nov. 26. The stockings will be delivered to various events and to local armories leading up to the holidays.
The filled stockings will be given to local troops returning from six-month deployments overseas. Stockings are being distributed to soldiers returning home because of the drawdown of overseas troops.
The Willoughby-based business has sponsored this program since 2008 as part of its veterans and memorial care services supporting active military as well as local veterans.

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 and other events. Photos are available at post678@sbcglobal.net ,or for information, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Breakfast at Gunny’s Hall
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a Sunday Breakfast Buffet that is open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. The cost is $7.50 per person and special orders are available. For details, call the hall at 440-974-9380.

Madison VFW hosts meals
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8548, 7604 Lake Road E. in Madison, will host the monthly Ladies Auxiliary dinner on the first Saturday of each month at the post home. The ladies will serve dinner 4 to 7 p.m. each first Saturday. Proceeds benefit VFW Auxiliary charities.
The post hosts a hamburger night from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday, and from 8 a.m. to noon the third Sunday of each month, the Men’s Auxiliary serves a biscuit and sausage gravy breakfast for $5. For details about the events, call the post home at 440-428-3050.

Volunteers needed to decorate for Pearl Harbor Day
Decorating for the Annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Dinner will begin at 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at Hellriegel’s Inn, 1840 Mentor Ave. in  Painesville Township. Volunteers will be welcomed.
The dinner on Dec. 7 will begin at 1700 hours (5 p.m.) with an open bar, followed by a steak dinner at 1800 hours (6 p.m.).
The guest speaker will be retired Col. Timothy Gorrell, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. Spouses and attendants are welcome.
Tickets are $35 per person. To reserve tickets, call 440-354-9530.
Veterans are encouraged to wear their uniforms or a part of the uniform.

Concert marks Pearl Harbor Day
Lakeland Civic Band will present a special concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center at Lakeland Community College. The theme of the show will be “A Pearl Harbor Remembrance,” featuring a salute to all the United States Armed Forces.
Tickets are $7 for adults; $6 for seniors; and $2 for students. Tickets are available at the door or by calling 440-525-7134.

Pearl Harbor Day service in Burton
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, of Burton-Middlefield, will host a Pearl Harbor Day Memorial at 11 a.m. at the Village Gazebo in Burton. The public is encouraged to attend.
For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.

Willowick Legion serves pasta dinner
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the post home.
Following dinner, DJ Skyler Cola will entertain until 11 p.m. Dinners are $5 per person and includes spaghetti, homemade meatballs and garlic bread. For details, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Volunteers to help create door swags for veterans
Join Geauga Park District and Operation S.T.A.T. at the West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township, for a make-and-give event from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 6-7.
Help create patriotic evergreen door swags for veterans at Veterans Affairs hospitals to show that they are not forgotten during the holiday season. Supplies will be provided.
For details, call MaryRuth Shumway at 216-905-8081.

Toys for Tots donations needed
Red Roof Inns are one of the many drop-off locations for Toys for Tots.
During the holiday season, Red Roof Inn sponsors the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation so that the tradition of giving hope and smiles to children will continue. Red Roof locations in the Cleveland area will collect new unwrapped toys in the lobbies through Dec. 15.

Early warning
The United States Aviation Museum, sponsor of the Annual Gathering of Eagles air show, will host a pasta dinner at La-Vera Party Center, 32200 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills, from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7.
Tickets are $30 each. All proceeds will benefit the Gathering of Eagles air show.
For information, call Don Manno at 440-442-4151.

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.