Robert (Bob) Lukes of Chester Township recently was honored with a presentation of a United States flag by Geauga County Veterans Service officials and a proclamation from Geauga County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Timothy J. Grendell.
Lukes was honored in celebration of his 100th birthday. The World War II veteran served from 1941 to 1946 as a first lieutenant with the 487th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Lukes was in charge of ordnance loading on aircraft that were part of the massive bombings of Nazi manufacturing, transportation and military targets in Germany.
Stationed in Suffolk, England, from April 1944 to August 1945, he was on the base when Nazi “buzz” bombs rained down. The bombs hit the base’s outer perimeter, barely missing a direct hit.
Following the ceremony, Lukes was joined for lunch by family members and the residents of Amelia Grace Assisted Living, followed with a birthday cake for dessert.
Lukes worked as a quality control engineer for American Stamping in Euclid for 42 years before retiring. He was married for 62 years to his wife, Evelyn, who passed away in 2002. The couple raised two children.

The Chester Township resident credits his longevity to never smoking or drinking alcohol.

Bob Lukes enjoying the Birthday celebration with his son Ken and daughter-in-law Judi Lukes.


Corned beef just around the corner

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a corned beef hash breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. March 15 at the post home.
For details, call the post at 440-354-9090.

VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day from noon to 8 p.m. March 15 with corned beef dinners, sandwiches and Reubens; and on March 17 with corned beef sandwiches and Reubens. For details, call the post home at 440-942-3980.

Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will serve corned beef sandwiches or dinners March 17 at Gunny’s Hall. For information, call 440-974-9380.

American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will offer Reuben or corned beef sandwiches with fries and cole slaw from  5 to 11 p.m. March 14. The sandwiches will be $10. The evening also will include side boards, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes.

VFW Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will serve corned beef sandwiches, potato salad and chips from noon to 4:30 p.m. for $9, followed by corned beef dinners from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for $11, on March 17. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Rolling Thunder at Piston Power Show
Rolling Thunder Chapters 1, 2 and 8 will again be working for donations to fund Greater Cleveland Fisher House at the Piston Power Show, taking place March 19 through 21 at the I-X Center in Cleveland.
At 3 p.m. March 21, there will be the march to the main stage. The Brook Park Marines will lead, with the Cleveland Young Marines following.

Military show at Lakeland
The Lakeland Militaria Collectors Show will be March 20 and 21 at the Lakeland Community College main gym, at 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland. This is a buy, sell or swap event, and no firearms or ammunition will be permitted at the show.
Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children. For details, call Dean Becker at the Lakeland Campus Police Department at 440-525-7241.

Pancake breakfast hosted by fraternity
Kappa Sigma fraternity at Lake Erie College in Painesville will volunteer its time to host a pancake breakfast as part of the organization’s Military Heroes Day of Service event.
The members will serve the breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Church of Christ, 422 Mentor Ave. in Painesville.
Tickets for the adult breakfast will be $7 and for seniors or LEC students $5 in advance. Tickets at the door will be $8 for everyone. Tickets will be sold on campus March 16 through 20 between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Holden Center.

Abbey Rodeo appears at Willoughby Post
The sixth annual fundraiser for VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will be 6 p.m., March 28 at the post home. Abbey Rodeo will perform at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for members and $ 12 for nonmembers. There will be a special offered for those who join the post. To purchase tickets, call 440-669-3495 or the post at 440-951-9233.

Fundraiser for 6-year-old
America Legion Family of Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a fundraiser beginning at 3 p.m. April 18 at the post home.
Proceeds will benefit 6-year-old Kallie Kramp, who has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
Dinner tickets are $10. A gas grill will be raffled, with tickets priced at $5. There also will be sideboards, a 50/50 drawing, Chinese auction, door prizes and a bake sale. DJ Trenda will entertain from 7 to 11 p.m.
Call 440-942-7762 for more information.

Wickliffe post host polka party
American Legion Post 7, 29919 Euclid Ave. in Wickliffe, will host a polka dance beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 18.
Tickets are $25 per person and include beer, wine and ethnic foods. Patty C and the Guys will entertain. For more information or tickets, call the post home at 440-585-4191.

Fundraiser helps Boulevard of Flags
Boulevard of Flags will host its annual fundraiser from 6 to 11 p.m. April 24 at the Patrician Party Center, 33150 Lakeland Blvd. in Eastlake.
Tickets are $35 and include a sit-down dinner with open bar, Chinese auction, door prizes, sideboards and a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds will benefit the Boulevard of Flags at 35150 Lake Shore Blvd. in Eastlake.
To purchase tickets, call Joe Strand at 440-942-9344 or Lois Sbrocco at 440-946-3439.

PLAVA hosts golf outing
The Polish Legion of American Veterans and Auxiliary Ladies Auxiliary Chapter 31 of Cleveland will host an Armed Forces Day Golf Outing to Benefit Greater Cleveland Fisher House, beginning at 7 a.m. May 16.
Tickets are $70 per person and include coffee and doughnuts, lunch at the turn, green fees and cart, and full buffet dinner at PLAVA Post 31, 850 E. 200th St. in Cleveland, immediately following.
Prizes for the longest drive, closest to the pin, longest putt, a raffle and door prizes will all be part of the fun. Call 216-337-8997 or 216-337-8996 for tickets or information.

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.