May is a busy month for remembering those in uniform and those who support their efforts.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day is May 8. This day honors those who keep the home fires burning for all of the active duty service personnel.
Peace Officer Memorial Day is May 15,when flags fly at half staff from sunrise to sunset in memory of those officers killed in the line of duty. The third Saturday of the month is set aside as Armed Forces Day, which honors current members of the United States armed forces.
Of course, the month ends with Memorial Day, when the flag is to be flown at half staff from sunrise until noon and then be returned to full staff for the remainder of the day.
Decoration Day, as it was originally called, began in 1866 when the graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated with flowers in their memory. In 1967, the name was changed to Memorial Day by an act of Congress.

Boulevard of 500 Flags fund raiser a success
Joe Strand and the Boulevard of 500 Flags Committee would like to express their thanks to the many volunteers, those who donated to the event, supporters and the attendees of the annual Boulevard Fundraiser. All those involved helped to make the event a wonderful success.

Work party to raise flags in Eastlake
Volunteers are needed to help raise flags and ready the Boulevard of 500 Flags, 35150 Lake Shore Boulevard in Eastlake, for the season.
A work party will begin at 9 a.m. May 2 to sort and raise the flags. In the event of rain, the date will be May 3. If you plan to volunteer, please bring gloves and pliers with you. For details, call Joe Strand at 440-942-9344.

Painesville legion offers breakfast buffet
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a breakfast buffet from 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 3.
For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Car and motorcycle cruise in begins in Willowick
Veterans Car and Motorcycle Cruise In will be noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday beginning May 3 at American Legion Post 678, 590 E. 328th Street in Willowick.
All cars and motorcycles are welcome. The registration fee is $5 or a donation for the Homeless Veterans Shelter. Food, drinks, prizes, 50/50 raffle and more will be a part of the fun. For details, call Bob at 216-214-3878 or email sfccola@yahoo.com.

Squadron serves spaghetti for Mom
Civil Air Patrol Squadron OH 252 of Painesville will host a Mother’s Day Spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. May 9 at American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville.
Mothers will eat free, dine in only.

Mother’s Day brunch in Willoughby Hills
Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4358, 29412 White Road in Willoughby Hills, will host a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10.
Tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased by May 3 at the post canteen. This brunch is open to the public. Call Rosina Drenski at 440-944-4903 for more information.

Catholic War Veterans membership drive
The Catholic War Veterans of Lake, John Paul II Post 1959, will host a membership and poppy drive at St. Cyprian’s Church, 4223 Middle Ridge Road in Perry Township, after all Masses on May 16 and 17.
The post also will sell tickets for the reverse raffle on Oct. 24 at Patrician Party Center. Tickets for the event are $65 for main board and $35 for extra dinner ticket. Only 175 of the tickets will be sold. For details, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Polish legion auxiliary hosts golf outing
Polish Legion of American Veterans Ladies Auxiliary Chapter 31 in Cleveland will host a golf outing at Briardale Greens Golf Course, 24131 Briardale Ave. in Euclid.
The outing begins with a shotgun scramble at 8 a.m. Tickets are $70 per person and include coffee and doughnuts, lunch at the turn, green fees and cart, and a full buffet dinner to follow at PLAV Post 31, 850 E. 200th St. in Cleveland. Call 216-337-8997 or 216-337-8996 for details.

Operation STAT open house in Eastlake
Operation S.T.A.T. (Standing Tall for American Troops) will host an open house on May 16 at VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake.
The event is open to the public and hamburgers and hot dogs will be available. For details, call Adam Cook at 440-413-6225 or email him at Adam@operationstat.org.

Flag retirement ceremony at Veterans Park
Mentor VFW Post 9295 and Boy Scout Troop 75 will host a flag retirement ceremony at 1 p.m. May 17 at Veterans Park, 5730 Hopkins Road in Mentor.
Bring your old and worn flags for proper disposal. The public is welcome.

Blessing of the bikes in Hambden
Hambden Congregational Church, 13840 GAR Highway in Hambden Township, will welcome Rolling Thunder for a bike blessing and veterans tribute service on May 18.
All motorcycles are asked to gather on Chardon Square at 9:30 a.m. for departure at 9:45 a.m. The service will begin by 10:30 a.m.
A picnic will follow at Hambden Township Park, 9891 Old State Road, following the service. Bring a dish to share. Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be provided by Hambden Congregational Church; cooking by the Chardon VFW and the cleanup and other assistance by the Young Marines.

Medal of Honor Stories presented at Perry Library
Historian Harold George, in full Civil War uniform, will present a program about the Medal of Honor at Perry Public Library, 3753 Main St. in Perry at 7 p.m. May 19.
More than 3,000 Medals of Honor have been issued for acts of bravery and heroism. In a few cases, though, the medal was awarded for rather unique, strange, and less-than-glorious reasons.

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