Earlier this month, Congress approved the creation of a veterans identification card.
I was surprised when I heard this because Lake County Recorder Ann M. Radcliffe and Geauga County Recorder Sharon Gingerich have been issuing these ID cards to veterans for the past two years.
For years, veterans who are not enrolled in Veterans Affairs programs have had to carry a paper copy of their DD-214 (discharge papers) to prove they were honorably discharged. Proof of discharge is needed to secure the many discounts that businesses offer in the area.
Congress is slow, but I never thought that they were that far behind — such a simple thing took this long?
The veterans of these two counties have been enjoying the benefits that the card brings, thanks to the two county recorders who are staying current in offering the service to honorably discharged veterans in both counties.
To obtain a veterans ID card, call the Geauga County Recorder’s Office at 440-285-2222 or the Lake County Recorder’s Office at 440-350-2510.

Post cancels events 
American Legion Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, has canceled the GI Get Together and annual community garage sale because of renovations at the post. The events will be rescheduled later in the fall. For questions or more information, call the post home at 440-834-8621.

Buckeye Boys Golf Outing
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host the Third Annual Boys State Golf Outing beginning at noon Aug. 28, at Lost Nation Golf Course. Tickets are $50 per person and include golf, cart and a steak raffle.
Please sign up at the post home by Aug. 26 or sponsor a hole for $20 per hole. For more information or to sign up, call the post after 3 p.m. at 440-942-7762.

Catholic Veterans poppy drive
The Catholic War Veterans John Paul II Post 1959 will be at St. Mary Parish, 242 N. State St. in Painesville, on Aug. 15-16 after all Masses hosting a membership drive and a poppy drive (donations are welcome).
Members also will be selling tickets for the reverse raffle that will be Oct. 24, at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Chardon hosts Chinese auction
The Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at the post home.
For details, call 440-285-3699.

Support veterans 
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will again host Veterans Appreciation Day from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at the post home.
This is a free event for all veterans and their spouses. There will be food, music and veteran-oriented vendors.
To keep this event free, the post will host a breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9. The cost is $5.

Learn to ride at dealership
Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor, is offering Operation Personal Freedom Ride Free through Sept. 13.
All current and former U.S. military personnel can learn to ride for free through the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy.
Learn more about this program by stopping at the store or by logging onto H-D.com/militarylearntoride.

Toys for Tots golf outing
Col. Justice M. Chambers Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, has rescheduled the annual Toys for Tots golf outing.
The event will be Sept. 12 at Madison Country Club, 6130 Chapel Road in Madison.
Tickets are $80 for players and $20 for the dinner only. Hole sponsorships and tickets for the golf outing are available. Call Gunny’s Hall at 440-974-9380 or Joe Brooks at 440-477-1810.

Newbury Legion farmers market
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, hosts the Community Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 12.Vendors are supplied with a table under the pavilion and easy access for $5 per day.
For more information, email bob810@windstream.net, or call 440-564-7441 or 440-567-9061 to reserve a space.

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