Parris Island is a beautiful spot in the low country of South Carolina. The island itself is described in this month’s “Leatherneck” magazine as being 4 miles long and 3 miles wide. The 8,000 acres includes only 3,200 acres of dry land.
The Marine Corps Recruit Depot this year is celebrating 100 years of making Marines, with the officially recognized date being Nov. 1. It was on that date when the Navy turned over the land and buildings to the Marine Corps in 1915.
I was lucky enough to have a tour of the island several years ago with my husband. The tour started out at the train station in Yemassee. The recruits arrived by train until 1965, according to the magazine article. When we stopped in Yemassee, the train station was still there, but evidently looked a lot smaller to the Marine I was with.
The causeway to the island was a much more relaxed drive than the one he took on a bus with other recruits. The land approach to the island was not installed until 1929. Before that, the only approach was by a shuttle boat.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. is the oldest major base in the Marine Corps and is the only place where women are trained to be Marines. The women arrived aboard the island in November 1943.
I was fortunate to have been able to see the museum on the island, the parade grounds and various statues that grace the island camp.
Leatherneck’s article, “Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Celebrates ‘100 Years of Making Marines’ ” highlights the recruit depot, and explains the history of the island and the evolution of the training grounds that make Marines. So this year, Marines will celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday and the birth of MCRD Parris Island in November.

Stocking for Soldiers continues through Nov. 2
The Stockings for Soldiers and Shelters Program will continue through Nov. 2. The staff at DeJohn Funeral Homes and Crematory supplies the red and white stockings free of charge at two of their four locations between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pick up a stocking or two at the Willoughby Hills or South Euclid locations. A list of suggested stuffers will be included with the stockings. The filled stockings need to be returned no later than Nov. 6.
DeJohn works with organizations that will send the stockings to troops overseas or to organizations locally that provide care for those who cannot care for themselves. For more information, call 440-516-5555 or visit www.dejohnfuneral.com/news-events/.

Fairport post offer perch fry
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will host a perch fry on Oct. 23 at the post home. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner is served 4 to 7 p.m. The dinner is open to the public. For information call 440-352-1123.

Geauga County council hosts pancake breakfast 
American Legion Geauga County Council will host a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Burton American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin Ave. in Burton. All proceeds will benefit
Geauga County Veterans in need.
An adult breakfast will be $ 10 and children’s portions for those ages 6 through 12 will be $5. For details, call 440-635-6390 or 440-313-2095.

Painesville Legion offers breakfast
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a breakfast buffet from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 1 at the post home.
Breakfast is $6 and includes eggs, home fries, bacon sausage, pancakes, biscuits, sausage gravy and coffee. For details call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Legion auxiliary unit collects for Thanksgiving baskets
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214, 4304 Center St. in Mentor, will be collecting nonperishable food items for local families in need.
The Thanksgiving basket donations will be delivered Nov. 21 just in time for the holiday. Food and cash donations are needed. Food donations can be placed in the large barrel at the post and cash donations can be given to an auxiliary officer or a bartender on duty. For details, call the post at 440-942-7762.

Tailgate party at Painesville Post 336
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 336 will host a Browns/Steelers tailgate party at the post pavilion, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15. Admission is $10 and includes food, draft beer, pop and a chance to win the $1,000 grand prize.
Limited tickets are available. Proceeds will benefit the Auxiliary Adopt-A-Family program.

Turkey raffle at Mentor VFW Post 9295
VFW Post 9295 Auxiliary’s annual turkey raffle will be 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at the post home, 8282 Mentor Ave. in Mentor. Those who plan to attend should call the post at 440-255-3493.

Learn to paint at Gunny’s Hall
Christmas Gnomes at the Hall, join Rachel with Artists Uncork’d and uncork your creativity at 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at Marine Corps League Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor. Learn step-by-step instruction on how to paint your own painting. Beginners are welcome.
Cost is $25 per person and all supplies are included. Sign up on line at www.artistsuncorkd.com. Payment in cash or check is due the day of the event. Please bring a food dish to share.

To submit items for this column, send them to Larece Galer, The News-Herald, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or email LGaler@News-Herald.com