Blogs > At Ease with Larece Galer

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.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

American Legion pays tribute to the Four Chaplains

The American Legion honors the Four Chaplains the first Sunday in February.
The services pay tribute to the four who gave up their life vests to soldiers who needed them while the USAT Dorchester was sinking.
On Feb. 2, 1943, the Dorchester, a converted luxury liner being used as a troop carrier, was hit midship by a torpedo fired from a German submarine.
The four men spread out among the soldiers in an attempt to help calm them, tend to the wounded and direct disoriented soldiers to lifeboats.
The chaplains were last seen on deck with arms linked and praying as the ship sank.
The American Legion honors these brave men with a Four Chaplains Service traditionally on the first Sunday of February.
The four chaplains were the Rev. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; Jewish Rabbi Alexander D. Goode; the Rev. Clark V. Poling of the Reformed Church in America; and the Rev. John P. Washington, a Catholic priest. All were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart posthumously to their next of kin in 1944.
To learn more about the memorial to the chaplains, call your local American Legion post or visit www.fourchaplains.org.

Painesville VFW serves Big Boys
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a Big Boys and fries night Jan. 31 at the post home. All are welcome, call 440-354-9090 for information.

Souper day for Super Bowl Sunday
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a “Souper Sunday” soup contest on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1, beginning at 3 p.m. A prize will be awarded for the best overall and the most original soup.
For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Super Bowl party at Willoughby post
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a Super Bowl party beginning at 5 p.m. Feb. 1 at the post home. Tickets are $10 per person. Call the post home at 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m. or sign the reservation sheet at the post.

Willowick Legion offers breakfast
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 1 at the post home.
Breakfast is $7 and includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, toast, orange juice and coffee. Bloody Marys will be available for purchase.

Four Chaplains program at Burton Legion
A Four Chaplains program will be presented at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton.
The event is open to the public. For details, call 440-834-8765.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary hosts breakfast
The VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will host a breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 8 at the post home.
Breakfast will be $5 per person and all are welcome. For details, call the post at 440-942-3980.

Dinner with a slice of history
Cleveland’s Bomber Plant will be the topic of a dinner with a slice of history at the International Women’s Air and Space museum at Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 North Marginal Road in Cleveland, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the program by Bill Meixner will start at 7 p.m.
Meixner will present a history of the bomber plant that was built in 1942. The 2.2 million-square-foot building now is known as the I-X Center and plays host to trade shows and entertainment events.
Tickets are $15 per person or $13 for IWASM members. Seats are limited and reservations are requested by Feb. 10. Call the museum at 216-623-1111 or online at www.iwasm.org.

Dinner and dancing for Valentine’s Day
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a Valentine’s Day dinner dance at the post Feb. 14. Dinner will be served 6 to 8 p.m., followed by dancing from 8 to 11 p.m.
The event will include side boards and a 50/50 raffle. To RSVP, call the post home at 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m.

Painesville legion hosts sweetheart breakfast raffle
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a sweetheart reverse raffle breakfast at 9 a.m. Feb. 15. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $20 and include admission, a $1,000 main board and a breakfast buffet. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Militaria Collectors Show returns to Lakeland
The annual Militaria Collectors Show presented by the Lakeland Community College Police Department will be March 20 and 21 in the college athletic and fitness center main gym.
Adult admission to the show will be $4, with children admitted for $2. Table reservations are $20 per table or $50 for three tables.
This is a buy, sell and swap event.
No firearms or ammunition will be permitted at the show. For details about the show visit www.lakelandmilitaryshow.info or call Dean Becker, Lakeland campus police, at 440-525-7241. Lakeland Community College is located at 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland.

SAL host lucky shoots 
Sons of the American Legion, Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host lucky shoots every Saturday through March 14 at the post home.
Doors open at 9 a.m. to sign up and shoots begin at 10 a.m. Full shoots will be $30.
A breakfast also will be available. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

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.

Labels: , , ,

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Saturday hours make getting Veteran ID Card easier

I’m sure that many veterans in Lake County have not gotten their Veteran ID cards simply because they work long hours during the week.
The Lake County Recorder’s Office will be offering the cards from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Eastlake Public Library, 36706 Lake Shore Blvd.
To be eligible to receive one of the county cards, veterans must fill out a form; provide an original or certified copy of their discharge; show a valid photo ID; have their photo taken and pay a $1 fee.
Veterans with the cards will receive discounts at various businesses in Lake County. The card also may be used as proof of military service; to obtain copies of the DD214 at the Recorder’s Office; and as valid voter identification.
Discharge papers filed in the Recorder’s Office are not considered public record and only can be obtained by the veterans or an authorized individual with proof of identification.
For a list of participating Vets Net businesses, visit www.mentorchamber.org/vetsnet.
For details about the card, call the Lake County Recorder’s Office at 440-350-2510 or email lori.caszatt@welibrary.info.

Air show fund raiser canceled
The United States Aviation Museum fundraiser Dinner scheduled for Feb. 7 has been canceled. For more information, call Don Manno at 440-442-4151.

Souper day for Super Bowl Sunday
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a “Souper Sunday” soup contest on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1, beginning at 3 p.m. A prize will be awarded for the best overall and the most original soup.
For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

SALs host lucky shoots 
Sons of the American Legion, Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host lucky shoots every Saturday through March 14 at the post home.
Doors open at 9 a.m. to sign up and shoots begin at 10 a.m. Full shoots will be $30.
A breakfast also will be available. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Militaria Collectors Show returns to Lakeland
The annual Militaria Collectors Show presented by the Lakeland Community College Police Department will be March 20 and 21 in the college athletic and fitness center main gym.
Adult admission to the show will be $4, with children admitted for $2. Table reservations are $20 per table or $50 for three tables.
This is a buy, sell and swap event.
No firearms or ammunition will be permitted at the show. For details about the show visit www.lakelandmilitaryshow.info or call Dean Becker, Lakeland campus police, at 440-525-7241. Lakeland Community College is located at 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland.

Super Bowl party at Willoughby post
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a Super Bowl party beginning at 5 p.m. Feb. 1, at the post home. Tickets are $10 per person. Call the post home at 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m. or sign the reservation sheet at the post.

Dinner with a slice of history
Cleveland’s Bomber Plant will be the topic of a dinner with a slice of history at the International Women’s Air and Space museum at Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 North Marginal Road in Cleveland, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the program by Bill Meixner will start at 7 p.m.
Meixner will present a history of the bomber plant that was built in 1942. The 2.2 million-square-foot building now is known as the I-X Center and plays host to trade shows and entertainment events.
Tickets are $15 per person or $13 for IWASM members. Seats are limited and reservations are requested by Feb. 10. Call the museum at 216-623-1111 or online at www.iwasm.org.

Four Chaplains program at Burton Legion
A Four Chaplains program will be presented at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. The event is open to the public. For details call 440-834-8765.

Dinner and dancing for the valentine
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a Valentine’s Day dinner dance at the post Feb. 14. Dinner will be served 6 to 8 p.m. followed by dancing from 8 to 11 p.m.
The event will include side boards and a 50/50 raffle. To RSVP, call the post home at 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m.

Painesville legion hosts sweetheart breakfast raffle
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a sweetheart reverse raffle breakfast at 9 a.m. Feb. 15. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $20 and include admission, $1,000 main board and a breakfast buffet. For details call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Painesville VFW serves Big Boys
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a Big Boys and fries night Jan. 31, at the post home. All are welcome, call 440-354-9090 for 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.

Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, January 15, 2015

To Hell and Back a good read

I bought myself a Christmas present this year: the book “To Hell and Back,” which tells the story of Audie Murphy and his actions in World War II.
Murphy is the most decorated American soldier of World War II, and to my knowledge, he still is the most decorated soldier in history.
Since joining The News-Herald 20 years ago, I have heard the name Audie Murphy repeatedly. Jim Collins, editor emeritus, knows everything there is to know about Murphy.
It was just a coincidence that I found the book. I was doing some Christmas shopping for my husband, who had requested another book with a military theme, when I found the Murphy book.
Between Mr. Collins all these years and some old Western movies starring Murphy that have run in the past several weeks, I guess it was time for me to read the book. I have to say Murphy was a very good-looking man, his movies are pretty good, and having gotten about halfway through the book, I realize that he was a quintessential American hero.
The book originally was published in 1949 with many reprints since then. I highly recommend the book, it is a good read.

Geauga County Council hosts benefit dinner
American Legion, Geauga County Council will host a benefit chicken paprikash dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Burton American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. Dinner donation is $8 per person. There will be a 50/50 raffle at the door.
For details, call 440-635-6390 or 440-313-2095. All proceeds will benefit Geauga County veterans in need.

Souper Sunday at Painesville Post
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a Souper Sunday soup contest beginning at 3 p.m. on Superbowl Sunday, Feb. 1. A prize will be given for the best overall and most original soup.
For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

SALs host lucky shoots 
Sons of the American Legion, Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host lucky shoots every Saturday through March 14 at the post home. Doors open at 9 a.m. to sign up and shoots begin at 10 a.m. Full shoots will be $30.
A breakfast also will be available. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Sweetheart reverse raffle in Painesville
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a sweetheart reverse raffle at 9 a.m. Feb. 15 at the post home. Admission of $20 include a $1,000 main board, and great breakfast buffet.
Only 100 tickets will be sold. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Sunday 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 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 offers fish fry on Friday
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, hosts a fish fry every first and third Friday of the month from 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.
Four Chaplains program at Burton Legion
A Four Chaplains program will be presented at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. The event is open to the public. For details call 440-834-8765.

Pasta dinner helps air show fly
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.

Dinner with a slice of history
Cleveland’s Bomber Plant will be the topic of a dinner with a slice of history at the International Women’s Air and Space museum at Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 North Marginal Road in Cleveland, at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 13. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the program by Bill Meixner will start at 7 p.m.
Meixner will present a history of the local bomber plant that was built in 1942. The 2.2 million-square-foot building now plays host to trade shows and entertainment events.
The I-X Center, as it is known today, originally was owned by the Department of Defense and operated by Fisher Body Aircraft. Hear Meixner explain why Cleveland was chosen for this very important role in World War II.
Tickets are $15 per person or $13 for IWASM members. Seats are limited and reservations are requested by Feb. 10. Call the museum at 216-623-1111 or online at www.iwasm.org.

Militaria Collectors Show returns to Lakeland
The annual Militaria Collectors Show presented by the Lakeland Community College Police Department will be March 20 and 21 in the college athletic and fitness center main gym.
Adult admission to the show will be $4 with children admitted for $2. Table reservations are $20 per table or $50 for three tables.
This is a buy, sell and swap event. No firearms or ammunition will be permitted at the show. For details about the show visit www.lakelandmilitaryshow.info or call Dean Becker, Lakeland campus police at 440-525-7241. Lakeland Community College is located at 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland.

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.

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Looking toward spring electronically

The holidays are over and the time away from work was very relaxing, even with all of the holiday events. The posts will be making the late winter and early spring schedules.
The pancake breakfasts and fish fry dinners will be starting. Before we realize what has happened, it will be spring. Now that is an optimistic statement after the subzero temperatures we have been having.
Many of the posts have Facebook pages to get the word out. If the post you belong to does, be sure to let us know that so we can friend you on Facebook.
A recent article in one of the national newspapers made the posts and detachments seem like they had no contact via the Internet, but I know a lot of you have Facebook pages, emails and even Twitter accounts. If that’s the case, send me the information so we can let the public know where to look for information from posts and detachments. Let’s make sure that the younger generation understands that the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Marine Corps League all communicate with the latest equipment.
Send event listings to lgaler@news-herald.com, or fax them to 440-975-2293.

Dinner helps veterans in need
The American Legion, Geauga County Council will host a benefit chicken paprikash dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Burton American Legion Post, 14042 Goodwin St. in Burton.
Dinner donation is $8. The event also will include a 50/50 raffle. For details, call 440-635-6390 or 440-313-2095.
All proceeds go toward helping Geauga County veterans in need.

Fairport VFW Hall closed until further notice
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, has announced that the post hall will be closed until further notice because of circumstances beyond its control. Fish fry dinners also been canceled. For questions, call the post home at 440-352-1123.

Sons host lucky shoots at Madison Post through March 14
Sons of the American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host lucky shoots every Saturday Jan. 10 through March 14 at the post home.
Doors open at 9 a.m. to sign up and shoots begin at 10. Full shoots will be $30 each. Breakfast will be available. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Willoughby post hosts benefit for domestic violence victim
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will host a benefit for the family of Nicole Devine, a victim of a homicide in Willoughby, beginning at 7 p.m. Jan. 10, at the post home.
Tickets are $15 and will include an Italian dinner with live music. All proceeds will benefit the family to help with expenses related to her death. For more information, call 440-951-9233.

Willoughby Legion serves pancake breakfast
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 11 at the post home.
A pancake breakfast will be $5 and a French toast breakfast will be $6. Breakfast for children ages 12 and younger will be $3.
For details, call the post home at 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m.

Young Marines look for new recruits
The Greater Lake County Young Marines are accepting applications for the new recruit class scheduled to begin March 21. Orientation will be Feb. 21.
For more information, visit the group website at www.glcyoungmarines.org or call Bill Sickles at 440-413-6707.

Willowick 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 more information, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Honor guard available in Geauga County
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 open for meals
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.
Daily lunches are served Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with fish fry meals available on Fridays. There are also weekly specials offered.
For details, call the hall at 440-974-9380.

Dinner gives lift to Gathering of Eagles
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 more 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.

Labels: , , , , , ,