There will come a day when people realize what a great deal meals at the local posts can be.
I have had many of them and have never been disappointed. The fact that the food is priced right and most of it is homemade only adds to the dining pleasure.
The Lenten fish dinners are some of the best during the year. Each post does the meal just a little bit different, so a dinner at one post may not be exactly the same at a second post. If you have not already stopped by a local post and gotten a fish dinner, you only have one more Friday before Easter.
The posts serve a variety of dinners all year and the menu is as different as each post. I have seen everything from a frog legs dinner to an old fashioned hamburger meal in the same week at different posts. Finding something to suit everyone should not be a problem.
I think the best part of these meals is the fact that proceeds benefit post home projects, veterans in need or community projects that the post would be helping with.
So stop and get a dinner, keep Mom out of the kitchen and enjoy a meal that helps the community and its veterans.

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.

Pancake and sausage breakfast in Burton
Burton-Middlefield American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 12 at the post home. Adult breakfast is $9 and the child’s portion for those ages 12 and younger will be $5. For more information, call 440-635-0223.

Painesville post serves up 
chicken dinners
VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a chicken dinner beginning at 5 p.m. March 28 at the post home. Dinners are $5 per person. For details call 440-354-9090.

Fundraiser for 6-year-old
American 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, Kallie is an auxiliary junior member, daughter of an auxiliary member and granddaughter of Fred Brown, a member of the Sons of the American Legion.
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.
Donations for the auction are being gratefully accepted.
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.

Catholic War Veterans
host membership poppy drive
The Catholic War Veterans of Lake, John Paul II Post 1959, will host a membership poppy drive at Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Wickliffe on April 18 and 19 at all Masses.
The members also will be selling tickets for the Super Raffle that will be Oct. 24 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake during the Annual Reverse Raffle. Grand prize will be $5,000. Tickets can be purchased from any CWV member.
For more information, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

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 be part of the fun.
Call 216-337-8997 or 216-337-8996 for tickets or information.

West G military alumni wanted
West Geauga High School wants all alumni who have served in the United States military to contact the school. The alumni association is compiling a list of those who served to be included on a memorial plaque that will be permanently displayed in the high school.
To be included, please submit information to kim.rataiczak@westg.org or call 440-729-5930.

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.

West Geauga High School is looking for alumni who served in the United States military. The school will be installing a plaque for permanent display, listing the names of those men and women.
Veterans who wish to be included are asked to provide the year of graduation from West Geauga High School, the branch of service they served in and their rank.
“We have about 200 names at this time,” said Kim Rataiczak of the Alumni Office. “We hope to have a small ceremony in May when the plaque is completed.”
The list will be updated from time to time to include those who will be serving in the future.
For a name to be included on the plaque, call Kim Rataiczak at the West Geauga Alumni office at 440-729-5930 or email her at  kim.rataiczak@westg.org.

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. March 21 at First Church of Christ, 422 Mentor Ave. in Painesville.
Tickets for the adult breakfast, in advance, will be $7 and for seniors or LEC students. 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.

Pancake and sausage breakfast in Burton
The Burton-Middlefield American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 12 at the post home. Adult breakfast is $9 and the child’s portion for those ages 12 and younger will be $5. For more information, call 440-635-0223.

Fundraiser for 6-year-old
American 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.

Catholic War Veterans host membership poppy drive
The Catholic War Veterans of Lake, John Paul II Post 1959, will host a membership poppy drive at Mount Carmel Parish in Wickliffe on April 18 and 19 at all Masses.
The members also will be selling tickets for the Super Raffle that will be Oct. 24 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake during the Annual Reverse Raffle. Grand prize will be $5,000. Tickets can be purchased from any CWV member.
For more information, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

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 all will 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.

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.

Joe DiFranco was presented the French Legion of Honor Award at American Legion Post 214 in Willoughby on Feb. 22.
The 92-year-old received the honor in front of about 80 onlookers. DiFranco was awarded the medal by honorary French Consulate Stephen J. Knerly.

A longtime Lake County resident, DiFranco was a member of the Army’s 862nd Engineer Aviation Battalion during World War II. Serving in France, Belgium and Germany, he earned a Purple Heart for wounds sustained during a Luftwaffe bombing raid.
The barracks he was in took a direct hit, injuring DiFranco and two others, one of whom was trapped under a large beam.
“I don’t know where I got the strength when I lifted that beam,” DiFranco said. All three were seriously injured, but survived the attack.
It took almost a year for the French Legion of Honor Award to be processed. The award from the French government is a tribute to the soldiers who fought to free France from the Axis powers.
In addition to the French Legion of Honor Medal, DiFranco earned the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Expert Army Marksmanship Qualification Badge of the M1 rifle and the World War II Victory Medal.
He is the proud father of Steven DiFranco and Diana Everett and grandfather to John Ours, Adam Ours and Dr. Alice Ours Vitiello.

Honor guard available
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton has an honor guard available with a few days’ notice to perform a full military funeral service to honor any service man or woman at their passing.
For details call 440-834-8764, please leave a message if no one answers.

Gunny’s Hall Sunday morning breakfast buffet
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, offers a Sunday morning breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. to noon.
Cost is $7.50 with additional menu items at reasonable prices. For details, call 440-974-9380.

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

SAL offers Lucky Shoots on Saturdays
Sons of the American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, offers Lucky Shoots beginning at 9 a.m. every Saturday through March 14.
Sign-up begins at 9 a.m. and shoots begin at 10 a.m. Full shoots are $30. For details, call the post at 440-428-7893.

Militaria Collectors Show at Lakeland
Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland, will host a Militaria Collectors Show March 20-21 in the main gym.
Admission for the show is $4 for adults and $2 for children. The public is welcome and parking is free. For details, visit www.lakelandmilitaryshow.info or call Dean Becker at the Lakeland Campus Police Department at 440-525-7241.

Willowick post rents hall
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, has a banquet hall for rent.
The hall’s capacity is 200 people and it’s ideal for weddings, reception, parties and gatherings. Contact the post for more information at 440-943-9659 or post 678@sbcglobal.net.

Sixth annual fundraiser at Willoughby VFW
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will host its sixth annual fundraiser beginning at 6 p.m. March 28 at the post.
Abbey Rodeo will perform at 8 p.m. The event also will feature a 50/50 raffle and sideboards.
Proceeds will benefit VFW Charities.
Tickets are $10 for VFW members and $12 for nonmembers. A special will be offered for membership sign-up. For tickets, call 440-669-3495 or the post at 440-951-9233.

Blessing of the Bikes April 12
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a Blessing of the Bikes on April 12.
The parking lot will be open at 10 a.m. with the blessing at noon. There will be vendors, a DJ and food. The public is welcome
For details, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Fundraiser for Boulevard of 500 Flags
The Boulevard of 500 Flags 2015 annual fundraiser dinner will be 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.
To purchase tickets, call Joe Strand at 440-942-9344 or Lois Sbrocco at 440-946-3439.

Junior Girls host chicken Alfredo dinner
The Junior Girls Unit of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a chicken Alfredo dinner 1 to 3 p.m. March 8 at the post home.
Dinner donation is $7 per person. For details, call 440-354-9090.

European Tour scheduled in May
American Legion Post 214 and Military Historical Tours will host a European tour from May 31 through June 10.
The tour will in Reims, Verdun, Normandy and D-Day Anniversary commemoration at Omaha Beach, American Cemetery and Pointe Du Hoc. For details, call 703-590-1295 or 800-722-9501.

Eastlake post plans corned beef dinners
VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will serve a corned beef dinner, sandwiches and Reubens on March 15 and corned beef sandwiches and Reubens on March 17. Hours are noon to 8 p.m.
For details call 440-942-3980.

Willoughby Legion to host St. Patrick’s Day party
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby will host a St. Patrick’s Day party from 5 to 11 p.m. March 14 at the post home.
Reuben or corned beef sandwiches with fries, cole slaw and pickle will be $10. The evening will include sideboards, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Please sign up at the post or reserve a spot by calling 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m.

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.