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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, June 24, 2015

New members wanted

The July issue of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW magazine reached my door this week.
I always try to keep up with what is going on and these monthly magazines give me information about what is happening at the national level with the auxiliary. As always, membership is discussed and increasing membership has been an issue for the past several years.
I have witnessed firsthand how there are always those dedicated few who seem to be at every function or service event. I have been around long enough to remember when every post made monthly visits to the local veterans hospital for a treat night.
Increasing membership is something every member should be concerned about. Consider the fact that many veterans benefits have come from the lobbying efforts of these groups. If not for their work, the original GI Bill would not have been put into place, affording some of the precious benefits that so many veterans need and use.
As a member, I talk with friends and acquaintances who are interested or eligible. The community projects that are performed by the members, the auxiliaries and the junior groups are too numerous to mention here.
If you are a member, talk about the projects and services that your post has been involved in. I remember a gunnery sergeant who always had application forms in his wallet ready for a prospective new member to fill out. With all the project choices, you may gain a member or two just by starting a conversation.

Breakfast at Eastlake post
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will host a breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon June 28 at the post home. Breakfast will be $5 per person. For details, call 440-942-3980.

Legion hosts car and motorcycle show
American Legion Post 678, 590 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a Veteran Car and Motorcycle Cruise In noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday at the post home. All cars and motorcycles are welcome. Registration fee is $5 or a donation to the homeless veterans shelter. The afternoon includes food, drinks, prizes, a 50/50 raffle and more. For details, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Newbury post site of Farmers Market
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, hosts a farmers market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through Sept. 12.
Items for sale are farm and garden produce, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, crafts, curios, antiques, collectibles and nursery items.
Vendors are supplied with a table under the pavilion and easy access for $5 per day.
For details call 440-564-7441 or 440-567-9061.

Honor guard available
American Legion Post 459 of Burton-Middlefield has an honor guard available to perform full military funeral services for any serviceman or woman. The honor guard is available with just a few days’ notice and most local funeral directors are aware of the group. For details about the honor guard, call 440-834-8764. Please leave a message if no one answers.

Catholic War Veterans at parish festival
Catholic War Veterans, John Paul II Post 1959, will be at the St. John Vianney Parish Festival in Mentor from July 10-12 hosting a membership and poppy drive (donations are welcome).
The post also will be selling tickets for the reverse raffle that will be Oct. 24 at the Patrician Party Center. Tickets are $65 for main board and $35 for an extra dinner ticket. There will only be 175 tickets sold.
Tickets for the supper raffle also will be available. Tickets are $20 with only 1,000 tickets to be sold for a chance at $5,000. A Chinese auction and DJ will be part of this event. For details, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Euclid Vets host Annual Classic Car Cruise In
The Euclid Vets Association Third Annual Classic Car Cruise In and motorcycle show will be 11 .a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19 at Tizzano’s Party Center, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid.
Any and all classic vehicles up to 1980 — with awards for each category — will be welcome. Food and soft drinks will be available and there will be a 50/50 raffle.
There is no charge for the show, only a request for a donation to the Gary Sinese Foundation for wounded vets.
Dash plaques and goodie bags will be given to owners of the first 100 cars. Music of the ’50s and ’60s will be played at this rain or shine event. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted.
For more information, call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.

Share your views on patriotism
The News-Herald wants readers’ views on patriotism for a story to appear in the Fourth of July edition. What do you believe is the true meaning of patriotism? Do you believe patriotism has been on the decline in recent years, or is still going strong, and how do your support your views? Reply by email to Bill DeBus at bdebus@news-herald.com. Be sure to include your hometown, as well as a phone number in case more information is needed. Or call Bill at 440-954-7164 to give a response. Please leave a message if you reach Bill’s voicemail.

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.

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Thursday, June 18, 2015

Posts offer something for every Dad

Father’s Day is June 21 and many of the area posts will be hosting a meal in honor of Dad. Breakfasts and dinners scheduled over the weekend will offer a chance to take that special guy out for good food.
The variety of events will keep the posts busy for the weekend. There will be something for every Dad to enjoy — dinners, breakfasts, rummage sales and even golf outings.

Eastlake VFW hosts breakfast
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will host a breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon June 28 at the post home.
Breakfast will be $5 per person and the public is welcome. For details, call 440-942-3980.

Chardon Auxiliary hosts rummage sale
Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a rummage sale on June 19 and 20 at the post home. For details, call 440-285-3699.

Newbury post will host Farmers Market
Newbury American Legion Post 663 will host its Fifth Annual Community Farmers Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20 through Sept. 12. The event is hosted as a public service to the entire community.
Vendors are supplied with a table under the pavilion and easy access for $5 per day. The market is located at the post, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township. For information, email bob810@windstream.net or call 440-564-7441 or 440-567-9061.

Willoughby Legion hosts chicken barbecue
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a chicken barbecue dinner from 2 to 8 p.m. June 20 at the post home.
Dinners are $9 each. For details, call the post at 440-942-7762.

Painesville color guard fundraiser
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a ceremony to honor first responders at 6:45 p.m., followed by a fundraiser for its color guard, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. June 20 at the post home.
Live music will be performed by Wicked Vinyl. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available from the post kitchen.
The public is welcome to attend. For details call the post at 440-357-7711.

Lake Erie Legion Posts hosts breakfast
Andy Nowacki , Lake Erie College, American Legion Post 807 will host a Father’s Day pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon June 21 at American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick. Cost is $5 per person.

Two hiring events for veterans
A veterans hiring fair for Lubrizol Corp. (Painesville, Brecksville and Wickliffe locations, all three shifts) will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 23 at American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
The event is from 8:30 and 8:50 a.m. Consider this as a job interview, dress appropriately and bring resumes. Registration in advance is required by calling Michelle Stowe-Caya, veterans representative for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, at 440-350-2490.
Lincoln Electric will host a hiring event at 9 a.m. June 24 at its headquarters, 22801 Saint Clair Ave. in Euclid.
The event will begin promptly, so please arrive by 8:45 a.m. Hiring managers will be present and will give presentations on positions and departments within the company. A question-and-answer period will follow.
It is recommended that those interested apply online prior to the event. This should be treated as a job interview, so appropriate dress is requested. Lincoln Electric conducts a nicotine test during the pre-employment screening.
Register in advance for the event by calling Michele Stowe-Caya of ODJFS at 440-350-2490.

Annual golf outing at Madison Country Club
The Col. Justice M. Chambers Gene Deka Memorial Golf Classic will be 1 p.m. June 27 at Madison Country Club.
Cost is $80 per person and includes lunch, dinner, and refreshments, 18-hole scramble, golf cart, and prizes for longest drives, pin shots and putts.
Call 440-974-9380 with questions.

Cruise In at Willowick Legion
A Veteran Car and Motorcycle Cruise In will be noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday at American Legion Post 678, 590 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
All cars and motorcycles are welcome. Registration fee is $5 or a donation for the homeless veterans shelter.
The event will offer food, drinks, 50/50 raffle and more. For details, call the post at 440-943-9659.

Gunny’s Hall kitchen summer hours
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor ,will close the kitchen on Mondays for the summer. New hours will be Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Regular menu items will be available and a fish fry will be held on Fridays. The Sunday morning breakfasts will not be available again until September. For details, call the detachment at 440-974-9380.

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.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Flag Day comes with important reminders

I am pleased that this year on Flag Day, our American flag along with the Marine Corps flag will be flying on our flagpole without fear of the wind twisting it up and over the weather vane that once adorned the flagpole.
Since having the weather vane removed several years ago, we can actually wear out a flag instead of it being shredded by the old weather vane.
Flag Day is June 14. Flags should be flying that are in good condition, not torn or faded. Those worn or faded flags should be deposited in a flag disposal box located at most area Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion posts. Flags should never be thrown in the trash. Fold up the flag and drop it at the local post for disposal with the proper ceremony.

Flag Day services June 14
• Eastlake VFW Post 3863 and Willowick American Legion 678 will jointly perform a flag retirement ceremony at the Boulevard of 500 Flags, 35150 Lake Shore Boulevard in Eastlake, at 11 a.m. June 14. The public is invited to attend.
• Willoughby Cleveland Elks Lodge 18 will perform a Flag Day service at 1:30 p.m. June 14 at Wes Point Park gazebo in downtown Willoughby. Assisting in the ceremony will be American Legion Post 214 and Boy Scout Troop 289.
Guest speakers will be Ohio State Elks Association President Lance Knight and the past Commander of Legion Post 214, Brett Woerner. The public is invited.
• Painesville Elks Lodge 549 will continue a tradition that began at the Elks Grand Lodge Convention in 1907 by observing Flag Day.
A ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at the lodge, 723 Liberty St. in Painesville. The lodge officers will perform the Elks Flag Day ceremony. Also participating will be Painesville American Legion Brakeman-King Post 336 and Cub Scout Pack 174.
After the ceremony, all guests will be treated to hot dogs and apple pie. The public is invited to attend.

Chardon Auxiliary hosts rummage sale
VFW Post 6519 Ladies Auxiliary will host a rummage sale June 19 and 20 at the post home, 752 Water St. in Chardon. The sale will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details, call 440-285-3699.

Event benefits color guard unit
A fundraiser for the American Legion Post 336 Color Guard will be 7 to 10:30 p.m. June 20 at the post home, 60 Chester St. in Painesville.
The event will feature live music by Wicked Vinyl. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Chicken BBQ at Willoughby Legion
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby will host a chicken barbecue from 2 to 8 p.m. June 20 at the post home. For details, call the post at 440-942-7762.

Post participates in Summerfest Parade
Atwood-Mauck American Legion Post 459, Burton-Middlefield will participate in the Middlefield Summerfest Parade at 1 p.m. June 20. For details call 440-834-8764.

Breakfast for Father’s Day in Willowick
Andy Nowacki, American Legion Post 807 will host a Father’s Day Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon June 21, at American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick. Cost will be $5 per person. All are welcome.

Cruise In at Willowick Legion Sunday
American Legion Post 678, 590 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a car and motorcycle Cruise In from noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday. All cars and motorcycles are welcome.
Registration fee is $5 or a donation for the Homeless Veterans shelter. For information, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Second Indianhead Division reunites
The Second Indianhead Division Association will host the annual national reunion in San Antonio, Texas, this year. Veterans of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division are asked to attend the event.
For information about the association and the 94th annual reunion Sept. 22-26, contact Bob Haynes, at 2idahq@comcast.net or call 224-225-1202.

Father’s Day Breakfast at Painesville VFW
VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a Father’s Day Breakfast at the post home beginning at 9 a.m. June 12. Fathers will eat free.
For details, call the post at 440-354-9090.

Annual steak roast at Newbury Post
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, will host its sixth annual steak roast in the Hunter Pavilion behind the post from 4:30 to 7 p.m. June 13.
Tickets are $15 at the door or $12 in advance. Call 440-635-6390; 440-567-9061 or 440-269-3184 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.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

D-Day remembered at Heartland of Mentor

Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and turned the tide of World War II 71 years ago tomorrow, June 6, 1944. Many of those young men of the D-Day invasion are now in their twilight years and the battle is a memory that by the grace of God they survived.
I am certain that many of the television channels will present programs about this invasion on the shores of France in 1944. I already have seen a few.
Of the five beaches where troops came ashore, two were assigned to the Americans: Utah and Omaha. Two beaches — Gold and Sword — were assigned to the British and the Canadians were assigned Juno.
Troops in landing craft survived rough water on the only clear day reported for weeks, and overcame seasickness, the weight of heavy equipment packs and the possibility of jumping off the craft and drowning with the equipment. Once ashore, they were open to be fired upon from the German guns.
Overcoming all of the obstacles, the young men made it work and broke through the lines, turning the tide of Hitler’s war. To honor those veterans, Heartland of Mentor will host a display of D-Day items in the hospitality room between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. June 6. The collection of Ron Cigany includes items such as uniforms, weapons and memorabilia from D-Day.

Gunny’s Hall annual garage sale
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host its annual garage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 5 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6 at the detachment.
Saturday hours will be half-price day. The sale will benefit the Marine Corps League. For details, call 440-974-9380.

Legion Riders host Traveling Wall
American Legion Riders Chapter 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a Remembrance Tribute to Ohio Veterans featuring the traveling Ohio POW-MIA Vietnam Memorial Wall on June 6.
At 1 p.m., a ceremony will be presented by Rolling Thunder Inc. Chapter 5 Ohio. The event is open to the public. A dinner will be offered following the ceremony and music will be provided by DJ Woody.
For details, call Steve Anderson at 440-413-1055 or Mike Bodnar at 440-346-2141.

Legion hosts golf outing
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, Burton-Middlefield American Legion will host its annual golf outing beginning at 10:30 a.m., June 6 at Pleasant Hills Golf Course, 13461 Aquilla Road in Claridon Township.
Call Bruce Zupancic at 440-897-2396 for details.

Party helps fund scholarship 
The Lance Cpl. David Baker Scholarship Fund Party will begin at 1 p.m. June 7 at American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison.
The afternoon will offer food, a raffle, 50/50 raffle and live music by Larry, Larry, Darryl and Cheryl. For information, call Dean Bader at 440-537-6511.

6th Annual Steak Roast at Newbury Post
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, will host its 6th Annual Steak Roast in Hunter Pavilion behind the post home from 4:30 to 7 p.m., June 13.
Tickets are $15 at the door or $12 in advance. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 440-635-6390; 440-567-9061 or 440-269-3184.

Rolling Thunder participates in Military Night
Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 Ohio will participate in Military Night at Classic Park in Eastlake on June 13, when the Lake County Captains take on the Kane County Cougars at 7 p.m.
Tickets for this special evening must be purchased by June 6. The evening will feature a military service personnel parade, pre-game motorcycle procession, Military Jersey Silent Auction, a supply drive, the POW-MIA remembrance ceremony and fireworks after the game. For details, call 440-975-8085 or email JYorko@Captainsbaseball.com.

Painesville color guard fundraiser
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a fundraiser for its color guard from 7 to 10:30 p.m. June 20 at the post home.
Live music will be performed by Wicked Vinyl. For details, call the post at 440-357-7711.

Father’s Day breakfast
Andy Nowacki , Lake Erie College, American Legion Post 807 will host a Father’s Day pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon June 21 at American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick. Cost is $5 per person.

Annual golf outing at Madison Country Club
The Col. Justice M. Chambers Gene Deka Memorial Golf Classic will be 1 p.m. June 27 at Madison Country Club.
Cost is $80 per person and includes lunch, dinner and refreshments, 18-hole scramble, golf cart, and prizes for longest drives, pin shots and putts.
Tickets must be purchased before June 15. Make checks payable to Col. J.M. Chambers Golf Classic, 8720 Twinbrook Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 or call 440-974-9380 with questions.

Cruise In at Willowick Legion
A Veteran Car and Motorcycle Cruise In will be noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday at American Legion Post 678, 590 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
All cars and motorcycles are welcome. Registration fee is $5 or a donation for the homeless veterans shelter.
The event will offer food, drinks, 50/50 raffle and more. For details, call the post at 440-943-9659.

Gunny’s Hall kitchen summer hours
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will close the kitchen on Mondays for the summer. New hours will be Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Regular menu items will be available and a fish fry will be available on Friday. The Sunday morning breakfasts will not be available again until September.
For details, call the detachment at 440-974-9380.

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.

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