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.

I was never a huge fan of Facebook. I started using it because my daughter moved out of state and it offered a quick way to stay connected. I have to admit I am becoming fonder of checking and posting to Facebook.
One of the first “likes” I made was to the International Women’s Air and Space Museum. The museum in Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport has always held a fascination for me since it is airplanes, female pilots and history.
A recent post made by the museum caught my attention. The post concerned a little known bombing group called Nachthexen. Translated from German, it means “Night Witches.” I had never heard of the Soviet 588th Night Bomber Regiment. Chalk up another point in favor of Facebook.
With a little research, I found the Soviet 588th was a female squadron that used Po-2 wood and fabric biplanes to bomb German troops. These gals were either very brave or totally nuts.
The Polikarpov Po-2 had a top cruising speed of 94 mph — much slower that the stall speed of the German Me-109, the aircraft charged with shooting the Night Witches out of the sky. These gals used the old and slow airplanes to their advantage: The Po-2 was very maneuverable and by throwing the plane into a tight turn, the Me-109 could not follow.
Each of the female pilots is said to have flown 1,000 missions and the unit completed 23,000 sorties. The ladies dropped an estimated 3,000 tons of bombs on the Germans. Thirty of these brave women were killed in action.
Since I saw the Facebook posting, the research into these women has fascinated me. I learned that the German high command offered an Iron Cross to any pilot who could shoot a Night Witch out of the sky. The Iron Cross was one of the highest honors awarded to the military in Germany at that time.
24th Annual Marine Corps League golf outing
The annual Col. J.M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League will host its 24th annual Golf Classic beginning at noon, Saturday at Madison Country Club.
Entrance fee is $120 per player and includes 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, lunch, cart and a steak dinner at Gunny’s Hall immediately following the golf. Trophies will be awarded to the first-place team and numerous skills prizes, such as long drives, closest to the pin, etc., also will be awarded.
To play or to be a sponsor, call Gene Deka at 440-668-8777.
Euclid Vets Classic Car Cruise
The Euclid Veterans Association will host a Classic Car Cruise-In from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Tizzano’s Party Center parking lot, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid, just south of Route 2.
Any and all classics up to 1979 are welcome. There is no charge for the show, but donations for the wounded will be gratefully accepted. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 cars.
Donations will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Veteran’s Best Friend. For details, call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.
Chardon Post to host Chinese auction
Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary of Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction and bake sale from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 3. There will be more than 100 items to bid on. Tickets are priced six for $4; 12 for $7; or 20 for $10. Winner need not be present. Just put your name and phone number on the ticket.
For details, call Paula Geiss at 440-625-0192.
GI get-together at Burton Post
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a GI get-together from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 10, at the post home. The event is free to veterans and coffee and doughnuts will be served. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.
Free day for Veterans at county fair
Veterans Day at the Lake County Fair will be Aug. 14. There will be free admission for all honorably discharged veterans, and please make sure you sign in at the Veteran Service Commission booth.
A special program to honor veterans will be at 1800 hours and normally lasts about an hour. Color guards are invited to participate in the presentation of the colors. Colors will be retired in place.
This year, the program will memorialize the ending of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. All veterans will be honored.
Vintage Quilts at D-Day Conneaut
Conneaut Quilters Guild will sponsor a vintage World War II quilt show Aug. 16-17 at the D-Day Conneaut event. Sue Reich, a national authority on quilts of the era, will bring 40 vintage quilts from 1941 to 1945 with patriotic and military themes.
The quilt display will be part of the annual D-Day re-enactment in Conneaut. For more details, visit www.coveringquilthistory.com or www.ddayohio.us.
Annual steak roast Aug. 17
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host its annual steak roast from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17 at the post home. Tickets in advance are $17 per person and available from any post member. Tickets are $21 per person at the door. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.
Veterans Hospitality Dinner served in Kirtland
A Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland. The dinner and dessert are free and families are welcome. This is a family event to bring area veterans together in appreciation of your service.
Register in advance at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food and staff.
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.