Fall has got to be my favorite time of year. The season change brings about the cooler temperatures and the trees change color.
There is a flurry of activity as we put away the summer toys and begin to dig in for the long cold winter. This is also the time of year that begins a blizzard of activities at all of the posts.
Fall is clambake season; on Veterans Day, we remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice; and of course it is the time of year that preparations for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball are well underway.
The season’s first event will be the Fall Veterans Memorial Service at 12:15 p.m. Oct. 3 in front of Mentor City Hall, 8500 Civic Center Drive.
This will be the 13th year that the event has taken place to honor all veterans and the families of the fallen.
This year, the special guest will be Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces.
The senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serves as the principal military adviser to the chairman and secretary of defense.
The service is open to the public and is free of charge. For details, contact Joe Lucarelli at 216-235-9011 or at joedevildog624@aol.com or Jon Warmeling at 440-350-2570 or at Jon.Warmeling@lakecountyohio.gov.

Veterans event
Veterans Appreciation Day will be 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 18 at American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville.
This is a celebration for veterans, with food, prizes, benefit information and more.
For more information, contact the Painesville Veterans Affairs Clinic at 440-357-6740.

Operation Sub Zero golf outing
Operation Sub Zero will host a golf outing at Madison Golf and Country Club beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sept.19.
Tickets are $100 per golfer and include 18 holes, cart, goodie bag, lunch, steak dinner, keg beer, Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and a shotgun start will be at noon.
Hole sponsors and donation of items for the auction would be gratefully accepted. Hole sponsors are $100. For details, contact Del Bethel at del@subzeromission.org.

Painesville Legion offers dinner
The Auxiliary of American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a breaded pork chop dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19. The dinners will be $9 each and all are welcome.
For details, call the post at 440-357-7711.

Breakfast at Painesville VFW
The Men’s Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 20 at the post home. The breakfast will be served until it is gone and is $5 per person.
For details, call 440-354-9090.

Sixth annual post clambake
The sixth annual VFW Post 3863 Ladies Auxiliary clambake will be 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at the post home, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake (behind the Save a Lot store).
Chicken dinner is $21; steak dinner is $23 and an extra dozen clams will be $8.
All tickets must be purchased by Sept. 18 at the post home. For information or further questions, call the post at 440-942-3980.

Newbury Legion hosts pig roast
Newbury American Legion Post 663 and its Auxiliary Unit will host the sixth annual pig roast from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 in the Hunter Pavilion behind the post at 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township.
Tickets are $15 at the door or $12 in advance. Call 440-635-6390 or 440-834-1159 for tickets or more information.

Breakfast helps homeless 
The Auxiliary of American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast with eggs and sausage from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 27 at the post.
Proceeds will benefit Department of Ohio President Martha Setlock’s special project for homeless veterans. Subzero Mission will be on site to collect new or gently used winter coats, winter gloves and sleeping bags. For details, call the post at 440-357-7711.

World War II vets to be guests
VFW Post 4358, 29412 White Road in Willoughby Hills, will host a celebration and recognition of World War II veterans from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the post home. Reservations must be in by Oct. 7.
This is an invitation to any WWII veterans and is free for those veterans and their spouse or caregiver. Tickets for additional guests will be sold only if space is available.
This is the post’s way of saying thank you and to let those veterans know they are not forgotten.
To make a reservation, call the post at 440-944-1642 and ask for event chairman Ron Tipton. If he is not available, he will promptly return calls.

Ninth District Homecoming 
American Legion Ninth District will host a homecoming for Commander Kevin Carroll at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick. The homecoming will be “Margaritaville Style” with BBQ, drinks and music. Tickets are $20 per person and are sold in advance. For tickets call Commander Kevin Carroll at 440-567-1847 or Kim Carroll for 440-567-9751.

Gunny’s Hall annual clambake
The annual clambake at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor, will be 4 p.m. Oct. 10. The bake is $22 per person and extra clams are $7 per dozen. Only 80 bakes will be offered so tickets are limited.
To purchase tickets stop in at Gunny’s Hall; for more information call 440-974-9380.

Willoughby post hosts fish fry
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, hosts fish fries on the first and third Friday of the month.
Dinner is served 5 to 8 p.m., the all-you-can-eat beer batter fried pollock is $10. A full menu is also available. For details, call the post at 440-951-9233.

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.

I was recently given a copy of the magazine Volunteer by a friend who is a member of the Painesville Civil Air Patrol.
Knowing I liked aviation, he thought I would enjoy the magazine full of stories about flying and the Civil Air Patrol. I was surprised to find a story about “Smilin’ Jack’” a cartoon character who flew airplanes. I had no idea there was a comic strip by this name, it’s the same name I’ve been calling this friend for several years. The nickname fits, because he is always smiling.
The comic began in 1933 and ran on the comic pages until 1973, when “Smilin’ Jack” retired. The creator, Zack Mosley, was a member of the Civil Air Patrol Squadron that flew from Coastal Patrol Base 3 in Lantana, Florida, eventually becoming a colonel in the Civil Air Patrol.
The nationally syndicated cartoon was seen all over the country.
The patrol helped with submarine spotting and chasing during the war along the coast. At the time, civilian single-engine planes were outfitted with small bombs in case they had the opportunity to hit an enemy ship. Today, the Civil Air Patrol teaches young people about aviation and search and rescue.
The Painesville squadron will host a spaghetti dinner at American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, on April 11. The dinner will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. and is $6 per person.
Proceeds will benefit cadets attending the annual encampment this summer.

Fish fry at Fairport Harbor VFW Post 7754
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will host a fish fry lunch and dinner on April 3 at the post home. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner 4 to 7 p.m. Carryout will be available. For details or to order a meal, call 440-352-1123.

Gunny’s Hall closed 
for Easter
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will not serve breakfast on April 5 because it will be closed for Easter Sunday. For details or questions, call the hall at 440-974-9380.

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 ages 12 and younger is $5. For more information, call 440-635-0223.

Blessing of the Bikes at Willowick Post
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host the Second Annual Blessing of the Bikes April 12. The parking lot will open at 10 a.m., with the blessing at noon.

Fundraiser benefits
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 basket of cheer and an iPad mini with a keyboard case will be raffled off. Tickets are $5 each for the raffle. DJ Trenda will entertain from 7 to 11 p.m. Donations are being gratefully accepted.
Call 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m. 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.

Deepwood Run begins 
at Gunny’s Hall
The Deepwood Run will be 9 a.m. April 19 at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor.
The run is $15 per person and will feature a breakfast buffet with bloody marys, a Chinese auction and raffles. Event proceeds will help enhance the quality of life of persons with developmental disabilities. Tickets may be purchased online at thedeepwoodrun.org or by calling 440-350-5209.

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. 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.

Open house 
for Operation STAT
The First Operation STAT Open House will be May 16 at VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake.
Standing Tall for American Troops will offer free hamburgers and hot dogs at the event. The open house will educate the public and veterans of the services offered by the organization.
Other military organizations will be invited and be on hand to answer questions, provide information, and promote their groups.
The event is open to the public.

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. 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.

Editor's note: The phone number for information on the Fifties and Sixties Dance has been corrected.

There has been a lot of debate in the news this past week regarding the announcement that women will now be allowed to serve in combat.
I never thought I would see this happen in my lifetime and now that it has I am not certain it will be a good thing.
Let me explain.
When I was a teenager and thought I could do anything if I tried hard enough, everything was a possibility. Eighteen-year-olds usually do think that way, but as a parent, I now have a different thought process.
I am not sure that my daughter or anyone’s daughter should be assigned to the front lines.
Females have less upper body strength — how would they be able to continuously carry the necessary field gear or a wounded soldier to safety?
Not all of the military occupational specialties will be open to women, but the announcement definitely opened more doors for women, and in doing so it also causes more questions than answers.
Our society is one of males programmed to be protectors. How will this affect those who are shoulder to shoulder with a female in a fire fight? Will the males be protecting their fellow female soldiers and putting themselves at greater risk?
I realize I sound like a shrinking violet and I do not want that. I know several very capable women who could not only defend themselves but also compete toe to toe with men in the field. These women are few and far between.
How will placing women in combat affect the manpower limits that already have the services downsizing? After the announcement, I had more questions than I did answers.
I understand there is time for the services to decide which specialties to restrict and to form policy about females on the front lines but in the intervening time more answers need to be given.
Israel has had a successful draft with women conscripted for two years while men are conscripted for three, how will the new American policy affect our selective service rules?
There are at least a dozen countries that allow women on the front lines. Norway became the first NATO country to do so in 1985.
Personally I have not gotten enough answers to really form an opinion. How about you?

Fish fry time
February is here already and that means many posts and detachments in the area will be starting the Friday night tradition of fish fry dinners.
If you have not already sent in the information please do so as soon as possible so that the post dinner can be included in the annual fish fry dinner list.
Submit details to the address indicated at the bottom of this column.

Meeting times needed
Many posts in the area have not submitted the information regarding meeting times.
I would like to have the schedule of meeting by Feb. 15. Please, if you have not done so already submit the meeting times for all of the groups meeting at the post home. Include the auxiliaries, riders and junior groups.
For details, call 440-954-7256 or email LGaler@news-herald.com.

Operation CPA helps deployed forces
The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accounts is offering free tax preparation services to Ohio military families this tax season.
Through April, Ohio CPAs will prepare 2012 tax returns for military personnel who are permanent residents of Ohio and currently deployed outside of the state.
Operation CPA is a partnership with the Ohio National Guard and provides a valuable service to help ease the burden of deployment on Ohio Military families.
To find an Operation CPA volunteer in your area, call toll free at 888-959-1212 or email cpanswers@ohio-cpa.com. 

Chili cook off in Painesville
American Legion Post 336 Riders will host a chili cook-off from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the post home, 60 Chester St. in Painesville.
Cost of the tasting will be $4 a person. The event will also include a Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle. There is no charge to enter and the judging is by popular vote of the tasters.
For those entering, please provide at least two quarts of chili per entry so everyone will get to taste.
For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Four Chaplins
service in Burton
Atwood-Mauck Post 459 of the American Legion, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a Four Chaplins Program beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday at the post home.
For details, call 440-834-1911.

Annual Auxiliary fundraiser in Mentor-on-the-Lake
AMVETS Post 109 Ladies Auxiliary, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will host its annual fundraiser steak dinner and Chinese auction Feb. 9.
Dinner is served from 5 to
7 p.m. and the auction and a DJ will follow.
Tickets are $15 each or two for $25. Only 100 tickets are sold.
Call Sue Makse at 440-257-4342 or the post at 440-257-9217 for tickets.

Burton post
serves pancakes
Atwood-Mauck Post 459 of the American Legion, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast at the post home from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 17 and 24. For details, call 440-343-1478.

Junior Girls host
spaghetti dinner
Junior Girls Unit of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a spaghetti dinner 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 10 at the post home.
The girls are between the ages of 5 and 16 years and are the daughters, sisters, and granddaughters of men and women eligible to join the VFW. Funds raised will be used for support of the VFW National Military Services Fund which includes Operation Uplink (free call days), Unmet Needs (for families and active duty military) and the Military Assistance Program.
For details, call Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Wickliffe post site
of Rock n Roll dance
American Legion Post 7, 29919 Euclid Ave. in Wickliffe, will rock n roll Saturday, Feb. 16, when the Wickliffe Council of the Knights of Columbus hosts a 50’s-60’s Dance in the Legion Hall.
Tickets are $10 for singles and $15 for couples.
Burgers and hot dogs will be available for purchase as well as canned beer. Door prizes and a grand prize of a 50 inch Television will be part of the fun.
For tickets or details, call 216-355-4633.

Dinner benefits
Boulevard of Flags
A fundraiser for the Boulevard of 500 Flags will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at the American Legion Hall of Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
All money raised will be used to replace flag poles and worn American flags at the Boulevard.
Tickets are $20 per person or $35 per couple. The evening will include dinner, open bar, Chinese auction and side boards.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at the American Legion post and at VFW 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake.


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.