Team Red, White and Blue addresses mental health issues within the veterans community through endurance sports, leadership training camps and volunteer activities to enhance the lives of veterans and assist them in reintegration into the local community.
Thomas Beers, veterans outreach director of Team RWB Cleveland/Akron, will speak at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland at 11:45 a.m. Nov. 11. The public is welcome.
The Cleveland/Akron chapter of Team RWB will participate in the national flag relay on Nov. 4. The relay is being done to show support for our nation’s heroes as it crosses the country carried by members of the RWB team. The relay began Sept. 11 in San Francisco, California, and will end on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, just outside of Washington, D.C., at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Team Cleveland/Akron has 12 runners who will participate over challenging terrain, beginning in Fairview, Ohio, just east of Columbus, crossing the Ohio River into West Virginia and ending in Claysville, Pennsylvania. Team Cleveland/Akron is the only RWB team that will step into three states. For more information about Team Red, White and Blue, visit TEAMRWB.org.

Ladies Auxiliary President visits Painesville post
The Ladies Auxiliary of Painesville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host State President Sandra Uzell at a whistle stop membership pickup visit at 3 p.m. Nov. 2 at the post home. For details, call Auxiliary President Diane McSween at 440-354-3350 or District 7 Membership Chairman Judy Uehlinger at 440-466-7947.

‘Dine to Donate’ at Applebee’s
Operation S.T.A.T. will host a “Dine to Donate” night at Applebee’s on Maplegrove Road in Willoughby Hills on Nov. 5. Applebee’s will donate 15 percent of the bill to Operation S.T.A.T. from each patron who visits the restaurant with the Dine to Donate flier. The flier is available on the Operation STAT Facebook page.

Marine Corps Birthday Ball announced
The 239th USMC Birthday Ball sponsored by Marine Corps League Detachment 782 will be 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 8 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 133 South Spruce St. in Jefferson. The event is open to the public and tickets are $45 per couple or $25 per single. For details, call Tom Lucas Jr. at 440-813-3914.

Legion Auxiliary raffles basket
The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a basket raffle.
The basket contains $50 gift certificates from local merchants.
The drawing will be during the intermission of Sunday bingo on Nov. 9. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. If interested, call Maribeth Shankman at 216-408-6284.

Leroy post hosts pork chop dinner
Leroy-Thompson VFW Post 7939, 12827 Painesville Warren Road in Leroy Township, will host a pork chop dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at the post home. Dinners will be $12 each. For details, call 440-254-0609.

Catholic War Veterans recruiting week
Catholic War Veterans of the United States will be actively recruiting the week of Nov. 8-16 at Catholic churches in the Greater Cleveland area. Organized in 1935, membership is open to baptized Catholic men and women who served at least 90 days active duty in any branch of the Armed Forces. For details about National Recruitment, week visit www.cwv.org.

Madison Library helps with fundraising
The Madison Public Library, 6111 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, is helping local veterans with the naming of the Madison High School football field.
The field will be the “Dick Hamblin Field.” Hamblin was the first local casualty of the Vietnam War.
The library will have a donation jar out at the library the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 10 to 15. Funds collected will be used to purchase a sign for under the scoreboard.

SALs host Poor Man’s Reverse Raffle
The Sons of the American Legion will host a Poor Man’s Reverse Raffle beginning at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
Tickets are $15 each and on sale at the bar. Live entertainment by Alex Bevan will follow in the canteen. For details, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Work party at Boulevard of Flags
The Eastlake Boulevard of 500 Flags volunteer committee will host a work party at 9 a.m. Nov. 15 to lower the flags.
The work party is open to anyone who would like to volunteer. Those helping should bring gloves. For information about volunteering, call 440-951-1416.

Fundraiser benefits Fisher House
The Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A. Ladies Auxiliary Chapter 31, will host a benefit for the Greater Cleveland Fisher House from 4 to 10 p.m. Nov. 15 at Tizzano’s Party Center, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid.
Tickets are $30 each and include a buffet dinner served from 5 to 6:45 p.m. and live music. To purchase tickets or donate a raffle basket or item, please call 216-337-8997.

Veterans Hospitality Dinner at Old South Church
A Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland.
The family event is designed to bring area veterans together. This will be the last dinner sponsored by the Ghost Rider Foundation.

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 am looking forward to attending the benefit for Cleveland’s Fisher House Saturday evening.
The Fisher House is most easily explained as a home away from home for families of veterans who are undergoing treatment at the Cleveland Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Wade Park. The housing is free for veterans’ families and it allows the veterans to have a support unit close by while undergoing treatment. Groundbreaking for the Cleveland Fisher House is expected in 2015.
The Lake County Veterans Service Office and the Men’s and Women’s Auxiliaries of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, in Fairport Harbor, will host the fundraiser for the Greater Cleveland Fisher House. A reverse raffle and dinner will be Sept. 6 at the VFW post, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
Tickets are $30 per person and include dinner, open bar and a ticket on the main board. Donations for the auction would be greatly appreciated.
For details, call Gini Geffert at 440-289-5699 or the VFW post at 440-352-1123. For more information about Fisher House, visit www.greaterclevelandfisherhouse.org.

Eastlake War Dog park dedication
Rolling Thunder will raise the POW/MIA Flag at the War Dog Memorial on Lake Shore Boulevard, just east of Route 91 in Eastlake.
 The group spent time cleaning and refurbishing the memorial area with donations of mulch from the city of Eastlake; a flagpole from EZ Pole of Eastlake; three bayberry bushes donated by Pettiti’s Nursery of Madison; and plaques and flags donated by Rolling Thunder Chapter 1.
The memorial will be dedicated following the 9/11 ceremony at Boulevard of 500 Flags at 11 a.m. Sept. 7. The public is welcome to attend.

Ladies Auxiliary serves monthly dinner
VFW Post 8548, 7604 Lake Road E. in Madison, will host the monthly ladies auxiliary dinner on the first Saturday evening of each month at the post home.
The ladies will serve dinner 4 to 7 p.m. each first Saturday and proceeds benefit VFW Auxiliary charities. For details, call the post home at 440-428-3050.

Willoughby VFW Post hosts fish fry dinners
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, hosts a fish fry every first and third Friday of the month 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.

Patriot Day program in Burton
A Patriot Day Program will be hosted by American Legion Post 459 at the Burton Village gazebo in Burton at 11 a.m. Sept. 11.
The public is welcome to attend and observe this solemn holiday. For details, call 440-834-8764.

Clambake at Gunny’s Hall
A Clambake will be served on Sept. 13 at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in  Mentor, with reservations needed by Sept. 6.
The bake will begin at 3 p.m. and offer side boards and a 50/50 raffle. Dinner will be served at 4 p.m.
Dinners are $28 per bake and extra clams will be $7. For reservations, call 440-974-9380.

Fundraiser to benefit scholarships
A fundraiser for the Shannon McBride Scholarship endowment at Lakeland Community College will be 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Fairport VFW, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
The event will include country and western bands, and the Cleveland Police Pipes and Drums.
Tickets are $20 per person. See Jim McBride or Fairport Harbor Police Chief Mark Kish for tickets or email chiefjtm@aol.com

9/11 remembrance at Painesville Post
VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a 9/11 remembrance, POW/MIA recognition and flag retirement program at the post home at 6 p.m. Sept. 14.
The public is welcome. For details call George or Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Sub Zero golf outing scheduled
The Third Annual Sub Zero Mission Charity Golf Outing will be Sept. 20 at Madison Country Club, 6131 Chapel Road in Madison.
To reserve your team, contact Sub Zero Mission at 440-286-1387 or 440-622-4157 or email del@subzeromission.org. Sponsors and players are needed. Tickets are $100.

Civil Air Patrol serve up spaghetti
Painesville Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron 252 will host a spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at the American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville.
The public is welcome. Proceeds benefit Civil Air Patrol programs. For details, call Ken Voyticky at 440-655-6600.

Marine Corps recruiters at Painesville Speedway
United States Marine Corps recruiters will be at the Lake County Speedway when the track hosts National POW/MIA Recognition night at the races Sept. 20 at the track located at 500 Fairport Nursery Road in  Painesville.
Gates will open at 4 p.m. and racing will begin at 6 p.m.

Veterans Appreciation Day at Painesville post
A Veterans Appreciation Day is planned for Sept. 26 at American Legion Post 336 on Chester Street in Painesville.
The event, to be hosted by the Painesville VA Clinic, will include prizes, food, guests, a color guard, benefit information and flu shots. All veterans are welcome.
For details call the Painesville VA Clinic at 440-357-6740.

Rock-a-Thon returns to Perry AMVETS
The 18th Annual Rock-A-Thon to benefit the Hospice of the Western Reserve Peaceful and Proud Program will be Sept. 27 in front of the Perry AMVETS Post 11971, 4129 Main St. in Perry. The post is looking for sponsors and rockers for the event. For details, call 440-259-4242.

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.

Sewing and history have always fascinated me. In August, the two will come together in the form of a quilt show at the D-Day Conneaut event on Aug.16 and 17.
The Conneaut Quilters guild has arranged for the appearance of Sue Reich, a national authority on World War II quilts. Forty vintage quilts from 1941 to 1945 that all have patriotic or military themes will be the subject of her lecture at 7 p.m. Aug. 16.
The guild has made a patriotic quilt to be raffled and a victory garden cafe will be open for lunch.
Details about the D-Day event are available at www.ddayohio.us and information about the quilts is available at www.coveringquilthistory.com.

Mother’s Day
 plant sale at Burton Post
American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a Mother’s Day plant sale from noon to 7 p.m. today; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The sale will include flats, baskets and pots, and will take place rain or shine.
All proceeds raised will benefit the school scholarship fund. For details, call 440-834-4532.

Walk for Fisher House
American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 343 of Euclid will host a Walk for Fisher House on Saturday at Sparky DiBiasio Stadium, 22800 Tracy Ave. in Euclid. Walkers may register for $20 and are encouraged to collect sponsor donations. For details or registration, call Karen Kilkenney at 216-407-1286 or email walkforfisher@roadrunner.com

Junior girls wash cars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Unit 2595 Junior Girls will host a car wash from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the post home, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville.
The girls are ages 5 through 16 and are the daughters, sisters and granddaughters of men and women eligible to join the VFW. Funds raised will be used in support of veterans, active-duty military, their families and the community, including “Appreciation Baskets for Military Families.”
For details, about the group call Jill Householder at 440-352-9522.

Take Mom to breakfast
at Eastlake post
VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake, will serve a Mother’s Day breakfast 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the post home. Breakfast is $5 per person and mothers eat free. For details, call the post home at 440-942-3980.

Rib burn-off benefits USO
The Second Annual Downtown Willoughby Rib Burn-Off will be noon to 8 p.m. May 18, which is Armed Forces Day. Proceeds from the event will benefit USO Northern Ohio. Ribs, beer and wine will be available for purchase, and two stages will provide continuous entertainment. In addition, there will interactive activities provided by the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
Erie Street will be closed during the event.

Run for the River
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 42 of Lake County will host the Sixth Annual Run for the River on May 18. The 70-mile run will begin at Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor, and end at the Wagon Wheel, 1388 Hubbard Road in Madison. Staging will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. and bikes will pull out at 11 a.m. Tickets are $8 per bike in advance and $10 the day of the run. All proceeds will benefit Fisher House and DAV Chapter 42. For tickets, call Mandi at 440-382-6818.

Geauga County World War II
veterans wanted
Geauga County Historical Society is attempting to identify all current Geauga County residents who are veterans of World War II.
The Historical Society will be hosting a tribute dinner for the veterans on May 25 at Century Village Museum’s Bond Building. The dinner is part of a major weekend-long event to commemorate the World War II era.
If someone you know is a veteran of World War II and a resident of Geauga County, please contact the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum office at 440-834-1492 or email info@geaugahistorical.org.

Help stuff the vehicles
Veterans Helping Veterans stuff our vehicles on Memorial Day will be May 27, uptown in Burton or at the open house at American Legion Atwood Mauck Post 459 following the Memorial Day service in the park at 11 a.m.
Items collected will benefit the veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. This event is sponsored by the Burton American Legion Post 459 Auxiliary.
The wish list includes personal care items; covered soap dishes; white socks; white undershirts, underwear in medium to 2-X sizes; puzzle books, books, magazines, candy and gum. For details, call 440-834-0764.

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.

Flags for First Graders teaches first-grade students the importance, etiquette and history of the American flag.
Volunteers from 40/8, an independent fraternal organization of veterans, appear at elementary schools by invitation and present the short lesson.
The program concludes with the first-graders receiving a small flag of their own and a coloring book that reflects what they have learned.
Made possible through donations, the presentations are about 20 minutes long and allow for the students to participate while learning.
For details, call Joe Milmont at 440-275-1296.
 
Sequestration causes
cancellation
The United States Air Force Band has canceled performances for the spring 2013 season, including the performance scheduled for April 3 at Stambaugh Auditorium Concert Hall in Youngstown.
The tours scheduled to take place in April would have been at various locations throughout the northeastern United States.
For questions about the cancellation, call Stambaugh Auditorium Box Office at 330-259-0555.
 
Rolling Thunder appears
at Piston Power
Rolling Thunder, Ohio Chapter 1 will be at the Piston Power show at the I-X Center in Cleveland Friday through Sunday. Their mission is to have a full accounting of our nation’s POWs and MIAs
Rolling Thunder volunteers will be collecting donations for the Wounded Warrior Ohio Monument that will be place at Medina Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5137. The volunteers also will be gathering signatures for the POW/MIA Ohio specialty license plates.
Rolling Thunder also will offer military specialty products including pins, patches and shirts for purchase.
Please visit and witness the Missing Man Table ceremony that will be performed several times each day.
For details, call 440-655-1501.
 
Fairport Ladies
host Lenten breakfast
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will host Lenten breakfasts from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday and March 24 at the post. Cost is $6.
For details, call 440-352-1123.
 
Men’s Auxiliary hosts breakfast
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 8548, 7604 Lake Road E. in Madison Township, will host a sausage gravy and biscuit breakfast with potatoes, eggs, coffee and juice from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the post home. Adult breakfast will be $5 and breakfast for the children will be $3.50. All are welcome.
Call 440-428-3050.
 
Veterans Informational
Seminar in Chardon
Geauga County Veterans Services presents a 2013 Veterans Informational Seminar from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Geauga County Department on Aging, 12555 Ravenwood Drive in Chardon.
All veterans, active-duty service members and dependents are welcome.
Please bring records showing military status and résumé if requesting assistance in seeking employment.
For details, call 440-729-1860.
 
Burton Legion
hosts pancake breakfast
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 7 at the post home.
For details, call 440-343-1478.
 
Reverse raffle at St. Vitus
St. Vitus Post 1655 of the Catholic War Veterans will host a reverse raffle April 16 at the Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave. in Cleveland.
Only 175 main board tickets will be sold for a chance at $2,500 in total cash prizes. The event also includes dinner and an open bar.
Cost for the main board tickets are $60, with additional dinner tickets for only $20. Consolation prizes and side boards also will be available.
Call Mike Blau for tickets and details at 440-954-1426.
 
Walk for Fisher House scheduled
American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 343 of Euclid will sponsor a Walk for Fisher House on May 11 at Euclid High School’s Sparky DiBiasio Stadium.
The event will consist of a one-mile walk, a wellness clinic and representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Fisher House to answer questions about benefits.
For details, call 216-531-5344 after 3 p.m. or email walkforfisher@roadrunner.com.
Greater Cleveland Fisher House will provide free housing for families of hospitalized veterans. An integral part of a veterans healing is having their families nearby.

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.

Confused about Lake County Veterans Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs? Ever wonder what benefits you may be entitled to as a veteran?
The Lake County Veterans Service Commission will present an informational meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 26 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
The presentation will explain what the Veterans Service Commission is and what services are offered.
The agency offers a link between Veterans Affairs and veterans and their dependents. The commission may be able to aid with emergency temporary assistance in some cases and assist in identifying what benefits the veteran, spouse and dependents may be entitled to.
The informational meeting is free and open to the public.
The event is sponsored by VFW Post 7754 and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Need help locating a monument
At one time, an honor roll stood in front of McKinley School on Lost Nation Road in Willoughby. The names of those who were in the armed forces or those killed in World War II were listed on the honor roll. The memorial was in three sections and had three eagles carved into the stones on top.
This stood in an area that has been used as a parking lot. Does anyone know what happened to the monument or where it might have been moved to?

Reverse raffle to benefit
Fisher House Cleveland
A $1,000 grand prize reverse raffle and Chinese auction to benefit the Greater Cleveland Fisher House will be 5 p.m. Saturday at VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
Tickets are $25 per person and include food, open bar and side boards. All proceeds will benefit the construction of a Cleveland Fisher House, where families of veterans can stay for free while their veteran is undergoing treatment at veterans facilities in Cleveland.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The drawing begins at 8:30. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.

Ladies serve breakfast
Ladies Auxiliary of Painesville VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday at the post home. For details, call the post at 440-354-9090

Cabbage roll dinner in
Willoughby Hills
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 4358, 29412 White Road in Willoughby Hills, will host a cabbage roll dinner from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the post home. Donation is $8 per dinner. Call 440-944-1642 or Rosina Drenski at 440-944-4903 for reservations.

Annual Rock-a-Thon returns
AMVETS 20th District Ladies Auxiliary will host the Annual Rock-a-Thon at Perry Post 1971, 4128 Main Street in Perry, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29. This is a fundraiser benefiting Hospice of the Western Reserve. The 20th District includes Mentor Post 40; Mentor-on-the-Lake Post 109, Maple Heights Post 80, Richfield Post 176 and Perry Post 1971.
Rockers are needed to rock in the rocking chairs and sponsors are also welcome. For details about rocking or donating, call Gertie Rorabaugh at 440-259-4242.

Young Marines Garage Sale
Gather all the unwanted items around the house and donate them to the Young Marines Garage Sale, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 29 and 30 at 1295 South Broadway in Geneva. Call 440-812-0126 to arrange for donation. The sale will be open to the public and proceeds will help support the Young Marines’ trip to Washington, D.C., scheduled for Oct. 10.

DAV chapter meets in Mentor
Lake County Chapter 42 Disabled American Veterans meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Marine Corps League Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor. Meetings begin at 11 a.m. and last about an hour. All disabled American veterans are welcome.

Incoming
The 237th USMC Birthday Celebration sponsored by Marine Corps League Detachment 782 will be 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 10 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 133 S. Spruce St. in Jefferson.
The event is open to the public. Dress is business casual. Tickets include dinner, beverage, dancing, ceremony and more.
Tickets are $45 per couple and $25 a single.
Come and help celebrate the birthday of America’s Marines with your local Marine Corps veterans and members of the Pvt. Henry Kalinowski Marine Corps League Detachment 782.
For details, call Tom Lucas Jr. at 440-992-5861 or 440-813-3914.

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.