The division over the Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America unfortunately is another blemish on America’s history. The American Civil War was the first, now the nation is dividing again over the battle flag.
Removing the flag will not remove the Civil War from America’s history or the hate that exists in some people’s hearts. This is a period that Americans should study and learn from, so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
The removal of a battle flag or the general deletion of all things Civil War will not make American history any different. It cannot be changed. The only thing that will change the racist attitudes in this country will be to teach our children that we are all one nation and respecting differences is a normal part of life. Americans need to be living under one flag, the Stars and Stripes.
Personally, I find several flags offensive, but the attempted deletion of history or the rewriting of it is an act used by several former world leaders — the ones that come to mind are Hitler, Stalin and Mao. Do you really want that sort of censorship to happen in America?

Catholic War Vets at Parish Festival
The Catholic War Veterans John Paul II Post 1959 will be at St. Justin Martyr Parish Festival in Eastlake from July 24-26 having a membership and poppy drive. Donations are welcome.
Tickets for the reverse raffle also will be on sale. The raffle will be Oct. 24 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake. For information and tickets, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Madison Legion hosts reverse raffle
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a reverse raffle with a $1,000 main board beginning at 4 p.m. July 25 at the post home.
Tickets are $40 per person. For more information, call the post at 440-428-7893.

Car wash and bake sale hosted by youth
The Youth Unit of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty Street in Painesville, will host a car wash and bake sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 25 at the post home.
Funds raised will be used in support of veterans, active duty military, their families and the community. The unit is open to young people ages 5 through 16 who desire to learn volunteerism, leadership, patriotism and team work. Call Jill Householder for information at 440-352-9522.

Men’s Auxiliary hosts steak fry
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a steak fry dinner with all the trimmings from 5 to 7 p.m. July 25 at the post home.
Dinners are $12 each. For details, call Jane at 440-354-9090.

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. 8 at the post home. Coffee and doughnuts will be served to all veterans in attendance. For details, call 440-563-8715.

Chardon Ladies host annual Chinese Auction
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at the post home.
For details, call 440-285-3699.

Breakfast helps support Veterans Appreciation Day
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will again host Veterans Appreciation Day from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at the post home.
This is a free event for all veterans and their spouses. There will be food, music and veteran-oriented vendors.
To keep this event free, the post will host a breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9. The cost is $5.

Learn to Ride at Mentor dealership
Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor, is offering Operation Personal Freedom Ride Free through Sept. 13.
All current and former U.S. military personnel can learn to ride for free through the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy. Learn more about this program by stopping at the store or by logging onto H-D.com/militarylearntoride.

Toys for Tots golf outing Sept. 12
Col. Justice M. Chambers Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, has rescheduled the annual Toys for Tots golf outing.
The event will be Sept. 12 at Madison Country Club, 6130 Chapel Road in Madison.
Tickets are $80 for players and $20 for the dinner only. Hole sponsorships and tickets for the golf outing are available. Call Gunny’s Hall at 440-974-9380 or Joe Brooks at 440-477-1810.

Newbury legion hosts farmers market
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, hosts the Community Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 12.
Vendors are supplied with a table under the pavilion and easy access for $5 per day. For information, email bob810@windstream.net, or call 440-564-7441 or 440-567-9061 to reserve a space.

Madison Legion schedules golf outing
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host its annual golf outing beginning at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 1.
Tickets are $65 per person and sign-up is required by July 26. Call the post at 440-428-7893 for reservations and 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.

Veterans in Lake and Geauga counties are busy with events this month.
The Willoughby American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit can be proud that Martha Setlock is now the American Legion Department of Ohio president. Setlock has been a very active Auxiliary Unit 214 member for a number of years and will be an added benefit at the department level. Congratulations, Martha.
Veterans Appreciation Day will make a return to American Legion Post 336 in Painesville on Sept. 18. This event is a free one for veterans and their spouses and offers a chance to get together while getting information about benefits the veteran may be entitled to. Don’t miss the chance to attend.

Legion Riders host Red Eye Run
American Legion Riders Chapter 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host the Fifth Annual 336 Red Eye Run beginning at 11 a.m. July 18. The run starts and ends at the post home and proceeds will benefit veterans charities. Tickets are $15 for riders and $10 for passengers. Motorcycle is not required and the run goes rain or shine.
For details, call Steve Anderson at 440-209-8724 or Mike Bodnar at 440-346-2141.

Toys for Tots Golf outing rescheduled
The Col. Justice M. Chambers Toys for Tots Golf Outing at Madison Country Club, 6130 Chapel Road in Madison, has been postponed until noon Sept. 12.
Registration is available for the new date. Cost to play is $80 per person.
The dinner and prizes will be at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor. Dinner-only tickets are $20 per person. For reservations, call Joe Brooks at 440-477-1810 or Gunny’s Hall at 440-974-9380.

Farmers Market at Newbury Post
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, will host a farmers market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 12.
Call 440-564-7441 or 440-567-9061 for details or reservations.

Legion Auxiliary serves bratwurst
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will serve a bratwurst sandwich dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. July 10 at the post home. Dinners include sandwich, macaroni salad, chips and dessert.
For details, call 440-357-7711.

Pig roast at Madison Post 112
American Legion Riders of Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a pig roast at 2 p.m. July 11 at the post home. Elm Street Blues band will be perform.
For details call 440-428-7893.

Veteran-owned businesses topic of event
Veteran-owned businesses are the focus of an event from 8 a.m. to noon July 22 at the Holden University Center at Lakeland Community College.
The program is free and includes breakfast while giving veterans an opportunity to learn about: special financial programs available just for veteran-owned businesses; contacting opportunities and government set-aside programs for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses; and no-cost counseling services to help grow a veteran’s business.
To register, visit Lakeland Community College’s website at lakelandcc.edu or call Karen Wivell at 440-525-7739.

Rolling Thunder hosts Annual picnic
Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 Ohio will host the 18th annual picnic at Louis B. Stokes Veterans Affairs Hospital on July 25.
The annual event for house patients and residents at the hospital will include hot dogs and hamburgers. A disc jockey and bagpipers will entertain.
This event includes many volunteer organizations dedicated to making the fun afternoon a success for the veterans of the hospital.

Post 112 hosts reverse raffle
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a reverse raffle with a $1,000 main board beginning at 4 p.m. July 25 at the post home.
For more information, call 440-428-7893.

Catholic veterans group at festival
Catholic War Veterans, John Paul II Post 1959 will be at the St. Justin Martyr Parish Festival in Eastlake from July 24 through 26 hosting a membership and poppy drive.
Donations are welcome. The post will be selling tickets for the reverse raffle on Oct. 24, at the Patrician Party Center.
Tickets are $65 for the main board and $35 for an extra dinner ticket. Only 175 tickets will be sold. For information or tickets, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Golf outing scheduled for Madison Post
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a golf outing on Aug. 1. Golfers are asked to sign up by July 26.
Cost is $65 per person and tee time is 11:30 a.m. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Painesville post hosts Veterans Appreciation Day
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a Veterans Appreciation Day from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at the post home.
This event will be free to all veterans and their spouses. Free food, music and veteran-oriented vendors will be participating.
To help keep the event free, the post will host a breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 at the post home. The cost will be $5 and the morning also will include some raffle items. Donations for the raffles are now being accepted.

VFW booth at Party in the Park
Painesville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595 will host a booth at Painesville Party in the Park from July 17 through 19.
The booth will be a place to obtain information on any of the VFW or Ladies Auxiliary programs, enter into a drawing for a flag set or obtain membership information. Membership for any active duty eligible service person is free. Call Jill or George Householder for information at 440-352-9522.

Euclid Vets annual car show July 19
Euclid Vets Association will host its third annual classic car cruise-in and motorcycle show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19 at Tizzano’s Party Center, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid.
Dash plaques and goodie bags will be given to owners of the first 100 cars. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted. For details, call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.

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.

Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 of Ohio members gathered at the Eastlake Dog Park and War Dog Memorial on the morning of Aug. 16.
The nine members cleaned up the memorial area and planted bushes and flowers. They will next be scheduling a flag raising ceremony at the memorial.
This group is active in veteran affairs and is always doing something to help the veterans and promote the idea that we can never forget the POW/MIAs that never returned home.
Chapter President Winston Bailey and the Rev. Jim Cozzarin were in Columbus Aug. 13, for the official unveiling of the new POW/MIA Ohio License plates. Now any Ohio auto or motorcycle owner can express the sentiment of Rolling Thunder with a vehicle plate featuring the POW/MIA flag likeness.
Perhaps the greatest legacy Rolling Thunder can leave is the peaceful demonstration that occurs each year on Memorial Day weekend when an estimated one million motorcycles descend on our nation’s capital to remind this country’s lawmakers and the nation that there are still empty places at dinner tables all over this country that belong to men who did not return.

Fisher House fundraiser
at Fairport VFW Post
Lake County Veterans Service Office and VFW 7754, Men’s and Ladies Auxiliaries in Fairport have teamed up to raise funds for the Greater Cleveland Fisher House. A reverse raffle and dinner will be Sept. 6 at the VFW post, 540 New St.
Tickets are $30 per person and include dinner, open bar and a ticket on the main board. Any donations for the auction would be greatly appreciated.
The Fisher House is hoping to break ground in spring 2015. For details on the event, to make donations or to get tickets, 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.

Burton Legion to host 
Patriot Day program
American Legion Post 459, of Burton, will host a Patriot Day Program at 11 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Burton Village Gazebo, in Burton. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.

Fish fry meals return 
to Fairport VFW
VFW Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will begin serving fish fry lunch and dinners Sept. 12  at the post home. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. For details, call the post at 440-352-1123.

Gunny’s Hall hosts clambake
A clambake will be served Sept. 13 at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor. Reservations are 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.

Shannon McBride Scholarship
fundraiser on Sept. 13
A fundraiser for the Shannon McBride Scholarship endowment at Lakeland Community College (Jim McBride Basic Police Academy scholarship; Fairport Harbor Police Association and CPD Pipes and Drums Band Uniform Fund) 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 FHPD Chief Mark Kish for tickets or email chiefjtm@aol.com.

POW/MIA, Remembrance and Flag retirement in Painesville
VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St., 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.

Civil Air Patrol serving spaghetti dinner at Painesville Post
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, and proceeds will benefit Civil Air Patrol programs.
For details, call Ken Voyticky at 440-655-6600.

Veterans’ Appreciation Day
set for Sept. 26 
A Veterans Appreciation Day is planned Sept. 26 at American Legion Post 336, Chester St. in Painesville. The event will be hosted by the Painesville VA Clinic and 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 an annual 
fundraiser at 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. The post is looking for sponsors and rockers for the event. For details, call 440-259-4242.

Legion 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 information call the post home at 440-943-9659.

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.