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.

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.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us. There will be cookouts, families will get together and perhaps everyone will take in a parade.
The weekend is a time to remember those who have fallen in defense of the country.
I might be showing my age, but I can remember when it was called Decoration Day. When I heard that, I knew that my brother, sister and I would be piled into the car, among flower pots and gardening tools. My grandmother lived with us until I was in my early teens, so we would make the annual trip to the cemetery to plant flowers and “decorate” the graves for the holiday.
The holiday has been known as Memorial Day since 1966. I have always found it interesting that the day originally started after the Civil War to remember the fallen of what was arguably the most divisive time in our country’s history and we still honor the fallen 150 years later.

Buddy Poppies distributed at Madison Tractor Supply Co.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8548 will “Salute the Troops” between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. May 23 with the annual “Buddy Poppy” distribution. The distribution connects the VFW with the community, helps to recruit members and promote VFW programs. Stop by the Madison Tractor Supply Co. at 6603 North Ridge Road, Madison for a Buddy Poppy.

Sunday car and motorcycle cruise-in at Willowick post
The Veteran Car and Motorcycle Cruise-In will be noon to 4 p.m. each Sunday at American Legion Post 678, 590 E. 328th St. in Willowick. All cars and motorcycles are welcome.
A registration fee of $5 or a donation for the Homeless Veterans Shelter will be asked. The afternoon event will include food, drinks, prizes and a 50/50 raffle. For details, call the post home at 440-943-9659.

Painesville Legion serves lunch
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will be serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For questions, call 440-357-7711.

Legion Riders host Ohio POW-MIA Wall
The American Legion Riders of Painesville American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host the Ohio POW-MIA Vietnam Memorial Wall on June 6 at the post. A ceremony will be presented by Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 Ohio at 1 p.m.
The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. The post will host a group of veterans from the Wade Park Veterans Affairs Medical Center for this event.
The public is encouraged to attend and to spend time with our veterans. For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Legion hosts golf outing in Chardon
Atwood-Mauck Post 459 of the American Legion will host its sixth annual golf outing on June 6 at Pleasant Hills Golf Course, 13461 Aquilla Road in Claridon Township.
Sign-in time will be 10:30 a.m. For details, call Bruce Zupancic at 440-897-2396.

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

Marine Corps League hosts annual golf outing
The Col. J.M. Chambers Gene Deka Memorial Golf Classic will begin at 1 p.m. June 27 at Madison Country Club. The shotgun start will be 1 p.m. and all golfers are requested to use soft spikes only.
Tickets for this event are $80 and include lunch, dinner and refreshments, 18 hole scramble and cart. Prizes will be given for the longest drive, pin shots, a putting contest and more.
For tickets, make checks payable to the Col. J.M. Chambers Golf Classic, and mail to Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 or call 440-974-9380. Reservation deadline is June 15.

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.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been all over the news in the past few weeks.
In my opinion, no matter how veterans health care and claims are handled, processing will never be done fast enough for those who fought for the rights we all share and enjoy. The men and women who served deserve the best care that is available and should have been getting that sort of care from the beginning.
I am sure there are improvements that need to be made, and technology and the aging veteran population demand that those changes are made. Perhaps a faster processing time, shorter wait times in the emergency rooms or more outpatient clinics for easier accessibility. Whatever is needed should be done and done as quickly as possible.
There is not a place or a person that is perfect and there will never be a 100 percent effective health care system. What disappoints me is the fact that this country’s heroes are paying the price for the inadequacy of that system.

Burton Legion fifth annual 
golf outing
American Legion Post 459 in Burton will host its fifth annual golf outing beginning with registration at 10:30 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Golf Course in Chardon. For discounted tickets in advance or further information, call Bruce at 440-897-2396. Proceeds will benefit scholarships, Americanism and various American Legion programs.

Ohio POW-MIA Vietnam 
Memorial Wall in Painesville
Painesville American Legion Riders Chapter 336 will host “A Remembrance Tribute to Ohio Veterans” at 1 p.m. June 7. The event will feature the traveling Ohio POW-MIA Vietnam Memorial Wall and a ceremony dedicated to veterans will be presented by Rolling Thunder Inc. Chapter 5 Ohio. The event is open to the public and will be at the post home, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. For details, call Steve Anderson at 440-413-1055 or Mike Bodnar at 440-346-2141.

Legion Riders’ third annual 
flea market
Madison Post 112, American Legion Riders will host the third annual flea market and craft sale at the post, Middle Ridge Road and Route 528 in Madison. The flea market will start at 9 a.m. and is open to the public. Lunches will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Space is still available. For details, call 440-724-6871 and leave your name and phone number. All money raised will benefit Veterans Helping Veterans.

Father’s Day pancake 
breakfast
Blue Star Mothers Geneva No. 57 will host a pancake breakfast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 15 at Geneva Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 76 on Depot Road in Geneva. Tickets will be available at the door.

Rummage sale in Chardon
The Ladies Auxiliary Annual Rummage Sale will be June 20 and 21 at VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon. There will be an eclectic mix of goodies and a bake sale on site. Donations will be accepted.
For more information, call 440-567-0748 or 440-834-1753.

Military Night with the Captains
Military Night with the Lake County Captains will be June 21 at 7 p.m. against the South Bend Silver Hawks. The night is open to current military personnel and veterans. Rolling Thunder will be a large part of the evening festivities. There will be fireworks after the game. For discounted tickets, call 440-975-8085, ext. 116.

VFW hosts Swiss steak 
dinner
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 4358, 29412 White Road in Willoughby Hills, will host a Swiss steak dinner from 3 to 5 p.m. June 29 at the post home. Dinners are $9 per dinner. For information or tickets, call VFW Post 440-944-1642 or Rosina Drenski at 440-944-4903.

Rotary ride benefits veterans
Burton-Middlefield Rotary will sponsor an escorted motorcycle run on June 29 at the Geauga County Fairgrounds, 14373 N. Cheshire St. in Burton, beginning at 10 a.m. sharp. The ride will be led by Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland with his dog Midge. The sheriff will take the participants on a 55-mile ride through Geauga County. Cost is $25 per motorcycle, which includes a rider for free.
The ride will benefit Burton-Middlefield Rotary Veterans Housing and Assistance Fund. To date, the Rotary Club has raised more than $100,000 for Geauga County veterans through various projects, including the Geauga County Veterans Memorial, Veterans Giant Eagle Gift Cards, and veterans housing, along with providing veterans’ assistance with heating oil this past winter.
Registration forms are available online at bmrmotorcyclerun.com. Registration the day of the ride will begin at 8 a.m.

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.