17th Veterans Breakfast and Resource Fair set for Nov. 11

The 17th Annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and Resource Fair will be held in person Thursday, Nov. 11 at 8 a.m. in Savage Hall at the University of Toledo. All participants will be required to wear masks.
Last year, the event was held as a drive-thru due to the pandemic.
The free breakfast and resource fair, which will feature more than 34 military-focused community resources, is open to all local veterans, active members of the military and their families. Historical Jeeps will also be on display. Through the collaborative efforts of the American Red Cross, the University of Toledo and the Lucas County Veterans Service Commission, the event gives the community an opportunity to honor area veterans and active service members for the sacrifices they have made for our country.
Members of the Rossford High School S.O.S. (Serving Our Soldiers) club will be greeting participants and assisting veterans through the breakfast line. Musical entertainment will be provided by the fourth-grade students from Waterville Primary School and local pianist, Gabriel Hagedorn.
“This event is all about honoring our local heroes. We are grateful for the involvement of students from the area schools to help us in this effort,” said Peggy Holewinski, regional gift officer of the American Red Cross, Northwest Ohio Chapter.
“Freedom is not free,” said Charles Hiser, executive director of the Lucas County Veterans Service Commission. “It requires service and sacrifice. This event is all about celebrating the brave men and woman who answered that call.”
Local television personality Dan Cummins will serve as emcee. Honored speaker will be Major Brian T. Hubert, of the U.S. Marine Corps. During his career, Maj. Hubert has served in various positions throughout the United States and overseas. His deployments included support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Sana’a Yeman, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He is currently serving as the commanding officer of the USMC Recruiting Station in Cleveland.

Veterans Day
chicken dinner
A Veterans Day Chicken Dinner will be held Saturday, Nov. 13 from 4 p.m. until gone at Walbridge VFW Post 9963, 109 N. Main St.

Holiday meal gift
cards for veterans
The Ottawa County Veterans Service office is offering a free holiday meal gift card to veterans, in gratitude for their service to our country.
Veterans may sign up for the gift card, good for a turkey or ham for the holiday season, by completing the Google Form on the Ottawa County Veterans Service’s Facebook page.
Gift cards, valued at $25, will be available beginning Monday, Nov. 8.
For more information, call 419-898-2089 or visit coottawa.oh/us/veterans.

Big Band dance
honoring veterans
A Big Band Dance in honor of area veterans will be held Sunday, Nov. 14 in the Port Clinton High School Cafeteria, 821 S. Jefferson.
The dance will feature the 16-piece Big Band, “Night Session,” Admission is $10 advance sale or reservation and $12 at the door.
Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Dress is nice casual. Veterans may wear their military apparel (uniforms, t-shirts, caps, jackets or other items indicating their branch of service and/or era).
Tickets are available at Mary’s Blossom Shoppe, 125 Madison St., Port Clinton or may be reserved by calling Juanita at 419-341-1080.
The event, which is open to the public, will feature a special tribute to veterans, including a Parade of Colors and a Missing Man Table.

Thanksgiving dinner
To honor veterans, active military and their families, Walbridge VFW Post 9963 will present a free Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. at the post hall, 109 N. Main St.
The menu will include turkey and ham, along with all the fixings, and a variety of deserts. Pop, lemonade, iced tea, coffee and water will be provided. A full cash bar will be available.
Dine in or carry out, however, those taking food out will need to come in to order.
Reservations are required. Make reservations by calling Lisa Schmidlin at 419-697-6959 or Gloria Lewicz at 419-508-2404. Post members may sign up at the canteen. Early reservations are encouraged.
Donations are welcome and appreciated. Proceeds from donations will go to the post’s Veteran’s Fund.

Dinner includes chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, roll and butter and pumpkin pie. Veterans eat free; the cost for all others is $10.