The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
75 YEARS OF SERVICE
Euclid Veterans Association puts veterans and community first
The relatively small, hardworking group continues to financially assist veterans and the community with an annual budget ranging from $17,000 to $22,000
Seventy-five years ago a small group of disabled veterans from Euclid established an independent organization to benefit others who served in the armed forces as well as the community.
Although its numbers have diminished, the original mission carries on for the Euclid Veterans Association. Nowadays an active band of 60 members meets regularly to plan fundraisers, coordinate volunteer activities and socialize.
It was in 1945 at the end of WWII when the group’s founders
first gathered to “organize a social and goodwill club,” according to original handwritten notes from the meeting.
Initially, the intention was to limit membership to disabled vets.
Tony Sustarsic, one of the founding members and a former Euclid mayor, endured multiple war wounds and lost a leg during the war. Other co-founders also suffered disabling injuries.
However, it was ultimately decided to open the door to all veterans, and by 1951 membership numbers swelled to more than 480.
Some members witnessed or took part in historic moments such as the Battle of the Bulge, the Bataan Death March and the signing of Japan's surrender aboard the Battleship Missouri.
Among earliest efforts supported by the association was medical assistance for “blue babies,” a name given to infants suffering from congenital heart disease where the blood is unable to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Over the years other financial beneficiaries have included local sports organizations, Euclid High School's Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training, Mary Mavec Opportunity School, Euclid's Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, Euclid Hunger Center and others.
Members also played a large part in the community through their work and participation in annual festivals and parades.
Nowadays, the relatively small, hard-working group continues to financially assist veterans and the community with an annual budget ranging from $17,000 to $22,000 collected from fundraisers and donations.
An annual dinner set to take place on Sept. 27 at Tizzano's Party Center in Euclid is one of the organization's largest fundraisers. Proceeds will support the Gary Sinise Foundation, a national charity and veterans' service organization.
“We're still going strong. With 60 members we're still as involved as we were when we had 300 or 400,” said longtime member and past president Jeff Morris.
In addition to financial efforts, members take time to personally lend helping hands. Assembling care packages for military personnel overseas and supplying holiday dinners for the less fortunate are examples of their generous deeds.
Cheryl Ludwa is the group's current president and a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 33 years, achieving the rank of colonel.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic she and other members coordinated bingo games and other activities at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland.
Long-serving member and past president Al Belevice dedicates time giving presentations focusing on the American flag to various area schools.
Urban Scolaro who was president from 2010 through 2012 maintains that service to others is the reason he joined several years ago.
“I basically came in because we help veterans and we also help the city,” Scolaro said. “That's what I really love about the organization, it really helps a lot of people.”
Strongly intertwined with valuable service for others are elements of fellowship and camaraderie. Bus trips, parties and other get-togethers provide opportunities for fun and socialization.
Many members have established friendships lasting for decades.
“It's one step further than belonging, it's the personal relationships,” Morris said.
During a recent meeting, member John Prizzi noted that the group is realistic when considering its future and some related discussion is taking place.
“We have to look forward as our numbers shrink. We want to be prepared,” he said.
In the meantime members are busy planning their upcoming events and working on special projects such as helping staffers at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid with a parking lot project.
“It makes us feel good that we're doing something constructive not only for the vets but also for the city of Euclid,” Scolaro said.