Honoring the fallen at Ohio Veterans Home

PERKINS TWP. — Each year, Lisa Bilger and Mike Metzger pay tribute to veterans who risked, and even sacrificed, their lives so other Americans, such as themselves, could experience life with liberties.Both locals, representing the Lake Erie Aktion Club, expressed their gratitude by volunteering on Thursday.The two helped others place one U.S. flag at each gravesite, about 4,300 in total, at the Ohio Veterans Home's cemetery. Since 2012, when the club formed, members have volunteered for this activity twice a year: on the Thursdays immediately preceding Memorial Day in May and Veterans Day in November."It's just good to give back," Metzger said. "As people with disabilities, we feel we should give back to the community and all of the veterans who have served."Added Bilger: "It makes me feel good to give back."Kimberly Lewallen, the home's volunteer services coordinator, appreciated Aktion Club for, once again, coming out to this event. The home started this initiative about 20 years ago. Without organizations, such as the club, it wouldn't have continued on for this long, she said."It's quite an undertaking to put 4,300 flags in the appropriate headstones, but we have a wonderful group of community members here that come out for this," Lewallen said.Members of the community work together to put U.S. flags at each gravesite at the Ohio Veterans Home in Perkins Township on Thursday, May 23, 2019.Taking 'Aktion'The Lake Erie Action Club acts as a service club and a division of the Sandusky Kiwanis Club.Chartered July 5, 2012, the group today has 11 active members, each diagnosed with a developmental disability — but it doesn't prevent them from making Erie County a better place, group adviser Mary Baughman said.The group's motto: "Development has no disability.""They are very dedicated ... to improving the world one child and one community at a time," Baughman said.Other group objectives involve members:• Providing opportunities for working together in service to the community• Developing leadership potential• Fostering development of a strong, moral character• Encouraging loyalty to community and nationFor more information on the club, or to join, contact Baughman at maryfhb@aol.comRepresenting the Lake Erie Aktion Club, Lisa Bilger and Mike Metzger place U.S. flags at the graves of veterans at the Ohio Veterans Home in Perkins Township on Thursday, May 23, 2019.Information on Monday's paradeThe Sandusky Memorial Day Association will celebrate Memorial Day with several festivities on Monday, beginning with a ceremony, scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Ohio Veterans Home in front of the I.F. Mack Building.Immediately following the ceremony, the annual parade will take place, along Milan Road (U.S. 250) from the Ohio Veterans Home to Oakland Cemetery. Traffic can't access this area until the parade ends.Once the parade ends, another ceremony will take place at about 10:30 a.m. in Oakland Cemetery.The public is invited to attend all events.Herman Paul Mettert received the honor of leading this year's parade. Mettert joined the Navy in 1943. He was a Seaman and later was promoted to quartermaster. Married with four children, Mettert became an AMVET member in 1949 and has served in several positions within the organization. He's currently the longest-serving member of AMVETS Post No. 17.U.S. flags wave in the wind as community members place them at each grave at the Ohio Veterans Home in Perkins Township on Thursday, May 23, 2019.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.