Businesses throughout Valley show respect for veterans with deals

khall@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Pride shines off of Ken Jakubec as he talks about his time in the Marine Corps.

When Austintown native Jakubec signed up the Marines, like many others, he didn’t realize what he was getting into — but he went anyway.

He could have been sent to Vietnam, but instead he was placed in Washington, D.C., to work on the helicopters that helped our troops.

“Now, there is so much respect for veterans,” he said.

That respect is found here in the Mahoning Valley and the nation. Businesses, large and small, are giving veterans and active-duty military members a token of appreciation for going into the danger zone.

“How can you not do too much for veterans?” said Sam Covelli, owner of Warren-based Covelli Enterprises ­­— the largest Panera Bread franchisee with more than 250 locations.

Sam’s late father, Albert Covelli Sr., was in the Army in World War II.

“He was always big on what he could do for veterans and so am I,” Sam Covelli said.

On Tuesday, the Covelli-operated Paneras will honor veterans and military service members with a free You-Pick-Two ­— a combination of soup, sandwiches, pasta, a flatbread or salad — at any Mahoning Valley Panera Bread. Wear a uniform, present a military I.D. or discharge papers. The Covelli operated O’Charley’s restaurants will also offer a free $9.99 entree.

“I commend all of the other restaurants that do it,” Jakubec said. “It is just nice to give the veterans back something.”

Read the full story and a list of dozens of Valley businesses offering deals to veterans Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.