Rico's Thanks Veterans With Free Meals

Rick Dubro didn’t serve in the military, but he has a deep appreciation for those who did.

“I love my country,” the owner of Rico’s Café & Pizzeria tells The Ticker. “Without the veterans who fought for us, where would this country be?”

For the 10th year in a row, as a way of saying thanks, Dubro is providing free meals to all veterans and active military personnel at his popular Grawn restaurant on Veteran’s Day, November 11.

“We started this right after 9/11,” recalls Dubro. “President Bush was on TV urging America to do something special for veterans. I looked at [my wife] Lori and said ‘How about complimentary meals?’ and she quickly agreed.”

That first year they provided 240 complimentary buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners to veterans. Every Nov. 11 since, Rick and Lori have offered buffet meals to an ever-growing number of veterans. Last year they served 535 complimentary meals.

“We see familiar faces and some new ones every year,” says Dubro. “Typically, early in the day we see older veterans from World War II and Korea. Later the guys from Vietnam, Iraq and Desert Storm come in. In the evening we get a lot of veterans who come in with their families. It’s pretty well packed from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.”

And while many enjoy their meals, a lot of vets share tales of their military ventures.

“I love to sit and talk with vets,” says Dubro, whose eyes begin to moisten when he talks about the sacrifices made by veterans. “I had one family here that was three generations of veterans. One of them was a POW for five years. I’ve served a lot of meals to veterans over the years, and I have yet to hear any of them say they disliked their service to our country.”

Veterans don’t have to show proof of their service, just come and enjoy a meal. “I plan on doing this as long as we’re in business,” adds Dubro. “As long as there’s a Rico’s we’ll do it.”

Some other Veterans Day events and offers include:

· Fantastic Sam’s, at 1525 South Division in Traverse City, is offering free shampoo and haircuts to veterans on Nov. 11. Just show up between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

· A Veterans Day observance, complete with a rifle squad and prayer, will be held at the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial Park, located near 11th Street and Elmwood Avenue. The ceremony is planned for 6 p.m.

· At 7 p.m. on Nov. 11, a Veterans Day service will be held at the Elks Club in Traverse City.

The Traverse City Senior Center and the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home will honor veterans at the 8th Annual Veterans Dinner Dance on Nov. 12, at the Elks Club. Reservations are required for this event. For information and reservations, contact the Senior Center at 922-4911 or e-mail lwells@tcseniorcenter.com.