November 16, 2005
Rico's Cafe honors veterans
Grawn restaurant offers free Veteran's Day meal to area vets
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
"Thank you for fighting the war, I like my freedom."
Bob Bryant of Traverse City took home a decorated card with this handwritten note by a young boy named Fletcher Friday after dining on the house at Rico's Café in Grawn.
The Marine, who served during the Korean War, enjoyed a buffet lunch gratis thanks to the fifth annual Day of Honor and Appreciation at the restaurant owned by Rick and Lori Dubro. Just under 500 veterans ate either breakfast, lunch or dinner courtesy of the Dubros on Veteran's Day.
A pizza meal surrounded by fellow veterans and new friends was a long way from the 18 months Bryant spent in a body cast after being wounded. A large, powerful man now confined to a wheelchair, patriotism and family example spurred him to lie about his age and enlist at 16.
"They said he'd never walk again and he said, 'Watch me,'ˇ" said his wife, Judy, of her husband's indomitable spirit during his lengthy recovery decades ago.
As the couple prepared to leave after their second Veteran's Day meal at Rico's, Judy added: "This is very, very nice; it's a huge contribution and a really big thank you."
Rick Dubro said a speech by President George W. Bush after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, inspired the tradition. When the president asked people to do something special for Americans who had served in the military, Dubro and his wife said 'Let's do it' and they held their first event in 2001.
After this year, Dubro estimates that during five Veteran's Days they have served more than 2,000 veterans a free meal.
"This is the best day of the year," said Dubro as his 75-seat restaurant hummed busily Friday afternoon. "I'm very patriotic, I love my country. I do this to bring awareness to the vets and their wives and family members."
For the past few years, students at Courtade Elementary School - where the Dubro's children go - have made cards for the veterans. Dubro estimated that he handed out more than 400 handmade notes, many with original drawings.
"They love making them," said Audrey Egbert, parent of a Courtade student and a volunteer dishwasher for the day. "It's good for them, too, because Veteran's Day could pass and they wouldn't have a clue."
Diners share tables during this busy day, quickly making friendships across services, wars and generations. Last year, Dubro recalled that two men seated together at a table discovered that they had gone through boot camp together during the Vietnam War.
"They hadn't seen each other since 1967," he said.
Gulf War veteran Dan Miller served in the army as a specialist from 1987-91. Sharing his first Veteran's Day free lunch with two colleagues, one of whom also served in the Army, Miller recalled much support and appreciation while serving in Iraq 14 years ago. His hometown high school posted picture while he was overseas and he was driven triumphantly around town on a fire truck after his return.
"It was hard for me, having a father who had served in Vietnam because he got the opposite," said Miller, whose family has a history of military service dating back to the Revolutionary War.
While Miller has reservations about Operation Iraqi Freedom, he strongly supports the troops and advocates for injured and returning Iraq veterans.
"I'm actively going after the VA to make sure the Iraq vets are taken care of and actively going after my elected officials to make sure there's care for post traumatic stress," he said.
Deb Paulton of Lake Leelanau had lunch Friday with her mother, stepfather and brother, the family representing three branches of the armed forces.
Paulton served for nine years in the Air Force. Her brother, Jeff Bredehoeft of Arizona, is a Gulf War I veteran who spent eight years in the Air Force and 17 in the Army National Guard. Their stepfather, Norm Stanchfield, was in the Navy during World War II and served as an armed guard on a gun crew with merchant ships plying the Pacific.
"I think it's awesome that they do this," said Paulton of Rico's Café. "You look at all the retailers who have sales on Veteran's Day, it's for them. This is for the veterans."