Patriot Day ceremony salutes veterans

AUSTINTOWN -- The community gathered Thursday evening at Quaker Steak & Lube for Patriot Day, an annual celebration honoring military veterans and marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Eleven men and women who served their country were recognized with plaques and honored for their military service during a ceremony that drew veterans, family members and community supporters from across the Mahoning Valley.

For Ken Jakubec, organizer of the event, Patriot Day is about ensuring that veterans' stories are remembered.

"When you come here and listen to their bios, you're hearing living history," Jakubec said.

Now in its 19th year, the event has become a tradition at the Austintown restaurant. Only one year was missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We opened in 2006, and the two owners were Vietnam veterans who had held the event for years in Sharon," Jakubec said. "They asked me to start one at our Austintown store."

Jakubec said restaurant founders Gary "Moe" Meszaros and George "Jiggs" Warren, both Vietnam veterans, envisioned Patriot Day as a way to preserve veterans' stories.

"Patriot Day is about telling the stories of our veterans," he said. "It's like a living history lesson.:

A Marine Corps veteran himself, Jakubec followed his father into military service.

"I was a sergeant in the Marine Corps Air Wing from 1964 to 1968 and was stationed with HMX-1 in Quantico, Virginia, which flies the president of the United States on Marine One," he said. "I was a hydraulics and quality assurance technician on five different helicopters, including Marine One. This is a labor of love to honor these men and women who served this country. When you see a veteran wearing a hat or shirt, did you ever wonder what they did? Our event lets you hear the stories of each veteran."

Quaker Steak & Lube sponsored the event and provided dinner for the honorees. The restaurant has long been known for supporting veterans and military causes.

The ceremony began with a dramatic entrance as skydiving instructor Jim Drummond, who also works for the Youngstown Fire Department, parachuted from an airplane while the crowd looked skyward and cheered.

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 2 presented the colors. The Fitch Concert Choir performed the national anthem, "We Honor You" and "God Bless America." Pastor Derrick Anderson gave the invocation. Corbin Baker of the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission served as master of ceremonies.

Following the reading of biographies for the 11 honorees, DAV Chapter 2 conducted a 21-gun salute, followed by the playing of taps by Luke Whorton.

This year's honorees were:

* George Caban, U.S. Army specialist who served in the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

* Albert Cook, U.S. Army sergeant who served in Germany during World War II.

* Thomas Davis, U.S. Navy seaman and Vietnam veteran.

* Stephen T. Fedyski, U.S. Marine Corps sergeant major who served during the Korean era and completed two tours in Vietnam. Fedyski, now deceased, received the Bronze Star with "V" device and Navy Commendation Medal with "V."

* David F. Kountz, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and 11 Air Medals, who served in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.

* Josephine Laakso, 102, a World War II "Rosie the Riveter."

* Charles I. Lutz, U.S. Army sergeant, Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star with "V" and Purple Heart.

* Eileen McKinnon, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class, Vietnam era.

* Jerre Patterson, U.S. Marine Corps corporal and Vietnam veteran, recipient of two Navy Commendation Medals with "V."

* Michael J. Sudzina, U.S. Marine Corps corporal and Vietnam veteran who earned five campaign stars.

* Larry W. Truitt, U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class, recipient of two Purple Hearts and the Air Medal.

Among those attending was Austintown resident Doc Novotny, a Vietnam-era Marine who was honored at Patriot Day 15 years ago.

Novotny recalled that many Vietnam veterans did not receive recognition when they returned home from service. He now attends every year and appreciates seeing fellow veterans receive the honors they deserve.

Accompanying him was Linda Greenhouse of Warren, whom Novotny affectionately calls his "main lady." Attending Patriot Day for the first time, Greenhouse described the program as moving and said it reminded her of her own father's military service.

Sister Samir Abou-Shakra, executive director of Antonine Village assisted living facility in North Jackson, attended in support of resident Josephine "Peppy" Laakso, the 102-year-old Rosie the Riveter honoree.

"I am thrilled that Peppy is being honored and we are glad to support our veterans," Sister Samir said.

Members of American Legion Riders Post 700 also participated. Barbara Parthemer and Kay Moore sold raffle tickets to benefit the food bank while supporting the event.

The two women, who ride trikes with their husbands, said they enjoy the camaraderie that Patriot Day brings to veterans and community members alike.

Diane Less of Angels for Animals attended with Becky Kountz, whose father, David Kountz, was among those honored. Kountz said she was proud of her father and all he accomplished both during his military career and afterward.

For Jakubec, that pride and recognition are exactly what Patriot Day is meant to inspire.

"These veterans have stories that deserve to be told," he said. "When people hear them, they gain a greater appreciation for the sacrifices that were made for our country."