Bob Evans host Larry Hunt of Youngstown holds the American flag that sits in the corner of the Boardman restaurant. Hunt, the host, recites the Pledge of Allegiance for his customer every day he comes to work.

BOARDMAN — Larry Hunt loves his country and proves it every work day.

Each morning, Hunt reports for duty at the stand in the front of the Bob Evans restaurant near the Southern Park Mall showing guests to their breakfast tables.

“Between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., when the time and crowd is right, I go over to the public address system and recite the Pledge of Allegiance,” Hunt said.

The one-time assembler and supervisor at the former General Motors plant in Lordstown said he doesn’t do it to show off, but said the responses from customers have been inspiring.

“It means a great deal to some as they get on their feet, with some shedding tears,” Hunt said.

Hunt, who got the host job in 2006 shortly after a 40-year career at the assembly plant, said he started this daily tradition back in September 2011. Earlier, a former restaurant employee, Sally Canavan of Boardman, had originated the idea in honor of her father, who had served in World War II, all veterans and all who have served. She and the restaurant were recognized in 2014 by the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission for the twice-daily pledge of allegiance.

“We wanted to do something to honor the (10th anniversary) of the 9/11 attacks, and what better way than to honor our flag?” Hunt said as he motioned to a large flag hanging in the corner of the chain restaurant.

Linda Skrinyer said she and her husband Steve of Boardman have been going to breakfast for years and have been impressed with Hunt and his actions.

“He is a nice kind human being,” said Skrinyer. “Through the years we have gone there, and he deserves to be recognized. There are good people who love their country everywhere. I think he does it to honor veterans.”

Hunt said he got approval from both local Bob Evans management and from corporate headquarters in southern Ohio to do the daily pledge.

The Youngstown resident, who takes care of an elderly mother, said he is not a veteran although he was drafted in 1967 at the height of the Vietnam War.

“I got a deferment because my wife was pregnant at the time,” Hunt said. “I said that was OK.”

gvogrin@tribtoday.com