Published: November 04, 2009 11:10 pm      

Businesses honoring veterans

Stores and restaurants offer discounts for Military Appreciation Days.

Howard County has more veterans per capita than any other county in Indiana, and 38 local businesses are teaming up next week to honor those who have served in the military.

Kokomo Military Appreciation Days will take place from Monday through Nov. 16 with the businesses offering various discounts for veterans.

A ceremony honoring area veterans will take place at 10 a.m. Monday on Union Street in front of the Kokomo City Hall, with 10 different veteran organizations represented.

Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight will issue a proclamation declaring the week as “Military Appreciation Days.”

“The men and women of the United States Military have given us a gift, choosing freely to protect our citizens and the freedoms we enjoy,” Goodnight wrote in a letter seeking support for the event from business leaders. “It is a gift that can never be reciprocated in full but your gift to them, big or small, will let them know that the citizens of Kokomo and Howard County are grateful for their service and the sacrifices they have made.”

Seven percent of the 80,000 residents of Howard County have served in the military, according to Bob Ladd, county veterans service officer. Ladd said Indiana ranks fourth in the nation for active duty National Guard and Reserve members.

“Kokomo is the only city in the state conducting military appreciation days,” Ladd said.

The idea was spawned by Rick Riddle, manager of the Golden Corral restaurant, which has provided free meals for veterans for the past eight years.

In terms of the cost to provide the free meals, Ladd said the Kokomo Golden Corral is ranked fifth in the nation for funds raised to assist veterans.

Golden Corral is providing a free meal to veterans on Nov. 16.

Local resident Gary Loveless said the Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery also began a veterans recognition last year.

He said Riddle wanted to expand the appreciation to include more businesses in Kokomo.

“What I believe is the military should be front and center every day,” Riddle said. “The country does a good job of honoring veterans two or three days a year, but we should be thankful every day.”

Riddle said his two grandfathers and two uncles are veterans.

He said Golden Corral provided 800 meals in the first year of the program and last year the number had increased to 1,600.

“It has taken on a life of its own,” Riddle said. “There’s a great atmosphere, it’s an exciting night for everyone.”

Riddle said, after the Half Moon joined in the program in 2008, he thought it would be great to make it bigger.

“I would like to continue this,” he said. “There are a lot of veterans in Kokomo who are the bread and butter of the community.”

No business that was contacted declined to take part, Riddle said.

“We’re on the threshold of something big,” Riddle said. “I think this is a good start. I’ve been contacted by businesses that want to participate next year.”

The mission for the weeklong recognition is to create a city-wide campaign to express appreciation to veterans and active military residing in Kokomo and Howard County.

The week will feature special discounts from 38 different businesses, including restaurants, flower shops, photography studios, farm equipment and home furnishing stores, Riddle said.

Riddle has set up a Web site, www.milappdays.americasfirstcar.com, detailing all the discounts and Military Appreciation Days events.

• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com