Several restaurants in the U.S. set out Friday and beyond to honor the memories of American soldiers lost in an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, near Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Citizens of Ohio were hit close to home when news that Erie County local, Maxton “Max” Soviak, was among service members killed in action after the Islamic State attack Thursday, sparking a wave of tributes in Ohio and around the country.
“When I read that one of Ohio’s own died, I knew I wanted to make a small gesture to honor Max and the 12 other soldiers,” general manager of the café, Shannon Vasquez, told USA Today. Vazquez reserved a table and placed 13 beers on it to pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives. (RELATED: Texas Marine Identified Among Dead In Kabul Terror Attack)
Another restaurant from the Cleveland area, Niko’s Bar and Gyros in North Royalton, Ohio, did the same; 13 beers for 13 Americans not coming home to their families.
“This table will be reserved today for the 13 Americans that lost their lives,” the bar posted on its Facebook page. The tribute wasn’t the only gesture made by the owner, Niko Moulagianis, who also announced that from Friday to Sept. 11, $1 from every beer sold in the establishment will be donated to the families of those who died in Kabul.
“If they were to walk in here, all of them, and they sat at a table and told me they just got back from Afghanistan, I would’ve bought them a round of drinks,” owner Moulagianis told 3News.
Many people in Ohio felt particularly disheartened having someone so close to home being taken from them at only 22 years old. New York, Delaware and Wisconsin were among many other states which had businesses paying their respects Friday to honor those who have given their lives in service of their country.
President Joe Biden is maintaining the Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw despite fears that more ISIS attacks could be on the way.