Staff file photo Ken Jakubec participates in a Veterans Day breakfast at Austintown Fitch High School every year. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1964 at the age of 17 while still attending Fitch.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To suggest a veteran for this series, which runs weekly through Veterans Day, email Metro Editor Marly Reichert at mreichert@tribtoday.com.

JACKSON — “Semper Fi” is certainly not just some popular catchphrase or tough-sounding motto to Ken Jakubec, who served in the Marine Corps Air Wing from 1964 to 1968.

Translated literally, “Semper Fi” means “Always Faithful.” However, to Jakubec, it means even more.

It is a serious declaration relaying a lifelong dedication and deep, lasting commitment to protecting America and its allies.

“We take the oath seriously,” he said.

And that commitment lasts from their initiation at boot camp (Jakubec’s lasted three weeks) to the day they retire and beyond.

Jakubec, 75, said becoming a Marine by enlisting in 1964 truly enriched his existence.

According to him, “The Marines taught me the most important life lessons, especially how to give back.”

A native of Austintown and 1964 Austintown Fitch graduate, it was a jaunt to the nation’s capital for training way back then that ultimately changed his life forever.

“That’s where I met Lena,” he said about his wife, who died last year from a heart attack.

His work as a cryptographer during the Vietnam era when he wasn’t fixing the hydraulics of planes and helicopters kept him busy. Jakubec was among an elite group of skilled aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs).

They are the ones responsible for performing repairs, and preventative and routine maintenance on all types of aircraft and helicopters. They receive special training to do so, based on the thorough testing process all Marines must go through to be selected for certain types of duty.

In fact, Jakubec showed such promise and talent, he was selected as part of the revered and elite crew members of the Marine One Helicopter Squadron under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

And while he was clearly sharp as a tack, ready for the challenge, and patriotic as ever, he was lacking in another area.

“I had to gain weight for them to let me in!” he said now of his youthfully slight build.

It took a while, but over time he was able to add some lean Marine muscle — roughly 30 pounds of it.

He eventually rose to the rank of E-5 Sergeant.

A longtime community volunteer, Jakubec has a special fondness for helping both the March of Dimes and Toys for Tots organizations.

In 2020, Jakubec was named Official of the Year by the National Federation of Athletics. That’s because he’d been an official for the Ohio High School Athletic Association for 31 years and has served as referee or clerk at the district level for 28 years. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association in 1993, as well as the Fred Dafler Sportsmanship Award in 1996 and the Austintown coaches appreciation award in both 1982 and 1987.

Jakubec served on the Austintown Board of Education for a total of 20 years (two separate terms) and worked at Lordstown General Motors for 36 years. He is a Jackson Township trustee.

Ken Jakubec

AGE: 75

RESIDENCE: Jackson Township

SERVICE BRANCH: Marine Corps

MILITARY HONORS: Presidential Service Award; inducted into Ohio Military Hall of Fame in 2020; Marine Corps League Meritorious Service Award in 2015; Veteran of the Year by the United Veterans Council of Youngstown in 2016.

OCCUPATION: Retired from Lordstown General Motors after 36 years

FAMILY: wife of nearly 53 years, Lena (deceased); son, Ken; daughter, Kimberly Lewis; and two grandaughters