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Local Voices

MONZA MENU ITEM HONORS LOCAL WAR VETERAN; DONATES to USMC WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT

Monza and Carmello’s of Old Town Manassas, Va. became almost a second home to retired Col. Jack Lilley II, a long-time Catharpin resident, retired United States Marine Corp (USMC) and a war veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. After being a regular customer at Carmellos since 1978, the ‘Jack Special’ was born on Monza’s menu, with $1 of every order going to Lilley’s favorite charities:  the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment and The Freedom Museum. From June through August, Monza’s donated $1018, collected from the ‘Jack Special’. For more information, call 703-368-5522 or go to www.eatmonza.com.

 

The ‘Jack Special’ began when Jack Lilly visited Carmello’s and requested angel hair pasta with crab, shrimp and scallops, served with a white wine and cream sauce---an item not on their menu. Carmello’s obliged his request, and the dish began to be popular with other customers as well. The dish became a regular item on Monza’s menu.

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Col. Jack Lilley, USMC, Ret. resides in Catharpin, Va. He fought in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, and was wounded in the Korean War. He is passionate about the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment and is the secretary of the Freedom Museum in Manassas, Va. He is dedicated to honoring veterans and civilians who have served their country in time of war. For more information, go to www.youtube.com/Jacklilley.

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“Jack Lilley is more than just a regular customer, he became part of the Carmello’s and Monza family and we are honored to name a menu item after him and give back to his most cherished military organizations,” said Miguel Pires, general manager of Carmello’s and Monza of Old Town Manassas, Va. “We appreciate his sacrifice and dedication to the armed forces, as well as other veterans,” said Pires.

 Carmello’s offers more than 100 Portuguese wines from Portuguese regions, such as Alentejo, Douro, Doa, Estremadura and Vinho Verde, and presents one of the largest Portuguese wine lists in the United States.

ABOUT CARMELLO’S and MONZA:
Carmello's of Old Town Manassas, Va. was established in 1987 and is owned by Portuguese immigrant, Alice Pires of Manassas, Va.  The family-owned restaurant offers fine dining, serving contemporary American cuisine with Portuguese and Mediterranean influence. In 2011, their sister restaurant, Monza, was created, providing bistro fare. Carmello's earned the Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator magazine for four consecutive years, and has been voted best fining dining restaurant by Prince William Today for 2013. Their seasonal menus are complemented by their fresh produce from the restaurant’s garden. Led by general manager, Miguel Pires, Carmello’s and Monza are active volunteers in its community, uniting with local charities to help those in need and to build community spirit. For more information, go to www.carmellos.com,  www.eatmonza.com, visit us on Facebook, Twitter or call 703-368-5522.

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