Sacrifice, service and sub sandwiches

COEUR d'ALENE — Former U.S. Marine Les Kleinman may not be on the front lines anymore, but he still serves his community — with the help of some hot sub sandwiches. 

Before owning four Firehouse Sub locations, including one in Coeur d'Alene, Kleinman was a just kid from New York. 

Growing up in Brooklyn, Kleinman's family didn't have much money. At 20 years old, Kleinman found himself looking for a way out of the "tough" New York lifestyle and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. 

"I always strive to be the best at what I try to accomplish, so joining the Marines was a simple choice to me," said Kleinman, now 52. 

After he enlisted in 1991, the State Department promoted Kleinman to the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group that primarily protects classified U.S. government information. For 10 years, Kleinman traveled to Venezuela, Israel and Kuwait. 

"Being in the Marines, you learn very fast that if you're not determined, you will not succeed," he said. "I have a 'never give up' attitude and will not stop until I can achieve my goals, thanks to the Marines."

Kleinman comes from a long line of military men. His father, a Marine, fought during the Vietnam War. His grandfather served in World War II, and their lineage traces back to a general in the Royal Russian Army.

Kleinman bought his first Firehouse Subs location in December 2019. Only a few months later, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted millions of business owners. But that didn't stop Kleinman, who expanded from his Kalispell, Mont., storefront to Coeur d'Alene, Spokane and Missoula. 

Kleinman said he bought into the sub sandwich franchise for several reasons, one being its Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The foundation provides equipment, funding and education to first responders and public safety organizations across the nation. 

Kleinman said each location contributes to the foundation through customers' donations, pickle bucket purchases and donating a portion of every sale made throughout the year, but the business owner felt the need to do more. 

Individually, Kleinman donates food and funding to Coeur d'Alene, Spokane and Montana benevolent organizations. Veterans, service members and first responders also get 50% discounts at all of his stores. 

"It's that whole idea of taking care of first responders, especially these days when they are not being respected as they should be," Kleinman told The Press during an interview Wednesday. 

Since 2019, he and his Firehouse Subs locations have raised $200,000 for groups in Idaho, Montana and Washington. Nationally, the foundation has granted over $62.5 million to provide equipment, training and support to first responders. 

Wednesday marked the U.S. Marine Corps' 246th birthday, and today is the 83rd anniversary of the first Veterans Day. Kleinman believes now, more than ever, it's critical to support American veterans.

"When you look at a veteran, that is someone who stopped their lives to go protect our country," he said. "This day means something not just for the veterans who are here today, but the ones that passed away in the war. These guys went through hell, and we need to thank them for the sacrifices they made."

Donations collected by Firehouse Subs today will go toward the Foundation's Military Restricted Fund to assist with requests for adaptive tools, programs and services that enhance veterans' quality of life.

"I just hope people who read my story take time out of their day to recognize that someone died for their right to be here and have their freedoms," Kleinman said. "And I hope they find a way to reach out and support them."