Michigan restaurant offers free food to Coast Guard during govt shutdown

ST. IGNACE, Mich. (AP) - An Upper Peninsula restaurant is offering free breakfast to members of the U.S. Coast Guard during the government shutdown.

The owner of Java Joe's in St. Ignace says he wants to help Coast Guard members who aren't getting paid during the shutdown. The Coast Guard has a station in St. Ignace, near the Mackinac Bridge.

Joe Durm tells TV station WPBN that Congress isn't thinking about people who have car payments, mortgages and kids with braces. He says, "This is what irritates me to no end."

The owner is getting many compliments on social media. A writer on Facebook asked if Durm can send food to St. Louis. Some Coast Guard members are pledging to visit Java Joe's if they get stationed in northern Michigan.