WALTON - For Jake Davies, owner of Walton’s Packin Heat restaurant and a Marine Corps veteran, the transition from military service to civilian life has been a journey marked by resilience and commitment to community. Opened in July 2021, Packin Heat, with its playful name and spice-infused menu, reflects Davies’ dual passions: feeding people and celebrating his right to carry — values rooted in both his military background and personal beliefs.
“The Marine Corps gave me a drive to keep moving forward,” Davies said. Davies entered the military in September of 1995, after signing his contract October of his senior year in high school. He knew it was what he wanted to do following high school graduation.
Davies was discharged from the Marine in April 1998 as a lance corporal, after a tour in Japan. While in the Marines he was part of security forces.
“I stood ordinance guard and gate guard,” he said.
That drive has carried him from years in active duty to managing the lively, sometimes chaotic world of restaurant ownership.
“There’s a bit of controlled chaos, just like in the military,” Davies noted with a laugh. “You learn to keep going, adapt on your feet, and not get overwhelmed.”
Packin Heat is more than a restaurant; it’s become a community hub, especially for veterans. Each year, Davies hosts a Marine Corps birthday party. This year the celebration is Nov. 9.
The Marine Corps birthday, celebrated annually on Nov. 10, marks the founding of the United States Marine Corps in 1775. The day is honored by Marines worldwide with a solemn ceremony that includes a message from the commandant, recounting the valor and history of the Corps.
The event includes a traditional cake-cutting ceremony, following the Marines’ time-honored rituals.
“The first slice goes to the oldest Marine, the second to the youngest. We honor the past while bringing Marines together, and it’s open to all veterans,” he explained.
Beyond the restaurant, Davies extends his commitment to service through civic involvement. This year, he joined the Walton Central School Board of Education, adding to a history of community-focused roles including work with Habitat for Humanity and coaching football and wrestling.
“My wife’s a teacher, and our roots here run deep. Giving back is part of who we are,” Davies said.
Packin Heat’s community support continues on Veterans Day, when Davies offers free burgers and fries to veterans.
“It’s just one way to say thank you,” he said. “The military gave me purpose, and now it’s my turn to give back.”
