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Battle for Fran O'Brien's
MUDVILLE GAZETTE ^ | April 12, 2006 | BUZZ PATTERSON

Posted on 04/12/2006 5:41:50 PM PDT by radar101

Hello all,

This past Friday night I was privileged to visit Fran O'Brien's steakhouse in the Capitol Hilton, Washington, DC. Every Friday night, Hal Koster, the restaurant manager and Vietnam Vet, invites our wounded soldiers convalescing at nearby Walter Reed Army Center to a free steak dinner and drinks. It was supposedly a "slow" night for our heroes as many were on a ski trip in Colorado. But I walked into an absolutely packed room of wounded soldiers and their families enjoying a minor but well-deserved recognition for their service to our country.

I've also discovered since then that the Hilton Corporation will not be renewing the lease. Apparently, there are too many "liability issues" in accommodating American heroes in wheelchairs. In fact , the lease (and therefore the dinners) will expire in a few short weeks. If America had responded as we would in the past, this would be inconsequential really. Obviously we have not and it is a tragic commentary on today's PC-ness.

Please read the attached e-mail with more of the details.

Best, Buzz

Buzz Patterson Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired)


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: Maryland; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: buzzpatterson; capitalhilton; franobriens; hilton; military; steakhouse; supportourtroops; wia; woundedwarriors
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To: trooprally
There might be some news to report on this tomorrow. Stay tuned...

To all: If you call the Hilton to let them know how much these dinners at Fran O'Brien's mean to the wounded troops and their families, remember what our MilBlogger friend Andi says, let's "do it with civility and class."

141 posted on 04/13/2006 3:16:50 PM PDT by tgslTakoma
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To: tgslTakoma; radar101; trooprally

Local DC Channel 4 (NBC) news just had a rather lengthy story about this, complete with an interview with a wounded serviceman having dinner at Fran's with his family. The story said the lease is up 1 May. Supposedly options are being discussed, and other entities have offered to step in to continue the service, including the Italian Embassy.


142 posted on 04/13/2006 8:19:32 PM PDT by StayAt HomeMother
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To: radar101

I posted a great article by Kathleen Parker recently (link below). I just heard this on the local DC news - they have to close by May 1 - a business decision. had wounded troops on camera speaking about what the place means to them. I emailed her about it.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1596975/posts?page=68


143 posted on 04/13/2006 8:30:37 PM PDT by RDTF
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To: gondramB

? It's all over the local news


144 posted on 04/13/2006 8:33:41 PM PDT by RDTF
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To: RDTF

"? It's all over the local news"

Is it now? What a difference 24 hours makes.


145 posted on 04/13/2006 8:38:18 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: gondramB

Here it is - tgs1tacoma just posted it on the other link

http://wusatv9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=48429


146 posted on 04/13/2006 8:47:13 PM PDT by RDTF
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To: gondramB
Yesterday MilBlogs ran with the story that they knew to be true, because they know Fran O'Brien's owners. And the folks who read those blogs have been calling and writing the Hilton management since yesterday. Now that the local MSM has it (I guess some of them must also read the MilBlogs) - it will be interesting to see how the Hilton handles even more public upset over the situation.
147 posted on 04/13/2006 8:47:18 PM PDT by tgslTakoma
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To: tgslTakoma

I wonder why the mamanger would have told Dixie Sass in post 136 that the story was false - that was also very different than what he told me.


148 posted on 04/13/2006 8:52:31 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: synbad600

It's good that there are some people out there who are willing to make waves to see that things are done to help others, isn't it? Kind of reminds me of the definition of grassroots - those on a local level who create awareness of wrong doing and try to make the necessary changes.


149 posted on 04/13/2006 9:02:37 PM PDT by dixie sass
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To: gondramB

Sounds similar. But I was assured they weren't closing.


150 posted on 04/13/2006 9:04:21 PM PDT by dixie sass
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To: gondramB

Who knows? Maybe because they didn't know who they were talking to. In any event, the news is out, and verified. Hopefully the Hilton will continue to feel the heat of their decision as more concerned troop-supporting Americans make (polite) phone calls.


151 posted on 04/13/2006 9:06:43 PM PDT by tgslTakoma
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To: tgslTakoma

"In any event, the news is out, and verified. Hopefully the Hilton will continue to feel the heat of their decision as more concerned troop-supporting Americans make (polite) phone calls."

Agreed. I sent my letter today.


152 posted on 04/13/2006 9:29:29 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: PGalt; JohnHuang2; Cap Huff

Ping


153 posted on 04/14/2006 4:39:19 AM PDT by Coop (Proud founding member of GCA - Gruntled Conservatives of America)
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To: radar101

Bump


154 posted on 04/14/2006 4:57:12 AM PDT by Coop (Proud founding member of GCA - Gruntled Conservatives of America)
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To: radar101

What the....this cannot be true. If that is the case, why the heck do we as a society even allow the challenged to even leave the house? There is a very profitable lawsuit here, I believe, not being a lawyer, if this is true and if you can prove that is the reason the party's lease in not being renewed.


155 posted on 04/14/2006 5:43:39 AM PDT by Chgogal (The US Military fights for Freedom of the Press while the NYT lies about the Military and cowers...)
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To: Chgogal

Disgusted bump


156 posted on 04/14/2006 5:44:36 AM PDT by Coop (Proud founding member of GCA - Gruntled Conservatives of America)
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To: gondramB

Will do! This was a dreadful mistake on Hilton's part. Hopefully they will correct it ASAP.


157 posted on 04/14/2006 5:47:00 AM PDT by Chgogal (The US Military fights for Freedom of the Press while the NYT lies about the Military and cowers...)
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To: Coop

Thanks for the ping. BTTT!


158 posted on 04/14/2006 6:11:16 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: gondramB
Yep but you go and get them there dentists riled up and they can be a hand full

As a former manager of associations, this is a great idea. There should be many members of national associations at FR. Call your association executive or members of your board of directors and let them know that you will never stay at a Hilton-owned hotel when you attend a convention. Convention money is a hotel chains' foundation.

159 posted on 04/14/2006 6:12:30 AM PDT by MSSC6644
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To: PGalt

You're welcome. I just posted an updated article in breaking.


160 posted on 04/14/2006 6:14:58 AM PDT by Coop (Proud founding member of GCA - Gruntled Conservatives of America)
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