Posted on 04/21/2006 9:26:37 PM PDT by tgslTakoma
4/20/2006 3:52:00 PM
WASHINGTON, April 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The leader of the world's largest veterans organization expressed deep concern over the soon-to-be evicted restaurant that provides free steak dinners to severely wounded troops receiving care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center every Friday night.
For more than two and a half years, the owners of Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse have been serving up steak dinners and libation to troops severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It's truly a shame these Friday night outings for our wounded heroes will come to an end at Fran O'Brien's," said American Legion National Commander Thomas L. Bock who supports the dinners.
"I can tell you first-hand after talking with the troops that this weekly event is truly therapeutic in their healing and recovery process," Bock said.
The owners along with the legion of combat veterans and other volunteers who make these evenings possible are to be greatly commended," Bock said. "The American Legion takes great pride in recognizing Hal and Marty for their generosity and hospitality toward military personnel injured during service in the war on terror."
Last year, The American Legion presented the restaurant owners with a plaque in appreciation for their efforts on behalf of our nation's wounded heroes. The Legion has helped fund the endeavor and senior staff volunteers assist the wounded troops with veterans benefits and employment needs just to name a few.
The restaurant has also become a Friday night haven for veterans of previous wars, where the newly injured share their stories with fellow comrades from other generations.
"It's a healing process for many, especially my generation who didn't feel as welcomed home upon returning from service during Vietnam," Bock said, "and I will be saddened to have it end with the closing of Fran O'Brien's."
"The owners selflessly demonstrate week in and week out that feeding troops and their family members is far more important than any bottom line," he said.
"It is The American Legion's understanding the Capital Hilton management has made a 'business decision' not to renew a renewable lease," Bock said. "It is my sincere hope that not every 'business decision' is based on the bottom line or perception that the hotel doesn't want severely wounded troops on its premises each week," he added.
According the Koster, negotiations broke down after repeated requests by the owners for the hotel to install a wheel-chair lift or elevator so injured troops would have access to the restaurant which is not handicap accessible.
Bock said there's still time to reach an agreement between the Capital Hilton management team and Fran O'Brien's.
"It's not May 1st yet," Bock said. "We'll lend our support any way we can, even if it means having to help raise money for an elevator."
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Founded in 1919, the 2.7 million-member American Legion is the nation's preeminent service organization for veterans of the U.S. armed forces, including active duty, National Guard and Reserves, and their families. A powerful voice for veterans in Washington, The American Legion drafted the original GI Bill and was instrumental in establishing the agency that today is the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
I encourage all Freepers to do the same.
L
Another Fran O'brien's ping. This time, the American Legion enters the room...
I wonder if they respond to letters written from words cut out of magazines?
Unfortunately, because the source of that FR thread is a blog, it's not posted in FR's regular forum.
BTTT.
Chamber nastygram and ....FIRE
Don't worry about it. Your magazines don't have any words in them any way, and you can't compose a letter using cut-out body parts.
Rumor has it that local drugstores run out of penicillian and QUELL whenever she's in town.
I sent an email to Hilton. Never again will I step foot in one, except to use the bathroom, borrow napkins, drink the free coffee and eat any free handouts, throw my trash away, etc. etc. etc. Use their facilities where ever they are, do not contribute one cent.
What's happened to those traveling lawyers who go town to town suing everyone under ADA for not having adequate handicap access? The one time we need those guys and they are MIA? Sheesh! Actually, it's kind of amazing that at Hilton in any major city doesn't have handicap access...
Ping
And I told them why.
I'm glad to hear it. If they don't turn this around ASAP, they'll be receiving my VIP and credit card back in the mail. It's not as significant a statement as yours, but it's what we can do. And it sounds like many others are doing the same. We'll see if it's enough...
Well, you could call them "boobs!" Over and over.
"Your magazines don't have any words in them any way, and you can't compose a letter using cut-out body parts." Well, you could call them "boobs!" Over and over.
Are they planning to put up a major new building there?
If so, time marches on.
Is there any other business folks in that city that would consider taking up that cause? There might be.
Are they planning to put up a major new building there?
If so, time marches on.
Is there any other business folks in that city that would consider taking up that cause? There might be.
I suppose the cut-and-paste method could also call them "a$$es."
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