Andi over at Andi’s World wants you to help Save Fran O’Brien’s. She links a letter from Greyhawk over at Mudville, who writes:
Folks,
Marty and Hal need our help. For over six months they have been asking the Hilton Management for the terms for renewal of their lease. For over 5 months they were told not to worry they would have the renewal lease in a few weeks. About a month ago the Hilton folks stopped responding to their emails and voice messages for a status report and last week Hal and Marty received a one page eviction notice. No explanation was given. We suspect that at least part of the reason is the Friday night dinner Hal and Marty have been hosting for the last two and a half years. It may be that the Hilton folks are concerned about the increased liability of having so many severely injured and disabled soldiers in their basement each Friday (several have taken falls on the steep stairs at the entrance to Fran’s (but no law suits or problems have ensued). It may be that there is very limited and problematic wheelchair access to the restaurant (although no ADA complaints have been filed). The truth is that we don’t know for sure but what we do know is that this is unfair. Unless we can change the minds of the folks at the Hilton Hotel Fran’s will be out of business on May 1st and we will not have any place to hold our Friday night dinner for the injured soldiers and marines of Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals. If you are so inclined I would like to ask you to call and/or email the following two officials at the Hilton and voice your support for Hal and Marty and express your concern for the reasoning behind this seemingly arbitrary decision. Please call them tomorrow or Friday and feel free to share this with anyone else who might be willing to call.
Here are the people to call:
*Dan Boyle (212) 838-1558
daniel_a_boyle@hilton.com
Brian Kellaher (202) 393-1000*
Guys, let’s fix this problem with the usual milblogger precision okay?
**UPDATE** Reader Tom Henderson has already gotten the ball rolling with this email:
Mr. Boyle:
I understand that because of your failure to renew the lease the Hilton Hotel Fran’s will be out of business on May 1st. This means that the weekly Friday night dinner for the injured soldiers and marines of Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals will come to an end.
If that happens, it also means that I will NEVER AGAIN patronize any Hilton. Kiss Hilton HHonors #622531676 good bye.
What could you possibly be thinking? Your decision not to renew the lease is possibly the most pin-headed, foolish, BAD business decision in history. I urge you to reconsider.
Sincerely,
Tom Henderson
Save Fran O'Brien's
Many people associated with the military, especially those who work with the wounded, are aware of what the restaurant Fran O'Brien's has been doing every Friday night since 2003 for the patients at Walter Reed and Bethesda. But their great…
Copy that.
Just sent an email to them! Good luck!
No More Dinners for Wounded Soldiers?
No More Dinners for Wounded Soldiers?
Just sent this to Hilton…
Mr. Boyle,
I just heard about what you are planning to do to Fran O’Brian’s Restaurant in Washington D.C. I urge you to reconsider this move of closing down Fran’s, in that it appears to punish a long time supporter of the wounded troops recovering at Walter Reed. If you do not publicly come out and say why you are considering a non-renewal of the lease, I will recommend to everyone I know, including my battalion (who just spent close to $100k for a weekend banquet) not to frequent your establishments.
Please support our troops in every aspect, not just words…
Hilton Honors #574410691
Give em hell!!
Have a Moment to Send an E-mail?
I know you ALL know how to send an e-mail, so let's get those keys clacking and put our words to good use. Andi, founder of Andi's World and the Milblogging conference, highlighted the plight of a DC-eatery whose lease
I just fired one over the bow myself! Reconsider or kiss the veterans business goodbye! I smell some corporate weenie moonbat lawyer at Hilton HQ making a not-so-subtle anti-military statement.
I also sent an email. I am an Hilton Honors member and my company produces over 80 conferences per year throughout the US. We will no longer use Hilton properties based on their decision to shut down Fran O'Briens.
When you call this number:
Brian Kellaher (202) 393-1000*
Ask for Ex 5758 and it will get you to his Ex. Sec. At this time, they are blowing us off.
Save Fran O'Brien's
UPDATE II: Wizbang has the Hilton side of things (scroll down). UPDATE: Good News!!! Commenter "mdwest" reports (over at Andi's) having spoken to the manager at Fran's this afternoon. They are in the middle of negotiations with Hilton! There is…
Save Fran O'Brien's
UPDATE III: Andi says at 6:00 EDT: "Looks like I may have some news to share with you soon, likely tomorrow. For now, be VERY respectful when you contact the Hilton Corporation. Let them know how much these dinners mean…
Here's mine (sent to every person listed in Buzz's post):
Dear Hilton members,
It is with dismay that I have read of the decision by Hilton to evict Fran O'Brien's, and of the alleged reasons behind Hilton's actions and most of all, the manner in which it has been handled. While I respect the right of Hilton to conduct business as it sees fit, know that I too have to conduct business as I see fit.
I have been various levels of HHonors member for many years previously and currently I've been a member again since 8/2004 and it is with regret that I choose to no longer patronize any of the Hilton family of hotels or companies.
Furthermore, I am also recommending that my friends, family and colleagues do the same, and that any events or activities with which I (or they) am affiliated seek more suitable venues if scheduled at Hilton properties.
I find it reprehensible that the Hilton corporation is treating a business that does so much for the wounded heroes of this country, in this way. It is not only a slap in the face to me as a career military person, but it is an outrage to do that to men and women that have given life and limb in the defense of this country.
Please know that I am extremely disappointed in Hilton, and unless and until there are significant changes in both this situation and those responsible for it, my business will go elsewhere.
I will be forwarding this email as well as the other information that's available about this situation, to everyone in my address book, so that they will be aware of this and that they can take appropriate action as they deem necessary.
Steve XXXXXXXX
zansspkyrw
well, you'll have to go for a leak eventually, won't you? then we'll see what happens.
Secret History featuring yet another media appearance for Bessie and Ted.
As well as the main critical mass ride there
For you? Chloraform and strapping tape. Or a magazine. Go with the one without the federal charges.
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