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 is not being renewed.  Eviction will occur May 1 because of that renewal failure.  Why is this important to the milblogosphere?  Because this particular eatery, Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse, hosts wounded veterans each and every Friday night when they venture from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  Andi provides lots of pertinent information including a link to Greyhawk's post at Mudville Gazette which has LOTS of personal stories/articles related to the positive impact of this restaurant and the contact information for the decision makers.

This is where you come in...you can send a polite, but pointed, e-mail to Hilton Management encouraging them to renew the lease.  If you make frequent stays at Hilton, you might want to mention this would dissuade you from doing so as well as encourage you to dissuade others, if you are so incined to do so.  Andi notes that:

Here are the people to call:

*Dan Boyle (212) 838-1558

daniel_a_boyle@hilton.com

Brian Kellaher (202) 393-1000*

Other milbloggers are picking up on the story.  Read up on it as well as look for updates/new milblogging reads at OP FOR, Argghhh!, Wizbang (who is planning a support rally outside the restaurant this afternoon), and Yankee Mom.

This list will be growing exponentially by this afternoon, I'm sure and I'll keep you updated.

But for now...you have your orders.  START E-MAILING.

Update: Here is my e-mail

Mr. Boyle-

I am writing today to encourage you to re-open the dialogue with and renew the lease for Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse. The outstanding community outreach and goodwill generated by the proprietors of this eatery are legendary not only in military circles but those outside the armed forces as well.  I look forward to visiting veterans and this eatery later this month when I attend the military bloggers conference in DC. 

I understand that business decisions sometimes do not take into account the human side of issues related to dollars and cents.  However, it is in the best interest of everyone making those decisions to consider what generates the best kind of publicity and attention.  The ball is rolling on the "attention" part as of this morning and I'm sure Hilton Management will respond.  I encourage you to respond approrpriately which would mean looking at the larger picture.

As a military spouse and a volunteer who engages in copious troop supporting efforts, I would hate to cross Hilton properties off our family's list.  It will be done, however.  I will also raise this issue to our local units and their families, to those who plan our soldiers' travel and lodging arrangements and to pretty much everyone I come into contact with each day.  As a college professor, I meet many people from many places who do a fair share of traveling for business and pleasure.

I look forward to updates from others covering this story on the ground and they will be posted at my own weblog.

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[deb]

Message sent.
Even note that I am a silver VIP member.

[stacy lee]

Happy Easter Melinda. See you in DC in a few days. I will email you with my cell phone number.