Posted on 03/24/2008 7:25:28 PM PDT by Ooh-Ah
Before Thanksgiving, many JINSA Reports readers took the time to nominate Hal Koster, formerly of Fran O'Brien's, for the "Above and Beyond Award" sponsored by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. (See JINSA Reports #720 and 721) This month, Hal was chosen as the representative of the District of Columbia. The citation from the Society reads, in part:
Hal Koster of Washington, DC for going above and beyond with his unwavering commitment to wounded American soldiers and their loved ones. Koster, a Vietnam veteran, has hosted Friday night dinners for wounded soldiers and their families for the past five years. Koster offers recovering soldiers the opportunity for a night out from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center: a chance to socialize, eat a good meal, and take their first steps towards easing back into society at no cost to the soldiers and their family members. Koster's dinners provide a safe haven for thousands of men and women who are physically and mentally scarred and facing what is potentially the most difficult time of their young lives. Despite many challenges, Koster has found a way to make sure the dinners continue, securing various locations and doing whatever it takes to give these men and women the much-deserved respite they desperately need.
We are thrilled for Hal, and for the recognition provided to an ongoing program that reaches the most vulnerable of our heroes, those who come home with life-altering wounds, amputations and traumatic brain injuries.
The fifth anniversary of America's entry into Iraq has prompted learned commentary from all sides of the spectrum; everyone has an opinion. Sometimes we could use fewer abstract opinions and more help for those who carry out the policies at risk to their lives and their own futures. There is nothing abstract about this war for our solders.
The fact that the surge has resulted in a sharp drop in American and Iraqi casualties is cause for relief and gratitude to those who serve. But there remain those with injuries that will take years to heal, or may never heal.
JINSA has been a strong supporter of the Fran O'Brien's dinners - even after the restaurant lost its lease and the dinners became a moveable proposition. Especially after. And you, our readers, have been enormously generous in your support of this profoundly important gift to the people who put everything on the line for us.
We wrote at Thanksgiving that we were "happy in the knowledge that although mitzvot - good deeds - are their own reward, there is a certain special contentment that comes from acknowledging and promoting the mitzvot of others." In recognition of Hal's dedication to the soldiers, and in appreciation of the sacrifices of the troops and their families, please make a gift to the Fran O'Brien's Soldier Dinner fund. Send your check to JINSA at 1779 Mass. Ave., NW, Suite 515, Washington DC 20036. Write Fran O'Brien's in the memo and as always, every nickel goes to the soldiers.
Bravo to Hal and thank you to our readers for the gifts you have made, or are about to make.
DC Chapter ping
Good news...will be watching the thread for comments.
A worthy cause, indeed!
Many heartfelt thanks, and will contribute!
$300 on the way...
it’s nice to see good things happen to good folks!
Thanks for the ping, BufordP
Hal will know he has some good friends here. THANK YOU!
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
BTT for Hal Koster!
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