Stars & Stripes Story: Italian Ambassador Feeds Wounded US Troops

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All too often all we get are the bad stories about this war on terror from our Mainstream Media. Not only that but we only hear about our allies when they are quitting their support for US led efforts to combat terror in the world and never when they are in support or do something to help the effort. So, I suppose it isn't beyond belief that we never heard this heartwarming story anywhere in the US Media.

For the last two years, Fran O'Brien's Steak house in Washington D.C. has treated our wounded servicemen from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to a steak dinner on Friday nights. But they recently lost their lease at the Hilton Hotel in D.C. leaving the Friday night dinners in doubt.

Enter the Italian Ambassador and his staff who, on May, 21st, conjured up a full Italian dinner for 27 of our wounded heroes. When Ambassador Gianni Castellaneta, and his wife, Lila, found out that O'Brien's had lost their lease, they decided to step in to substitute lasagna for steak. (See Stars and Stripes article Click here)

The Italian Embassy's executive chef, Roberto Grazioli, worked his magic with all hand made dishes with excellent results. Fine Italian wines were served and sumptuous deserts were well received by the soldiers.

According to Stars and Stripes, the dinner was well received and a good time was had by all.

But, have we heard of this story from the MSM? No. We are greeted with silence to this good deed, this small kindness to our troops.

This is the kind of story that we need to hear all across this land. Further, we should all thank the kind hearted Italian Ambassador for his efforts to comfort our troops. Italy has been a staunch ally in the war on terror and we must not forget our allies. The bombings in Spain and London as well as the unrest in France reminds us that we are all in constant expectation of terrorist strikes. We are all in this together.

So, take some time to write an email to the Italian Embassy to thank them for their efforts on behalf of our wounded soldiers.

Email the Cultural Affairs office at: culturale.washington@esteri.it

For a photo Gallery of the event Click here

By- Warner Todd Huston