There is no commitment from Hilton -- simply short-term damage control.

Please sign the petition at:        http://www.petitiononline.com/mistake/petition.html

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"The Capitol Hilton elected to terminate the lease, but that had absolutely nothing to do with the Friday night dinners," Lisa Cole, regional director of communications for Hilton, told WND. "It was strictly a business decision."

The restaurant's lease, which was extended for six months last year, is set to expire as of May 1.

Cole says the hotel's general manager, Brian Kellaher, has "reached out" to Walter Reed, hoping to work out a way to host the dinner at another location in the hotel.

"We're in discussion with the Walter Reed group … to see if we can't make this work for the future," the spokeswoman said.

Cole would not say specifically why the lease was terminated or what the hotel will do with the space after April.

"We don't have anything that we're definitely going to do with the space," she said.

Steakhouse To Close, Ending Tradition For Wounded War Vets    http://www.wusatv9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=48429

A two-year tradition for wounded war vets is about to go by the wayside. A downtown DC steak house that’s catered to injured troops every Friday night is about to close.

Fran O’Brien’s landlord is forcing out the steakhouse of the same name.

“We're not feeling very good about leaving and especially the Friday night dinner,” O’Brien said.

With the restaurant soon to close, so too will go a hang-out spot that troops have been able to call home while healing, if only for a few hours every week.

In a statement from Hilton hotels, a spokesperson writes: "this is a business decision whereby Hilton Hotels is exploring several options to utilize this space."

But the decision impacts more than just the business that's getting the boot.

A Hilton hotel spokesperson say they are -- on some level -- hoping to keep the Friday night alive without Fran O’Brien’s. But those who vow to wage an up-hill battle have their doubts about this hotel chain's claim.

And if it's not the free Friday night steak dinner for injured veterans ... The same statement from the hotel concludes: "the capital Hilton prides itself on its involvement and service to the community and will continue to support these organizations in the future."

But what has eventually turned into a sponsored event began out of Hal Koter's heart and generosity as a token of his appreciation to the veterans ... after he was not welcomed home after serving his country in Vietnam.

Just as much as finding a new permanent location, Fran O'Brien's is hoping to find a place where the comradery between the troops can continue ... with or without steak.

http://www.wusatv9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=48429