Auxiliary Holds Annual 4th of July BBQ at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Auxiliary BBQ Committee, from left to right: Aleksander Johnston, Margherita Guzzi Vincenti, Cat Demaree, Alberto Alverez, Tim Demaree (KM), Lizzy Demaree (DM), Jill Phaneuf, Bill Garate, Matt Haden, Lauren Patton (Not Pictured) 

 

Our annual 4th of July barbeque was held on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Elizabeth Demaree, DM and the Malta Auxiliary were the logistics team and coordinated the event, and managed the 100 volunteers from the Order who so generously gave their afternoon to serve. 

 

The barbeque provides the occasion for Members to show their families to see a little more of the work of the Order, as well as participate in in putting it on. Cooking at the grills, serving the food and drinks to our guests, busing tables, replenishing the food -- there is a place for everyone willing to help. We had been warned by the manager of the Warrior Cafe, Jack Slattery, to expect more than the 650 guests who attended last year. He was right. We served barbecued steak and chicken, a variety of homemade salads baked potatoes and drinks to a record 850 people. 

 

The Johanniter Order, who are the German Protestant branch of the Knights Hospitaller, coordinated the donation of 30 dozen Georgetown Cupcakes as well as a beautiful cake from the Ritz Carlton that served an additional 110. The tables were decorated with summer flowers made possible through a generous donation from Behnkes nursery arranged by Mary Ellen and Tom Gaspard, KM. The Warrior Café provided two large gas grills, ice, coolers and general assistance.  Musicians on Call sent wonderful musicians and vocalists who rotated every half hour. Kathi and Paul Russo, KM and their family coordinated a well-attended children’s craft table with lots of smiling faces.

 

The Johanniter Order generously donated $1,000 to defray expenses, and the balance of $1,550 came from our existing grant from the Order of Malta.  Our cost for this wonderful event was $3.00 per person.

 

Thank God we have fewer newly wounded; however some Wounded Warriors will be in residence or coming to Walter Reed for many years ahead to receive medical treatment or physical therapy. The hospital staff paid the Order of Malta a compliment by reporting that ours is the best and most professional of all of the volunteer events held at the facility.  Our chaplain, Msgr. John Enzler, whose previous obligations downtown to feed the homeless prevented his attendance, sent a fabulous seminarian from the Archdiocese of Washington, Patrick Augustine, to be with us for the afternoon. In addition, we were joined by Geoff Gamble from the SMOM Sovereign Council and his wife Dorcas, Federal Association President Margaret Melady and Executive Director Michael Stankewicz.

 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Demaree, Tim Demaree and all of the fabulous Washington, DC Auxiliary Members for an excellent job organizing and leading the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center barbeque.

 

The Warrior Café filled to capacity during the event

Grill master deluxe Pete Plamondon

One of the two serving lines ready to begin

Walter Sechriest began grilling sirloin steak and chicken at noon