Professional poker players from across the nation joined injured troops and their families yesterday as part of a day-long celebration, which included a poker tournament. Organized by the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro) and the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, the event, held at The Mologne House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, attracted over 100 participants.
“Members of the PPA are happy to do anything we can to express the poker community’s support and appreciation for our troops and their families who have made so many sacrifices to protect our individual rights and freedoms, said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA. “We were honored to be with these brave men and women and get to know them better.”
The event was designed to treat our nation’s heroes to a fun afternoon of fellowship and poker. A number of professional poker players were on hand to visit with the soldiers and their families as well as play in the tournament. They included:
Howard Lederer
“Joining the USO and visiting our troops, who have sacrificed so much, was one of the most emotional and rewarding experiences of my life.” – Howard Lederer
Andy Bloch
“Spending time with these soldiers, with their spirit and joy, shows what is really important in life.” – Andy Bloch
Victor Ramdin
“It was a great honor to share a wonderful experience with these true heroes who risked their lives to make our lives better.” – Victor Ramdin
Phil Gordon
“I was completely overwhelmed by the soldiers and their passion for poker, their passion for their country and their passion for life.” – Phil Gordon
Gavin Griffin
“It was an honor to be involved with the USO and to boost the morale of soldiers, who were so grateful to see us, when in reality we were the ones who were truly grateful for the time we got to spend with them.” – Gavin Griffin
Rhett Butler (Player in the final table of the 2006 WSOP Main Event)
Leeann Tweeden (host of NBC’s Poker After Dark)
Dennis Phillips (chip leader going into final table for the 2008 World Series of Poker)
“I have never been so proud or so humbled before in my life. You just want to stand up and shout to the world about what an honor it is to be allowed to play cards with these heroes who sacrificed so much to protect our liberties.” – Dennis Phillips
“We’re thrilled that these top poker pros would come out and spend a day with our soldiers and their families,” said Elaine Rogers, president of the USO-Metro. “Poker is a very popular activity among the soldiers spending time at Walter Reed recovering from their injuries, and this was a great opportunity for them to mingle with and learn from the best poker players in the country.”
Each of the poker players in attendance were clearly moved by the bravery and dedication of the soldiers and their families:
About The Poker Players Alliance
The Poker Players Alliance is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of over 1,000,000 online and offline poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game and to protect poker players’ rights.
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