Secretaries Of State Honored By Foundation For VA Work

PALO ALTO, CA -- Anyone seeking a dose of patriotism could have cut it with a knife at the Four Seasons in Palo Alto Monday night. The PenFed Foundation honored in its dinner former U.S. Secretaries of State George Shultz and Condoleezza Rice as well as Veterans Administration leader Lisa Freeman for their work with building the Defenders Lodge.

The evening was launched with a hair-raising audio of "America the Beautiful," as Shultz, 98, sat stoically near the podium to pledge his dedication to the honoring of the home developed through his efforts with Rice and the nonprofit PenFed Foundation.

"The words say everything -- Defenders Lodge," said Shultz, a longtime federal public servant who served under President Ronald Reagan. As secretary, he played a key role in thwarting a foreign policy that led to the successful conclusion of the Cold War.

The baby-blue bow tie clad Shultz has the unique distinction of owning careers in government, academia and business. The public dignitary provided a very personal account of why a veteran needs space to feel comfortable with family members present.

"Have you tried to get a room in Palo Alto?" he quipped. "The Defenders Lodge provides free lodging. It makes a gigantic difference."

For when veterans need care, he called the hospital a "very lonely place."

He characterized the Defenders Lodge as "a brilliant idea turned into a reality that works."

Shultz went to work with Rice to secure over $10 million in funding to build the sprawling center. Rice made a video PenFed shared with the group.

Palo Alto Mayor Liz Kniss told the gathering of about 50 people she is proud of the accomplishment in her city.

"It is a terrific public-private entrepreneur partnership," she said.

Kniss pointed out how unlike other sterile-feeling medical facilities the Lee & Penny Anderson Defenders Lodge has a "warm" yet "extremely efficient" feel that makes the home functional.

Many in the audience toured the facility located off Miranda Avenue in Palo Alto.

--Images via Sue Wood, Patch, PenFed Foundation