ALASKA — Chef Pasquale Presa came to Samaritan Lodge Alaska to cook for Operation Heal Our Patriots veterans and their spouses. He also shared some secrets with their cooks about preparing great Italian dishes for our heroes.

Pasquale Presa – Pasquale’s neighborhood Pizzeria:

I have a special bond to the United States. We came to America in 1981, born in Badi, Italy. And you know, we shared a two bedroom apartment in the Bronx where I was the littlest one in the middle. And I’ve always felt the warmth of my family. And my dad wanted a better life for us. I’ve never imagined from Italy that I was able to fly 42 years later to the edge of America to come and cook for our wounded vets and their families. And you know what? God is here in Alaska.

Reed Mclevis – Pasquale’s neighborhood Pizzeria:

Chef, chef we’re on. They’re waiting for us.

Pasquale:

Well, well, well, guess what guys?

Reed:

We’re going on a trip.

Pasquale:

How you doing folks? This is Pasquale from Rochester, Minnesota at Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria where we’re here to make the amazing Zeppoli di San Giuseppe for all the beautiful vets that come here. It’s so touching to do this, that we love it and we’re gonna make something delicious for them.

The Samaritan Lodge, it’s a special place where our veterans, right, we emotionally connect with them through the break and bread. They have given their lives for our freedom, their lives for what we’re enjoying as an immigrant. And it’s just been so beautiful here.

Franklin Graham – President & CEO, Samaritan’s Purse:

Pasquale is such an incredible chef. And he offered to come up here to teach our people to do some Italian food for our guests, for our soldiers, and the spouses. We focus on the marriage, but we focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Father, we thank you for this food, the hands that have prepared it. And Father, we just thank you for the privilege of living in this country and the freedom that you give us. And we pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pasquale:

We’re so fortunate to be able to live in an environment that you can meet great people that devote their life to security, to safety. And it’s so nice to spend a little time on the water, connecting with them while they’re fishing, while they’re smiling, you know? We’re all here together. That piece of bread, that little mozzarella and tomato, that salmon that God gave us that looks so beautiful, food brings so many people together. I love it.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Operation Heal Our Patriots gives wounded veterans and their spouses the opportunity for spiritual refreshment, physical renewal, and marriage enrichment. Couples participate in Biblically based seminars that help strengthen their relationships with God and others and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with outdoor activities at our Alaskan wilderness lodge. We continue to support these men and women after their initial stay, keeping their spiritual needs and marriages a priority.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

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