Photo credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images
“When we gather each year at The Garden Brunch, it’s more than sipping cocktails and posting social [media],” said Tammy Haddad, the visionary behind the inaugural event three decades ago that launched in her backyard but has since transitioned its venue to the esteemed Georgetown residence of Mark & Sally Ein (formerly owned by Washington Post Publisher Katherine Graham) catering to the ever-growing guest list.
“We also use this platform to inform and inspire our communities and it starts with celebrating journalism. Journalists are public servants and we congratulate Kelly O’Donnell from NBC News, this year’s president of The White House Correspondents Association. And speaking of public servants, we’re honored to welcome four public servants who saved countless lives during the collapse of The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore from the Maryland Transportation Authority. Thank you for your acts of bravery. We are so, so thrilled that you can join us today. Can someone get these men a drink please?”
Tammy Haddad (C) poses with Officer Timothy Baublitz, Sergeant Paul Pastorek, Officer Garry Kirts, and First Corporal Jeremy Herbert of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, who assisted during the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The brunch also consistently honors veterans. “I just want to say that we’re celebrating The First Amendment. That is why we’re here. And our military and the caregivers of our military, they are the guardian of that, right? And they put it out there for us so we can enjoy moments like this, but they’re the ones who are doing the work. And so I hope we all just pause and remember that.” NBC‘s Savannah Guthrie
Michael Feldman and Savannah Guthrie
Brunch Mates:
This year’s brunch was co-hosted by Tammy Haddad, Ruth Porat, Kevin Sheekey, Mark and Sally Ein, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Jon Banner, Craig Minassian, and Franco Nuschese celebrating journalism, democracy, and heroism and sponsored by McDonald’s, General Motors, U.S. Steel, Verizon, and Flex.
