Downtown Tacoma’s El Gaucho restaurant now has two ways to say thank you to local military.  Since November of 2006 diners at the restaurant who are also members of the military have received a small gift along with their dinner checks â€" a plaque recognizing their contributions as members of the armed forces.  Their names are also added to a perpetual plaque displayed near the restaurant’s entrance. 

El Gaucho has since added a second program focused on the military.  Diners at the restaurant now have the option to buy a wine keepsake charm, formed by small red, white and blue crystals, to decorate their in-house beverage glasses. Proceeds from sales of the charms benefit the Fisher House Foundation, which, among other things, provides temporary housing for family members whose loved ones are undergoing treatment at military or veterans medical centers.  The charms are priced at $5. â€" Bill Timnick

[El Gaucho, 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma]