March 18 - 31, 2016 - The Patriot (Joint Base Charleston)

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Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Vol. 7, No. 6

Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!

March 18, 2016

USS Farragut visits Charleston

U.S. Air Force photos / Staff Sgt. Jared Trimarchi

At top, the USS Farragut, a U.S. Navy destroyer whose homeport is Naval Station Mayport, Florida, is guided by a tug boat before docking in Charleston, South Carolina, March 10, 2016 after completing an exercise near the Atlantic Coast. Above, Sailors aboard the USS Farragut, prepare the ship for docking. Joint Base Charleston leadership greeted the ship upon arrival. While visiting, the ship provided training opportunities to students attending The Citadel, the military college of S.C. At right, the Athabaskan (left) and the Charlottetown, Royal Canadian Navy vessels, moored in Charleston S.C. after completing an exercise with the USS Farragut.

Tomorrow is a brighter day for South Carolina veterans Story and photo by Seamus O'Boyle Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

Highlighting women of character

Combat Camera trains for battle

WOMENS HISTORY SCORPION LENS Pages 4 & 5

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Nuke school class 1605 graduates

NNPTC

Next Issue of the Patriot: April 1, 2016

INSIDE

Veterans Administration Medical Center and their families." According to the Fisher House As a young girl, Durbin Emerson's mother took Foundation, homes are built on or near her to see the movie, "Gone with the Wind." During military and VA medical centers nationthe Atlanta rail yard scene with row upon row of wide where military and veterans' families maimed and wounded soldiers moaning and crying can stay at no cost while a loved one is out, Durbin wept. receiving treatment. As a young business professional in the 1970's makNeither Emerson served in the military but ing his way in Washington, D.C., Trux Emerson was they were intrigued by the opportunity to aid milangered by the fact that his buddies, who were U.S. Naval itary veterans. "Once we looked into it and saw the need in Officers, had been instructed not to wear their uniforms out- Charleston, our interest was piqued," said Durbin. It wasn't side of duty hours. long before the first stumbling block arose, however. "It Approximately 40 years later, after a successful business turns out Fisher Houses can only be built on federal propercareer and raising a family together, the Emerson's were again ty," Trux explained, "And the VA Center didn't have any upset. This time it wasn't a movie or uniforms, Durbin and available land." Faced with an initial challenge, the Emerson's Trux were frustrated by the direction the United States competitiveness came to the fore. Knowing Lowcountry vetseemed to be taking. "We had to do something with all of this erans needed the facility, they began investigating other negative energy," Durbin said. Trux added, "We wanted to do avenues to make the house a reality. something positive but we weren't sure what." Eventually, they hit upon the idea of purchasing a separate While seeking an appropriate outlet, the Emerson's recruit- piece of property close to the Johnson VA Medical Center and ed Medal of Honor recipient, U.S. Marine Corps, Major Gen. donating the land to the federal government. Thus, the Fisher James Livingston (ret.), to assist them in their search. House could be built on federal property. Livingston told them, "We need a Fisher House for veterans After an aggressive real estate search, the Emerson's found who are being treated by Charleston's Ralph H. Johnson 150 Wentworth Street in downtown Charleston and purchased the property for approximately $4 million in 2014. At this point, the Emerson's realized they had found their calling. Durbin said, "We knew we had to make this happen. The Fisher House Charleston would be the first in South Carolina and our veterans need it." She added, "It was almost by accident but Trux and I found ourselves financially, physically and emotionally invested in this project." Drawing courtesy of Fisher House Charleston Foundation From that point on, the Artist rendering of the Fisher House Charleston. When construction is complete, Fisher House Charleston will have 14,425 square feet of living space with 16 bedroom suites and Emerson's have been working common kitchen, living and dining areas. The Fisher House Foundation reports that bed- tirelessly to achieve the goal of a room suites are normally in use 365 days of the year. In the Charleston area that could save fully functioning Fisher House veterans' families over $1.1 million per year in hotel expenses. servicing the Johnson VA

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U.S. Air Force photo / Seamus O'Boyle

Trux and Durbin Emerson, co-founders, Fisher House Charleston. Fisher Houses are built on or near military and VA medical centers nationwide where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. The Emersons have been working on this project since 2012 and hope to have the Fisher House Charleston fully operating by the end of 2017.

Medical Center. Thousands of individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations have joined their efforts over the past three years. Sandy Morckel, President and Change Agent for Inspired Philanthropy of Solutions for the Greater Good, the consultant helping with the project, stated, "Fisher House Charleston would never be this close to becoming reality if it weren't for Trux and Durbin." She continued, "In over 30 years of fundraising and community involvement, I have never seen a couple devote the kind of energy, determination, personal sacrifice and leadership that the Emerson's have to this project - attending to every detail to make sure the goal is reached!" Thus far, about $8 million towards a goal of just over $10 million have been raised. The Emerson's also commented on the public support the project has generated. "The people of South Carolina, in general, and our neighbors in the Charleston area specifically, including Joint Base Charleston, have really been incredible in moving the project forward," said Durbin. See Fisher House Charleston, Page 7

WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Partly Cloudy

Friday, March 18

(0% precip)

High 79º Low 55º

Rain Saturday, March 19

(80% precip)

High 68º Low 51º

Extended Forecast

Morning Showers Sunday, March 20

(40% precip)

High 62º Low 41º

Mon. - March 21 65°/41° - Sunny (0%) Tue. - March 22 70°/50° - Sunny (0%) Wed. - March 23 78°/58° - Sunny (0%) Thur. - March 24 81°/60° - Partly Cloudy (20%) Fri. - March 25 80°/56° - Partly Cloudy (20%)

See Joint Base Charleston at www.Facebook/TeamCharleston - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO

MAGENTA-OAOO

YELLOW-OOAO

BLACK 01/29/08


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