Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since its inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $575 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles program, using donated frequent flyer miles and funds to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members, as well as the Hotels for Heroes program, using donated hotel points and dollars to allow family members to stay without charge at hotels near medical centers. The Foundation also manages an awards program that helps other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses, and children of fallen and disabled veterans.
Fisher House Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Donations to Fisher House Foundation or individual Fisher Houses are tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law.
FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION
CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Kenneth Fisher
PRESIDENT
David A. Coker
CHIEF OF STAFF
Mary Considine
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Michelle Horn
MANAGING EDITOR
David Nye
COPY EDITOR
Blake Stilwell
LAYOUT AND ART DIRECTION
Gifted Eye Designs
giftedeyedesigns.com
Address all correspondence to:
The Patriot Fisher House Foundation
12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 410 Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 294-8560
Fax: (301) 294-8562
Email: info@fisherhouse.org
www.fisherhouse.org
Cover Photo: Cover photo by Craig Orsini at orsinistudio.com
At Fisher House Foundation, our magazine, much like the work we do, is about teamwork. The Patriot is created in-house by our communications staff. Our graphic designers at Gifted Eye Designs donate services toward the design of each issue, and our printing partners help ensure we are getting the best rates possible. The Patriot magazine is one of our best resources to educate audiences about the Foundation’s work, and we are proud of the product we create. We are grateful to provide this resource at a very minimal cost, thanks to the work of everyone involved. At Fisher House, we always strive to be good stewards of your donation to the Foundation.
As Fisher House Foundation steadily moves along the Road to 100 Fisher Houses, I am excited to update you about all that has already happened in 2023 and where we are headed.
Earlier this year, we dedicated the Columbia, South Carolina and Lexington, Kentucky Fisher Houses. We look forward to beginning new houses in Memphis, Tennessee and Detroit and finishing construction on houses in Columbia, Missouri and Bay Pines, Florida later this year. Construction will also begin on a second house at the VA in San Antonio, Texas. We plan to reach 96 completed Fisher Houses in 2023!
Later in the year, we will support the families of U.S. athletes competing in the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany as they represent the United States in the sixth Invictus Games. It has been our honor to be a premier partner for all of the Invictus Games, celebrating the achievements of the competitors and their families through their healing journeys.
We are blessed by your incredible partnership to help our military, veterans, and their families. Even through the pandemic, with the financial challenges faced by just about everyone, we stayed strong and, with your unwavering support, are poised to build houses well into the future. Reaching the 100th Fisher House will be an incredible milestone, not a stopping point. We are as committed as ever to building Fisher Houses for our nation’s heroes and their loved ones where they need it most.
Thank you,
Kenneth Fisher Chairman and CEO, Fisher House Foundation @kenfisherfhf
Fisher House Foundation works hard to be a good steward of the resources entrusted to us. It is a privilege to do the work we do, and we are proud to hold the highest ratings awarded by the top national charity watchdog organizations.
Fisher House Foundation received an A+ from CharityWatch in its veterans and military category. Only three military and veteran charities currently hold this distinctive A+ rating.
Charity Navigator awarded the Foundation its coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management for the 19th consecutive year, a rating achieved by less than 1% of the charities in the country that it monitors. Only 13 charities have been so highly rated for 19 years.
Fisher House Foundation earned the 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by Candid, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. Additionally, WalletHub selected Fisher House Foundation as the Best Charity to Donate to for Veterans in 2021 and 2022.
facebook.com/fisherhouse
We asked what you loved most about Fisher House. Here are your responses:
“The fellow guests. The amazing staff.” Travis AFB Fisher House — Donna Farrell
“God bless you and each and every one at Fisher House and all they do for our precious veterans and their families........” — Judy Shrader
“Thank you for being there for my husband and me! It was a safe haven while my husband was in the hospital on two different occasions. Thank you.” — Deb Ramsey
“Your leadership is a blessing to the mission of Fisher House in serving 'our greatest national treasure' — our military and their families.” — Marianne Parkinson
“Thank you for helping my vet brothers and sisters.” — George Mastroni
“The kindness of all who became family. The beautiful volunteers who decorated, provided music, hugs & prayers during a difficult time.” — Jane Jensen
“All the families I got to meet, sharing our stories of loved ones in the VA hospital, it was so comforting, Fisher homes are a blessing.” — Charlie Pearson
“Thanks for posting this. There are lots of good charities out there for Veterans, but Fisher House is the best. Here’s to a great Marathon 2023.” — Mark Dickinson
twitter.com/fisherhousefdtn
Katie “The Quilt Lady” has provided many wonderful quilts to families stayed at Fisher House San Diego. She’s been creating these wonderful items for 30 years!
@NolaVFW Thank you for what you do! We love our #FisherHouse here in #NewOrleans next to the @VANewOrleans.
Rhino @RhinoSaid Appreciate all the awesome work you guys are doing out there.
Bo_the_Dad @bofaulds Great hearing the shoutout for @FisherHouseFdtn great organization that was a huge help for me. Thank you.
linkedin.com/company/fisher-house-foundation/
When it comes to organizations serving our Veteran Community, Fisher House is second to none. Some of the kindest, selfless, most dedicated folks I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Cheers to those who manage the homes, volunteer their time, run the races and fundraise — Go Fisher House! — Tim West
instagram.com/fisherhousefdtn/
This is amazing Thank you for what you do for our service members and our vets! — grantsworks
Love this and you all . — mattcable
Have you stayed at a Fisher House? Volunteered? Donated? We want to hear what Fisher House means to you! Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code and share with us. Thank you.
Cathleen Daniels knew when her husband told her that he wanted to join the military that being part of a military family would be tough, but she quickly realized it was the right path. David, a son of missionaries, knew in his heart that this calling was the path that God had decided for him, and Cathleen felt a sense of peace with their decision. Several years later, though, the family was faced with a series of unknowns that they never anticipated.
At the end of 2021, their experience, while challenging, wasn’t all that unusual for a military family. David, an Air Force aircraft structural mechanic, had just returned from a year in Korea. The Daniels were preparing to relocate from Florida, where Cathleen and their two young daughters, Adalyn (5) and Elayah (3) had spent the last year, to their new duty station in New Mexico. In December, they received the exciting news that Cathleen was pregnant again. The growing family had most of their belongings picked up in April and, at the end of May, made their way across the country. That is when the real unknowns came.
When the family was about an hour and a half outside of San Antonio, Texas, Cathleen’s water broke — at just 23 weeks. They went back to the nearest hospital they knew of, in San Antonio, where they were told she could not go anywhere unless it was
by ambulance or helicopter, so she was admitted. At first, they depended on friends of their parents for a place to stay but knew this wasn’t really a practical solution. After they reached out for resources from their medical team, a social worker referred them to Fisher House.
On May 28, after just 23 weeks and 5 days of pregnancy, Luke was born weighing just 1 pound, 5 ounces. As a micropreemie, he faced numerous complications, so he remained in the neonatal intensive care unit. Staying at the Lackland Air Force Base Fisher House allowed Cathleen and David to take turns watching Luke’s sisters and bonding with him, letting him hear their voices and allowing them to hold him as much as possible at Methodist Hospital where he was born.
The Daniels family has had months of unknowns. “Our whole story is ‘We don’t know,’” explained Cathleen. “How long would we be here? When will he be able to come home? When can we leave? Where will we go?”
What Cathleen does know is that family is all she really needs to be home.
“Home is where heart is, and family is where home is. As long as we have our family, we are home.”
Left: The Daniels Family smiles in the dining room of the Lackland Fisher House during their summer 2022 stay. The family stayed at the house when baby Luke suddenly arrived early.On this page: The Daniels Family during their stay at Wilford Hall Medical Center and the Lackland Fisher House. Baby Luke was born at just 23 weeks and 5 days and needed a long NICU stay. His family was able to stay together near the hospital and visit often.
Both Cathleen and David’s parents live in Africa as missionaries, and their siblings live all over the country. With almost everything in storage and so many unknowns, Fisher House became a family to them, which was very important to them.
“It’s been fantastic. The fact that it exists is awesome,” said David. “The kids really became close to the staff and even met Luke here.”
Cathleen and David’s parents were all able to make the journey from Africa and stayed with the Daniels at the Fisher House to meet their tiny grandson.
Built to support Wilford Hall Medical Center, which had a large labor and delivery department, NICU, and pediatric population, the Lackland Fisher House has a special playroom for children in the center of the house. Both Adalyn and Elayah enthusiastically pointed out the many toys and books that are their “favorites.” They shared how much they loved the murals that make them feel like they are in a forest.
“All the things we didn’t think of, and even the things we did, were provided,” said Cathleen. “It’s been the biggest blessing.”
“We told the girls, ‘We are all together and this is home for now,’” she explained. “We don’t know what is next, but this is our home for now.”
The Program Managers are employees of the Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs who manage all house managers affiliated with their branch.
Mary McLean is the daughter of Army nurses. She is a former Coast Guard auxiliarist, an Air Force veteran, and the Air Force’s Fisher House Program Manager. Her decades of experience with military families, including her own, provided the foundation for a position that’s all about helping those same families during medical crises.
When she was finishing high school, Mary decided to pursue work in hotels rather than immediately join the military. It wasn’t until she was 31 that she decided to commission into the Air Force with an age waiver. Luckily, the Air Force needed services [morale, welfare, and recreation] officers, and so Mary fit right in, bringing her previous work experience to bear.
“I loved it because of the interaction with the people,” she said. “I really enjoyed taking care of people, but when it came to deployments, mine allowed me to think outside of the box. I deployed to Kuwait and a couple years later was part of security forces in Croatia, both over the holidays, which can be hard. You want to try and come up with fun ways to keep people occupied and I really enjoyed that challenge.”
Some of her innovations included using shipping containers to make a bowling alley, building a miniature golf course from plywood, and turning athletic socks into Christmas stockings.
These experiences help Mary when she’s working with individual house managers, something she gets to do more often since the Air Force is a close-knit community of only 14 Fisher Houses.
“I’m in constant contact with the managers,” Mary said. “Whenever my work phone or personal phone goes off, I am ready for them. Sometimes it may be something their families are encountering or an issue with the house is happening. I want to try and help them find solutions, whatever they may be; sometimes that means finding Air Force references and sometimes it means finding a new, creative way.”
Managers sometimes need concrete solutions, like immediate transfer of funds for when the Alaska Fisher House’s heated sidewalks suddenly stopped working and the part had to be rushed in. Managers also need help pushing information up the chain and reaching out to other base agencies as well as bouncing ideas for best practices.
“How can we spread the innovative ideas and processes that are really working at one house to all of the other houses with similar situations? We want to capitalize on the unique capabilities of the houses but not recreate the wheel. I act as a conduit of information from one house to another and from the Air Force leadership to the houses and back.”
Outside of work, Mary enjoys reading and traveling with her three daughters, all of whom are military affiliated.
“I’ve taken my girls all over Europe and to probably 75 percent of the national parks and monuments in the United States.”
Mary and her daughters formerly lived in the UK and went to the International Clan MacLean reunion which they enjoyed so much that they plan to attend again this year.
Fisher House Foundation is comprised of many passionate and talented people. Each issue, you’ll meet someone who helps contribute to our mission of supporting our military, veterans, and their families.
Seth Coker Hero Programs Administrator
That Warrior Games got Seth hooked. He came on as the Hero Programs assistant and was later promoted to Hero Programs Administrator for Hotels for Heroes. He’s heavily engaged ahead of Warrior Games and Invictus Games in planning and supporting the family programs, but also, all year-round, he supports families that suddenly need a hotel when a Fisher House is closed, full, or otherwise unable to support them.
For Seth Coker, his first work experience with Fisher House was raising money for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System Fisher House in Charleston, South Carolina. As the philanthropy chair for the University of Charleston chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, he led fundraisers for the construction of the local house.
He was studying international business with a minor in European relations, so when he was able to volunteer with the Inaugural 2014 Invictus Games in London, he was excited to visit the city and see how the sporting event was organized. It was a fortuitous visit for the student.
“It was the year before I graduated, and I wanted to do something like the Games, sporting events, and large-scale events. And so, I originally was trying to get a job for the Invictus Games, actually, and that’s how I got introduced to Tish and interviewed with her.”
Tish Stropes, Fisher House Foundation vice president of strategic initiatives, wanted Seth on her own team, so she asked if he would come to Fisher House instead and support the upcoming Warrior Games.
“I got brought on the week before Warrior Games, kind of like a crash course,” Seth said.
Luckily, Seth was already very familiar with the Fisher House mission of caring for military and veteran families since Seth’s dad is the Foundation’s president, Dave Coker.
“It’s fast-paced,” he said. “I like the immediacy of helping a family today with a problem they have today. And I like building relationships with the house managers and hotel staff that we work with every single day.”
When he’s not rushing around Warrior Games or Invictus Games or setting up hotel reservations on short notice, Seth enjoys his time in Washington D.C. with his dog. He golfs often, visits memorials and museums, and occasionally bikes through the city.
“At night, I really like the Jefferson and Korean War Memorials. I really like how the statues of the men come at you out of the plants at the Korean Memorial. And the Jefferson Memorial is so picturesque.”
But there’s one D.C. draw that Seth has never seen, despite growing up in Maryland and living in D.C. for the past two years.
“I’ve never seen the cherry blossoms,” he laughed.
Volunteer Laura Eastridge often spends 12-hour days at the Ann Arbor Fisher House. She has dedicated more than 658 hours, and counting, since July 2021. On Sunday night she starts her meal prep to offer guests breakfast early Monday morning. House manager April LaRock says Laura makes the house a home, which is why she nominated Laura for Fisher House Volunteer of the Year.
“Laura cares about the families we serve and enjoys interacting with them while cooking in the kitchen,” April said.
When Laura won Volunteer of the Year, she did not expect recognition because she enjoys her role. She explained that time goes quickly, chatting with grateful guests sitting at the kitchen bar counter.
“I am very fortunate to have the time to put into the Fisher House,” Laura said.
Laura loves to prepare delicious homemade meals, desserts, and baked goods. She shares recipes in a cookbook that volunteers put together for guests to take home. April says guests praise Laura for her warm hospitality and thoughtful meals.
“The Fisher House feels like a home away from home with yummy smells when Laura is here,” April said.
Laura’s connection to Fisher House goes much deeper than her volunteer work. Her Fisher House journey begins with a personal story about her family.
“I share my story about my son with some of the guests,” she said.
As a stay-at-home mom, Laura enjoyed cooking for her family and loved watching her three kids flourish. Her oldest, Tim, joined the Air Force in August 2015. He was training to be an F-16 Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief, but shortly after boot camp, he was diagnosed with leukemia. At first, Laura used Hero Miles for flights to see him.
“The Hero Miles program was amazing because we didn't know how we would afford to fly back and forth.”
The flights gave her the flexibility to fly between Michigan and Texas to be with her two girls at home and to care for Tim. Laura ended up staying in three separate Fisher Houses. Every week for three years, she made Tim his favorite meal of chicken stew.
“At the time we were so overwhelmed. I was so grateful to have a place to lay my head.”
Laura spent most of her time at the hospital with her son, rarely interacting at Fisher House. Now, her time volunteering allows her to experience Fisher House differently than before.
“It gives me a personal connection to my son because he was a very kind and generous person.”
Laura remembers how positive and calm Tim remained for four years before he lost his battle at 23 years old. Hearing other guest stories, she says she can more easily resonate with families in a crisis who are trying to navigate their time and focus. She even makes them chicken stew to help them through their journey.
“I know Tim would be happy and proud that I am honoring his memory in giving back to this community,” Laura said.
Fisher House Foundation is grateful to all the volunteers who assist at Fisher Houses throughout the country and overseas. These dedicated supporters make a difference for thousands of families every year. The three volunteers below were nominated and selected for how their efforts represent the Navy, Air Force, and Army Fisher House programs. The overall winner, from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Ann Arbor Fisher House, is highlighted to the left.
ARMY FISHER HOUSE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Dr. Linda Ann Simon volunteers at the Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center Fisher House in Fort Gordon, Georgia. A retired Delta pilot, she’s known at the house for how she humbly steps in to do whatever needs doing while she’s at the house. From checking in families to answering phones to putting up holiday decorations, Dr. Simon serves wherever she is called.
AIR FORCE VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
Ann and Kevin Robinson show love at the Alaska Fisher House by preparing meals for the families staying there. The couple became involved as Alaska Fisher House II was preparing to open around Christmas 2018. They immediately helped provide Christmas gifts for the children and meals for all the families. Since then, they’ve hosted gourmet dinners, an anniversary dinner for the house, and other meals to more than 1,300 families at the Alaska House.
NAVY FISHER HOUSE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Lillian Capesius is a steadfast volunteer who spent 10 years as a caregiver to her husband, a Navy captain. Despite being in her early 90s, Lillian continues to find ways to help other military and veteran families by recruiting her friends to volunteer, knitting beanies, and even delivering meals to the Navy Medical Center San Diego Fisher House.
Fisher House Foundation proudly sponsored the Department of Defense Warrior Games and led the Family Program, bringing hundreds of the athletes’ most important supporters with them to the games this past summer. Fisher House has sponsored the Family Program since its inception in 2012.
The Warrior Games, first held in 2010, celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active-duty and veteran U.S. military service members as they compete in adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, and others.
“The Warrior Games are an important part of these athletes’ recovery, giving them another goal to work toward during rehabilitation as well as allowing them to display their warrior spirit,” said Fisher House Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher.
“But they’re also important for the families that have grown and sacrificed right beside their veteran. This is a chance for them to come together, to share, and to celebrate, as well.”
The 2022 Warrior Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World Resort was the first time the games were held since 2019. Over 600 athletes, friends, and family members attended the games and a special celebration just for these families at Magic Kingdom before the opening ceremony.
Families received travel, lodging, and meals at no cost. Fisher House Foundation also ran a Family Program Hospitality Suite at ESPN Wide World of Sports that provided snacks, beverages, resiliency activities, and games during the athletic events.
Other events focused on military and veteran families took place at the same time as the games, including a Veterans Institute
Summit hosted by the Disney Institute, allowing veterans and families to connect with resources available to them. The Disney Institute provides career opportunities to veterans, encourages other employers to hire veterans, and invests in nonprofit organizations providing training and other support to veteran and military families.
Significant support for the Warrior Games Family Program came from Amazon and Amazon Web Services who pledged $5 million over five years to the program. To learn more about their partnership with Fisher House Foundation, check out page 21.
Military service members, veterans, and their families are supported by countless organizations that acknowledge their sacrifices. We feature a top-tier organization each issue.
After his heart transplant, Army veteran Matthew Looby needed a way to get to hospital appointments from his home in Westport, New York to Massachusetts. Since connecting with PALS SkyHope, a nonprofit that provides airlift services for patients traveling with a medical need, Matthew has used PALS nearly 50 times to get to appointments. Brook Leighton, PALS Director of Development, says winning the 2022 Fisher Service Award means they can serve more people like Matthew.
“One of the things we don’t like doing at PALS is telling people no… this grant allows us to say yes to many more service men and women who need to get to therapeutic retreats and programs,” Brook said.
PALS SkyHope provides free air transportation for military personnel and veterans through their Pals for Patriots Program which was awarded the top grant of $90,000 for the 2022 Fisher Service Award. Fisher House Foundation and Military Times awarded grants totaling $250,000 to five nonprofit organizations supporting military service members and their families.
Using volunteer pilots, PALS connects veterans and their families to better access medical treatment, retreats, moraleboosting events, and other programs. Executive Director Donna Collins said she felt honored to meet others who have a passion for serving military families. The nonprofit applied for the award several years in a row, so when they won the top award this year, they were excited to make a bigger impact.
“I was overwhelmed with gratitude, appreciation, and in awe of all the people I was surrounded by,” Donna said.
Winning organizations met at Dog Tag Bakery in Washington D.C. for a networking event on October 25 before the formal Fisher Service Award ceremony on October 26. Donna says it was overwhelming but touching to hear stories from other organizations that have a passion for supporting service members and their families.
“We have passionate pilots that love to do this,” Donna said.
In addition to funding PALS’ usual costs related to providing flights for veterans and military service members, they have also used the money to increase outreach activities. Brook said she feels like this is the beginning of a new chapter.
“We made connections with a number of organizations that we are now able to serve. Additionally, the more we learn about these other organizations, the better our service delivery becomes,” Brook said.
Four other organizations received a grant for $40,000, including Our Military Kids®; Everyone for Veterans; Children’s Waiting Room, Armed Services YMCA of the USA; and Rosie’s Kidpreneur Camp Program, from The Rosie Network. Learn more on the page on the right.
The Fisher Service Award continues the Newman’s Own Awards legacy started in 1999. Nearly 600 organizations applied for the award in 2022. Since the award’s inception, 200 nonprofit awardees have received more than $2.75 million.
To learn more about the program: fisherserviceaward.org .
Woodbridge, Virginia
Armed Services YMCA of the USA's Children's Waiting Room provides childcare services inside military hospitals and clinics, enabling military parents to keep scheduled appointments without the stress of finding childcare outside of the hospital. www.asymca.org
Issaquah, Washington
Everyone for Veterans provides no-cost comprehensive dental care to honor and transform the lives of combat veterans by eliminating pain and infection, restoring adequate function, and improving aesthetics. www.everyoneforveterans.org
Oakton, Virginia
Our Military Kids® recognizes the sacrifice of children of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, and Post 9/11 combat-injured service members by offering extracurricular activity grants that build children's self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. www.ourmilitarykids.org
Ramona, California
The Rosie Network's Kidpreneur Program delivers full-service training and support to military teens who are interested in entrepreneurship through an initial 3-week camp program and year-round support, training, and services.
www.therosienetwork.org
Fisher House Foundation’s Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher was recognized for his incredible dedication to military service members, veterans, and their loved ones last fall when he was awarded the 2022 West Point Association of Graduates’ Sylvanus Thayer Award.
On October 6, during ceremonies that included a review of the Corps of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams presented the award to Ken.
Since 1958, the West Point Association of Cadets has presented an “other than West Point graduate” the Thayer Award. Recipients are nominated by members of the association “whose outstanding character, accomplishments, and stature in the civilian community draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’”
“I have had the pleasure and honor of knowing Ken Fisher for many years. Most recently, as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, I personally witnessed the value Ken brings to veterans and their families as we opened more Fisher Houses around the country,” said West Point Association of Graduates Board Chairman, Honorable Robert A. McDonald. “Veteran families were able to be close by while their loved ones were
going through treatment at a VA medical center. Because legislation prevents the VA from funding or building similar structures, private partnerships like Fisher Houses are critical to veterans and the military community. Further, I had the joy of working with Ken on the Invictus Games, which he chaired in Orlando, Florida. These Games brought disabled veterans together from all over the world. President George and First Lady Laura Bush, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Prince Harry were all involved in this successful event. Ken represents the values of West Point: Duty, Honor, Country. I am so pleased that the West Point Association of Graduates is honoring him for his achievements.”
Ken was honored with a full-dress parade by the Corps of Cadets at West Point. He was then presented with the Thayer medal and gave a formal address to the Corps. He also dined with cadets and met with them in a classroom setting. Ken’s portrait is now permanently on display with those of the remarkable previous recipients in the Thayer Award Room in Taylor Hall at West Point.
“I am honored to accept the Sylvanus Thayer Award,” said Ken. “I am humbled by the nomination and to join the ranks of the incredible list of past recipients.”
Ken joins a distinguished list of past recipients including presidents, chiefs of staff of the Army, cabinet secretaries, and more.
In his remarks to the student body and the West Point Association of Graduates, Ken spoke of the importance of all Americans coming together to bridge the militarycivilian divide.
“We come together in service to others because we have long been strengthened by our differences,” he said. “Yes, America is a wild mix of people from different races, different ethnicities, different backgrounds, different outlooks. And for most of our history, even amid terrible injustices — we’ve celebrated our diversity. It has girded us against every challenge, both foreign and domestic, and we’ve emerged as a beacon of hope and strength. Today we need to ensure that some strength is reborn, and that process begins by reinvesting in the bond that needs to exist between the nation’s public and private communities.”
A video of Ken’s full remarks is available here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=vLtGwkEenBg.
To learn more about the Sylvanus Thayer Award, read Ken’s remarks, and see the complete list of recipients, go to: https://www.westpointaog.org/thayeraward
Dec. 24, 1932 – Sept. 11, 2022
Fisher House Foundation remembers former Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation Arnold Fisher who passed away on Sept. 11, 2022. A Korean War veteran himself, Arnold made an incredible impact on the military and veteran community with his many initiatives and his unwavering support.
As a Senior Partner of Fisher Brothers, Arnold was personally responsible for the construction of more than 15 million square feet of space, both commercial and residential, and left his indelible imprint on the Manhattan skyline and cityscape. The properties for which he was personally responsible include the four signature midtown office towers that are the centerpieces of the current Fisher Brothers portfolio.
His wide-ranging philanthropic endeavors focused on members and veterans of the armed forces and their families, particularly those who died or were wounded in action.
One of his most remarkable projects was spearheading the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund’s construction of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence on the Navy campus in Bethesda, Maryland, a 72,000-square-foot, state-of-theart research, diagnosis, and treatment center for service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions.
Arnold served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Intrepid Museum Foundation and Chairman of Fisher House Foundation. He also led the Fisher Brothers Annual Scholarship Fund for military children. He served
as a member of the Independent Review Group committee formed by the Department of Defense to investigate the shortcomings of the treatment of wounded service personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
His other philanthropic causes included the Veterans Bedside Network and the development of the Vietnam Memorial in Westchester County, New York. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Hall of Honor and received the Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
In 2008, he received the Presidential Citizens Medal from the White House and was an Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Honoree in 2007.
In 2005, Arnold became an Honorary Knight of the British Empire in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the welfare and well-being of families of British Armed Forces personnel killed in action and his energetic leadership in support of closer U.K.-U.S. relations.
Additionally, he was a trustee of the New York State Trooper Foundation and a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
He is survived by his wife, Sally Ogden, along with three children, 12 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Arnold will be missed for his generosity and his enduring support to those who serve.
Don’t use the word charity with regard to the military. This is duty.
Mr. Arnold Fisher, we salute you.
Jack DeLeuw dreamt of enlisting in the military since he was a child, following in the footsteps of his father, uncle, grandfather, and eldest stepbrother. As a kid, he watched the well-known movie Black Hawk Down with his dad, motivating him even more.
“I remember looking at him going, ‘That's what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be in the Army,’” Jack said.
After high school graduation, Jack left for training at Fort Benning, Georgia, later attending airborne school on September 11, 2015. His life trajectory changed less than two months later when he was in a motorcycle accident, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and two shattered forearms. Both parents, Thom DeLeuw and Beth Smith, rushed halfway across the country to his hospital bedside. Upon their arrival, doctors told them the severity of his TBI could cost him his life.
“When we got to the hospital, he was in a coma. And so, for three days, I just laid next to him, sat next to him in his bed, rubbed his arm, and cried. I mean, it just, it was tough,” Thom said.
Jack woke from his coma three weeks after the crash. Beth said she wanted to make sure Jack had the right care in San Antonio, Texas. She spent 16 weeks at two San Antonioarea Fisher Houses while Jack was at Fort Sam Houston’s Brooke Army Medical Center and Audie Murphy Veterans hospital.
“We didn't know how long it would take, but as soon as he woke up at the hospital in Sam Houston, he started to crack jokes,” Beth said.
Beth said staff and volunteers went out of their way for them during their stay, including coordinating family visits, transportation, food, and other necessities.
“God put people in my path that made that journey so much more tolerable,” Beth said.
Jack stayed at the Fisher House with his dad on weekends. Watching movies with his family helped him adjust to his new
normal. He stored food in the community kitchen and socialized with other guests. Jack met an active-duty airman whose family also stayed at Fisher House. Years later, the two stay in touch.
“We became friends because we were at PTRP (Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program) and in the hospital going through similar therapy.”
When Jack completed his rehabilitation, he returned to active duty, joining the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. But Jack faced new challenges in 2020 when a driver backing out of a driveway caused Jack to swerve off the road on his motorcycle. He broke three ribs and suffered a bursting fracture of the T-7 vertebrae in his spine, resulting in complete paralysis from his sternum down.
Jack’s dad Thom, a six-year Army veteran, retired from his 34-year career as a law enforcement officer to become a certified caregiver. Now that they live together, they start their day with a morning brief. From target practice to favorite hangouts and sporting activities, they keep a busy schedule. Several days a week, Jack meets with a cycling group at Fort Bragg.
“I am there in case there is an emergency. He can do a lot of the stuff on his own,” Thom said.
When Jack made Team Army as an athlete for the 2022 Warrior Games in Orlando, Florida, Thom supported him through his events. Jack took home three bronze medals — two in rowing and another in archery.
Jack’s advice to others on a similar journey, “Don’t let others limit you as to what you want to achieve in life. You are never out of the fight, always keep pushing forward.”
Nine of Florida’s American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. members eagerly returned to their volunteer efforts serving veterans at Fisher Houses and VA hospitals in Florida since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Four Florida AGSM, Inc. chapters have members at five VA healthcare systems in the state and four Fisher Houses.
Their goal for 2023 is to serve at all seven Fisher Houses in Florida. Here are photos from their recent efforts in Bay Pines, Tampa Bay, West Palm Beach, and Orlando:
Bay Pines VA Health Care System
AGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay Chapter member Holly Ross and her husband, associate member Ralph, prepare to carve the turkey for the Christmas luncheon at the Bay Pines Fisher House.
Bay Pines VA Health Care System
Gold Star mothers, Fisher House staff, and guests pose in the beautifully decorated dining room at the Bay Pines Fisher House.
James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital
AGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay Chapter members meet with VA staff during the AGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay Fisher House festive Christmas dinner. The Gold Star mothers have provided a Christmas meal for the Fisher House for the past eight years.
West Palm
AGSM, Inc. Treasure Coast Chapter members made festive holiday treats for the West Palm Beach Fisher House families and staff to enjoy.
Orlando VA Medical Health Care System
AGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay Chapter member Sandy Miller presented Jonathan, Orlando VA Health Care System, Christmas gift bags filled with much needed items for veterans. Chapter members have also provided baby shower gifts to house guests.
“Each of us know that ‘a family’s love is good medicine,’ as it was a part of our healing from our deepest loss,” said Toni Gross, a Gold Star mother and Tampa Bay Chapter member. “I have been a Fisher House volunteer now for 10 years at the house on the campus of James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa.”
“There is a saying, ‘Always find joy in the journey,’” Toni said. “When I am volunteering, joy is not difficult to find. Matter of fact, it’s waiting there for me to embrace.”
Toni also thanked former Fisher House Vice President of Communications Kerri Childress for her care while telling the Gross Family story in 2016. Kerri unfortunately passed in 2019 but helped tell the stories of hundreds of military and veteran families.
At Fisher House Foundation, we have the support of community groups throughout the country who support their local Fisher Houses or raise funds and awareness for a future Fisher House in their area. Here are some highlights.
More than 300 golfers showed up to support Fisher House Wisconsin for its 10th Annual Golf Outing. With the generous support of NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, Kohler Co., and RFK Racing, Fisher House Wisconsin was able to raise additional funds with photo opportunities, personal autographs, and signed auction prizes.
The Friends of Mid-Missouri Fisher House volunteered to support the Columbia Track Club's 63rd Annual Heart of America Marathon & Fun Team Relay on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2022, in Columbia, Missouri. This annual race started in 1960 and is the second oldest continuously running marathon in the U.S. Friends of Mid-Missouri Fisher House volunteers have supported the race since 2020, and the Heart of America Marathon organization kindly made a generous donation.
The Friends of Fisher House St. Louis Board hosted its second 5K Walk, Run, Roll event at the Jefferson Barracks County Park. Over 200 participants attended or held their own events. The group netted almost $6,000. All participants, volunteers, and sponsors received an event shirt to help build awareness about Fisher House and its mission. Friends of Fisher House St. Louis has decided to hold the third annual 5K Walk-RunRoll in late October 2023 at Jefferson Barracks St. Louis County Park, Missouri Military Memorial and Gold Star Pavilion.
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System honored Fisher House Michigan Advisor, Jewish WWII war veteran, and Ritchie Boy Dr. Guy Stern on the eve of his 101st birthday. Every veteran receiving care at VA Ann Arbor Medical Center will now enter through the Dr. Guy Stern Welcome Center. FHM is proud of its tight relationship with VA Ann Arbor and Detroit VA Healthcare System as it supports one house and fundraises for the future VA Detroit Fisher House. Michiganders can find informational gatherings and fundraising events in communities near them throughout 2023 at fisherhousemichigan.org/events
Lance and Keri LeClere’s relationship started in Navy hospitals when they were both U.S. Navy health practitioners.
“I was active-duty for 15 years and I'm now a reservist,” Lance said. “And Keri was active-duty Navy for a little over four years. We met in 2005. Keri was an active-duty nurse at Naval Medical Center San Diego, and I was a medical student that was rotating through. That's where we first met, although we always joke that she doesn't remember that.”
“I was an intern and then an orthopedic surgery resident when we were dating.”
Keri and Lance’s relationship was blossoming, but their work life was hectic.
“During that time, there were a lot of medevacs coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. And so a lot of our early experiences in the Navy centered around those injuries. And those families of soldiers, sailors, and Marines would stay at the Fisher House in San Diego.”
“I remember I didn't know what the Fisher House was when I first started my training, but I quickly came to realize that when these medevacs would come back, there would be almost a sense of calm when you knew that their families would be staying at the Fisher House,” Lance said.
“These guys and girls coming back had their families in various states back home,” Keri said. “Talking to social workers who we worked with on the floor, it was obvious that it was a huge, huge help for those families to have a place to stay and a community to lean on as well.”
“So many of these Marines and sailors had a long road ahead of them with their recovery. Just knowing that their family was not only going to be able to be with them during their recovery, but literally be right next door, we saw and felt the impact of the Fisher House,” Lance said.
The couple began donating monthly to Fisher House to assist in the mission.
They got a front-row seat to the importance of family during medical stays when their second child was born prematurely.
Their families came to San Diego to support them as they supported their child. It was that understanding of the mission, plus Fisher House’s top ratings on Charity Navigator, that led them to recommend Fisher House to friends and family.
“Whenever people ask me, ‘What’s a good military charity to donate to?’ I always say Fisher House because you know the money's going to people that really can benefit from it in a real and tangible way.”
“We’ve found it to be incredibly fulfilling and gratifying.”
Lance and Kerry know the importance of spirit.
“I trained at Loyola Medical School in Chicago, and the motto there is ‘We treat the human spirit,’ and there's so much more than just treating what we see on the X-ray in terms of getting the patient better. And having family support and having loved ones nearby is critical for a good outcome.”
Story by Michelle Horn
Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are committed to wholeheartedly supporting the Fisher House mission. With a deepseated sense of service and gratitude to the members of the armed forces, thanks in part to a large veteran workforce, both companies have supported multiple Fisher House programs.
In 2020, AWS committed to donate $5 million over five years to help fund the Fisher House’s Family Program at the Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games. The Warrior Games Family Program supports families attending the games by providing two loved ones per athlete with round-trip flights to the host city, lodging, transportation to and from sporting venues, official credentials, meals, and spirit gear.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Warrior Games were delayed in 2021, so AWS’s commitment went to supporting the construction of the Lexington Fisher House on the grounds of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Construction was completed this past October.
Amazon employees have volunteered at several Fisher Houses around the country, and employees based in Lexington are already providing support to this new Fisher House.
With the resumption of the DoD Warrior Games in 2022, AWS supported 300 athletes and over 650 friends and family members through the family program. Further, AWS worked closely with Fisher House as the presenting partner to the Family Program and hosted an unforgettable night at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. Amazon sponsored the volunteer program at Warrior Games and provided gifts for athletes and families.
“Amazon and AWS have been incredible supporters of the Fisher House mission,” said Ken Fisher chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. “They have not only donated to our cause, but also have committed their time and talent. We are appreciative of their
unwavering dedication to the military and veteran community, and are excited to continue our work together into the future.”
“Thank you so much for the welcoming accommodations. The Fisher House is above and beyond. From the staff to the beautiful, fully stocked kitchen to the amazing grounds, I could not have felt more comfortable and taken care of. It has made this challenging time in our lives so much easier and less stressful. Thank you, thank you!
“Thank you so much for welcoming my daughter here. It has been a hard journey with her daughter in the NICU, and your hospitality can never be thanked enough. God bless you all and thank you again!
“Thank you! I loved staying in the Fisher House. Everything was amazing (amaising)!
From: Natalie’s Daughter To: front Desk”
I cannot say enough about this wonderful place! What a good heart the Fisher family has! What a blessing the Fisher House is. The accommodations are wonderful and so close to the hospital. Thank you for all the food supplied. We veterans are so blessed to be welcomed with open arms and caring hearts. We were treated like royalty. May God bless all the workers here as well as the guests. God bless all who made this possible! Love to all. Thank you so much!!
Words cannot say enough for how grateful, appreciative, thankful, and blessed we are for Fisher House. My husband was here to have surgery done and I would not be able to see him until he was dismissed. The nurse told us about Fisher House so I was able to stay here, even when they decided to keep him an extra day. I felt like a princess. Everything was wonderful. The workers and other visitors were always friendly and kind. Jessica and Debbie were always making sure I had everything I needed. They are great and care for all who come through. They are a Godsend. Thanks again for the Fisher family for their caring heart. The houses are very beautiful and tastefully done. We were supplied with everything we would need and felt truly among family. God bless, and thank you, thank you, thank you!
We did a medi-flight with our newborn from England to here. Miss Jill came in while on leave to let us have a place to stay. So far, we've been here since December 2022. It's been a wonderful stay. Ms. Pat and Miss Jill have been so sweet to us. The Fisher House is beautiful, and meeting others here has been beneficial to us also. We are so thankful for this stay. — Emily
Veteran and military spouse Cora Pitts shared her Fisher House story in a speech at the Ann Arbor, Michigan Fisher House dedication last year. Here are her remarks and her story in her own words:
As a veteran, wife of a veteran, mother of two veterans, aunt, cousin, and niece of veterans over many generations, I am honored to have the opportunity to speak about what the Fisher House means to veterans and their families.
I, along with the many other veterans and their families, am thankful for the gift of the Fisher House. It’s not just a place to stay. For everyone that experiences it, and it is an experience, it becomes a community.
I and my husband, Hurbert, like so many other veterans, didn’t know about Fisher House, nor about veterans’ medical benefits. Our medical benefits ended when my husband’s plant closed. We paid for doctor visits and medicine from my part-time job and handyman work he did. A routine blood test led to other tests, and we got the news. It was kidney cancer. How would we pay?
A friend told us about the VA clinic in our town, and to our amazement, we qualified for medical care. His kidney was removed, but an expected three-day hospital stay became a 10. With help from my children and in-laws, I stayed near my husband helping him ask and answer questions because he was challenged with a hearing deficit from guarding jet planes.
Ten years later another routine test showed a problem. Two areas on his one remaining kidney needed to be biopsied. It was 2020, the height of the COVID scare, and no one could go into the hospital. I rented a room close by with my daughter and her husband, and we waited for news. When the call came, I could hear my husband say to the nurse that we were staying in a motel room. She told him about the Fisher House and put into action our first stay.
We checked into the Fisher House Sunday, January 19, the day before his surgery. I settled in for a five-day stay, 10 at the most. The surgery was successful, his kidney was preserved and functioned, but a week later he started having complications. Tests, procedure, conferences, infusions, calls in the middle of the night from doctors and nurses…10 days became 20, 20
became 30. The Fisher House extended my stay, and I didn’t have to move. The 10-day stay became nearly 40 days. I can’t imagine any family being able to afford the cost of a stay in downtown Ann Arbor near the hospital for that length of time.
The cost savings were one great value, but the greater treasure was the connections, the community. At the Fisher House I was given a beautiful room and more. There was a kitchen, always my favorite room of a house, a living room, a family room, and library. There was a fully equipped and stocked laundry room. There was food and drink in the fully stocked kitchen. Here, there was a sense of home. But most of all in these community areas there were people, whether staff or other guests, who shared victories, sorrow, struggles, prayers, meals, and stories. There were shared meals and helping hands. There were smiles and tears, understanding, and encouragement.
Fisher House housed officers and enlisted, people from many communities, backgrounds, and experiences. Here in the Fisher House, there was commonality, compassion, and care.
Fisher House says thank you for your service in a way that no medal or citation could say to all who served and were prepared to give their all. Some of us were drafted and some volunteered, but we all held up our hands and stepped up to the plate to serve our country. In this country we have different opinions and views, and in this country, we can have this; this is the reason that we served. I’ve been in countries where this is not true. So, I say I’m grateful for the honor and opportunity I was given to serve, and I say thank you to Fisher House for saying to us, veterans, and family “Thank you for your service” and “Welcome home.”
Story by Michelle Horn
Mikaela Miles has always wanted to fly, and now she flies every day. She starts her days early, but she says that once she is in the air and sees the sunrise, she knows it’s all worth it.
As a freshman at one of the top universities for pilots, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, Mikaela is pursuing a degree in aeronautical science. She hopes to serve in the Air Force upon graduation, but she has her sights set on her long-term goal as well.
“My main goal is definitely to be an airline pilot. I think it's just, like, the coolest job. Flying a plane is just an amazing thing to me,” said Mikaela. “Just being able to travel and say, ‘I flew a plane there and helped a bunch of people either see their families or go on their vacation. I helped them get to that destination.’”
Mikaela and her older sister, Ariana, grew up near San Diego, California, with her mom, Shirl, and her dad, retired Marine Tommie Miles. Her sister is going into a medical field like her mom, who is a nurse manager. Tommie retired from the military in 2000, but his service is still impacting his family through Fisher House Foundation’s Scholarships for Military Children.
Fisher House Foundation administers the Scholarships for Military Children program in partnership with the Defense Commissary Agency. The program was created to recognize the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community. The Foundation also sponsors the Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship for children of the fallen or service members who were seriously injured in the line of duty since 9/11 and provides a scholarship search engine that can be found at www.militaryscholar.org
Fisher House Foundation has awarded more than $23 million in scholarships since 2000. It helped more than 1,200 students achieve their educational goals in 2023-2024. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will open in mid-December.
“The scholarship really did mean a lot to me because at first we weren't even sure if I was going to be able to go to the school because it is pretty expensive,” Mikaela explained.
“This was another step to my goals. So yeah, it meant a lot to me,” she said.
Learn more about application deadline and find links to all the programs at www.fisherhouse.org/programs/scholarship-programs/
Fisher House Foundation awarded over $2.4 million in scholarships in 2022, helping more than 1,200 students achieve their educational goals.
Fisher House Foundation is privileged to have amazing managers at each Fisher House. These professionals do a wonderful job taking care of the families that call Fisher House “a home away from home.”
Vanniecia Brown received orders to the Military Entrance Processing Station as a senior classifier in St. Louis, Missouri, but she and her husband found a community in the city through service to veterans, being active in their church, and raising a family.
The community she found made her want to settle down and continue to serve. When Vanniecia hung up her uniform, she stepped into managing the Fisher House.
As a former personnel sailor, her approach to managing the house is centered around the person, around the guest. That starts with ensuring that every guest eligible to stay knows that Fisher House is an option. One way she does that is offering Fisher House tours and providing gift bags to social workers during new employee orientation.
“I want to make sure that the [social workers] know that they can refer people to the house. We give Fisher House swag bags so that they remember that we’re a resource. We look for ways to engage them, different ways to get the word out.”
Once the guest is in the house, Vanniecia also works to link them up with any other services they or their veteran may qualify for, especially when a caregiver is advocating for their patient. It reminds her of her years of working with Navy sailors and families.
“I see the exact same thing every day I’m in the house,” she said, “that they are just advocating for their veterans. So, I just want to be the resource for them, in a way, whether its medical, VA benefits, any kind of resource I can provide for them.”
She remembered a Vietnam veteran whose wife asked about help with benefits. The veteran had been denied a few times, decades ago, and had given up. The couple tried again with Vanniecia’s help. Between the VA’s policy changes over the years and having the help of a former admin sailor and VA employee, they were able to get a disability rating and free medical care for issues related to service.
Of course, Vanniecia isn’t on her own when it comes to supporting the families in the house. She’s also grateful to the local veteran service organizations that support her house and families, as well as volunteers who do work at the house or in the community.
“There are bigger groups like our local VFW and American Legion, but there are also locals who do all sorts of things for our families, as small as fly fishing or going hiking or white water rafting. So, I always take their pamphlets, take their business cards. I feel like I’m a liaison because I can find the families that would enjoy these different services.”
From donated meals to services, they make a big difference for the families.
Vanniecia also serves families through her church where she and her husband, also a veteran, lead the marriage ministry. As parents of three grown children, two sons and a daughter, the couple has a lot to share with other families. They work with other couples in the church to share the vision that a marriage is a journey of two people growing to oneness.
“We do life groups for eight to ten-week sessions. We get people who have been together 30 years, two years, eight years. David and I have been married for 31 years and have three wonderful children. We enjoy spending time as a family. Sometimes family time includes volunteering at the Fisher House. Family is important to us, and we want to ensure our guests know that it is our pleasure to serve or support them during their time of need.”
We always love to check in and see what Fisher Houses have been up to. Here, we outline a few highlights from houses around the world, submitted by the Fisher House managers.
JBER HOSPITAL
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
We truly enjoy all opportunities to have a celebration at AKFH, but birthdays are extra special. When a family is staying during this occasion, and they share the opportunity to commemorate with us, then we can’t help but capture Adler turning the big 4!
Camp Pendleton
As we began looking forward to a bright new year, five incredible women from Millennium Health offered a clearer view, deep cleaning the property in September with the deepest of hearts. Though resilient and lush all year long, the scattered pine needles were no match for their determination to make a difference. Their smiles were more than enough to keep families full of hope, but their time and efforts outside of busy schedules were truly heartfelt. Thank you for making Fisher House Camp Pendleton a warm, welcoming “home away from home” when it’s needed most.
Travis Air Force Base
Travis Fisher House celebrated Christmas with their families and had surprise guests: Mr. and Mrs. Claus! They even passed out presents and read A Christmas Carol
SAN DIEGO
San Diego
In August, the Sea N’ Air Women's Golf Club (SNAWGC) hosted its annual Fisher House San Diego Golf Invitational. With the theme of “Pride and True: Red, White, and Blue,” members and their guests raised $5,400 in monetary donations and $1,200 in gift cards to support Fisher House San Diego. In addition, the tournament raised $7,000 in taxdeductible donations to support Fisher House Southern California. SNAWGC truly showcased their pride for military families with a grand total donation of $13,600 to support our San Diego houses!!
Palo Alto
United Rentals, a longtime supporter of our Fisher House through meals for our families, asked to put up Christmas lights on our exterior this year. It was the first year we had outside lights, and they looked beautiful thanks to the volunteers who drove three hours each way to put them up and take them down. They’ve offered to do it again next year, and we and our guests look forward to it!
Aurora
The Colorado Avalanche, Colorado’s NHL Team, won the Stanley Cup for the third time and brought it to the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center to share with the veterans and their family members. Upon hearing the news of the visit, the Fisher House sprang into action, recruiting all the hockey fans staying at the house. On a very warm July 4th, the Manager took her hockey fan guests to see the cup and get pictures with star defenseman Erik Johnson (#6) and Coach Jared Bednar. Pictures and autographs were aplenty, and everyone
had a great time…the hospital even arranged for their veterans to be there too.
Eglin Air Force Base
Marine Corps Maj. John Haynes, who served for 30 years as an enlisted Marine, then warrant officer, and then commissioned officer, visited our house and our families in October. He shared inspiring stories from living in the Great Depression, joining during World War II at just 15 years old, and serving his fellow veterans post-retirement.
Tampa
Volunteers with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 8108 visited the Tampa Fisher House with meals for the families staying there. They’re best known for their annual holiday feast. They sent this special thank you to the Fisher House. We look forward to many more years of this supportive partnership!
at the Fort Gordon Army Fisher House. Ms. Brooke Rhoden with Walton Rehab, Encompass Health delivered the gift baskets. Ms. Rhoden got a briefing and tour of the Fort Gordon Army Fisher House and received an Army Fisher House coin from Ms. Cathy Bonham, Fort Gordon Army Fisher House staff. Thank you to the Walton Rehab, Encompass Health team for your generous support.
Honolulu
For Thanksgiving, Thelma (far right) celebrated her birthday by sharing floral aloha with our valued Army Fisher House guests. She and her friend rearranged all her birthday flowers into eight individual arrangements (there are eight suites), each urging people to always remember the goal is “to heal and go home.” House guests selected their personal favorites to brighten their rooms.
Gordon
Thanks to the members of Walton Rehab, Encompass Health for choosing the Fort Gordon Army Fisher House as a charity to support over the holiday season. On December 21, they made and delivered gift baskets full of goodies to the families
Hines
Hines Fisher House was honored to receive our first batch of Miracle Quilts (99 quilts!) since the start of COVID.
Carole Carroll, Miracle Quilts founder, drove from Oxford, Michigan all the way to Hines Fisher House near Chicago, Illinois to bring these beautiful quilts for our veterans and their families to cherish. Miracle Quilts was formed in March 2009 to honor the service and sacrifice of PFC Joseph A. Miracle from Ortonville, Michigan who lost his life in Afghanistan on July 5, 2007. Volunteers make these amazing pieces of quilted comfort. Carole has been driving to Hines Fisher House on a yearly basis to deliver these amazing quilts and we appreciate all her dedication to honoring our veteran families. Our families truly recognize all the love and attention that go into Miracle Quilts and the life that it honors.
Group, Fort Campbell Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Soldier Readiness Processing, and the Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club.
Augusta
The VA Maine Fisher House is celebrating providing over 2,500 Lodging Nights offered to veterans and family members of Maine and beyond! It has been a privilege to host each and every one of you. We have eaten, laughed, and cried together. You continually inspire and motivate us to raise the bar and make this beautiful home better than it was yesterday. Our respect for our veterans never waivers and our admiration for caregivers increases every time we see the love and devotion you pour into your loved ones. Our daily goal is to simply improve the veteran and family experience — one stay at a time.
Silver Spring
The Fort Campbell Army Fisher House had its first ever “Adopt a Room for the Holidays” and it was a huge success. The Fort Campbell Army Fisher House is thankful to these local organizations that adopted guest rooms by decorating and leaving treats and games for our guests. Thank you to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Soldier & Family Readiness
On January 4, a new flooring project for the Walter Reed Army Fisher House at Forest Glen was completed. Many thanks go out to our volunteers who helped clear the rooms and other areas for the installation. We are also very grateful to the Fisher House Foundation as we partnered with them on this amazing upgrade. The Walter Reed Army Fisher House at Forest Glen Annex is the Army’s first Fisher House; now we have a fresh look for our military families in need.
Minneapolis
Air Force veterans Susan and Robert Higgins went to Wisconsin to visit their daughter who, coincidentally, toured the Milwaukee VA Fisher House. On the day Susan was supposed to depart, she suddenly fell ill and received a lifechanging cancer diagnosis. Susan’s social worker referred Bob to the Fisher House where he stayed as Susan went from the emergency department to the intensive care unit to her eventual discharge. The family thanked the house staff for their care and comfort and are grateful the house will be here for their follow-up visits.
North Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Fisher House was the recipient of the “3-Degree Guarantee!” for the month of November 2022. Local
News 3 Weather Authority Team predicts the next day’s temperature and if they are within 3 degrees, $100 will be donated to a local charity by Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing of Las Vegas. Bill Bellis, chief meteorologist for LV News 3, broadcasted the weather and the check presentation from the house December 23. Pictured: Stephanie Wheeler, Fisher House manager; Bill Bellis; and Duncan Goodrich, Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing of Las Vegas.
Fort Bragg
The Fort Bragg Army Fisher House received these hand-made Christmas cards from the students at Albritton Middle School. The students wanted all our Fort Bragg Army Fisher House guests to know they were loved, not alone, and very much appreciated.
and Paul the very best. They are greatly missed by all, especially homemade lasagna and cookies that brought us all together.
The American Legion Post 543 graciously purchased golf cart enclosure replacements for the Camp Lejeune Fisher House. These enclosures keep our staff, guests, and the golf carts themselves protected in inclement weather. The donation is such a blessing! Caring for our families has many elements and American Legion Post 543 really delivered on one of the big ones!
Joint Base San Antonio
Connor Reich and his father, Paul Reich, stayed at the JBSA Army Fisher Houses for approximately three months. Connor Reich is an amputee that was receiving therapy at the Center for Intrepid. Paul and Connor became part of the Army Fisher House family and were instrumental in helping others. Paul’s remedy was home-made lasagna and chocolate chip cookies. He ensured everyone got to enjoy them and spend time together.
We are so happy when our families get to check out and return home, but at the same time we miss seeing them around the Fisher House. We here at the JBSA Army Fisher House wish Connor
Fort Hood
Ms. Rebecca Valenzuela has actively been the Fort Hood Army Fisher House volunteer coordinator for the last two years. Her dedication in advocating for Fort Hood Army Fisher House has been remarkable. Amongst her many talents, Ms. Rebecca has a gift for transforming cardboard into masterpieces. Every year brings a different work of art. This past holiday season, guests enjoyed the exquisitely detailed gingerbread house used to decorate the kitchen. Her creativity and love for families always makes our residents feel at home.
Fort Bliss
Giyani was one of the many babies that was in the NICU. The Fort Bliss Army Fisher House was able to gift her with “Josh,” the therapeutic dog. Now, a year later, the dog is her best friend.
the pantry with supplies. This group of retired military families has given compassionate support to our military families since 2008. We have seen the children in this group grow from kids to adults. We send all our love and blessings to the group’s organizer Mrs. Ann Severance, for she is a true Fisher House angel.
Portsmouth
The Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority, Inc. Hampton Roads Southside Chapter, composed of veterans, reported just before Christmas with a very large donation of nonperishables, paper goods, and cleaning supplies donated to Fisher House Portsmouth. They came up with a special 12 Days of Christmas song to go along with them, and they sang it for our guests. Our families were so excited and thankful for the experience.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Huntington
We’re grateful for the chance to serve all our families, but it’s a rare pleasure when you can serve the family that your medical center is named for. This note came to us from the family of Hershel “Woody” Williams, a Marine and World War II Medal of Honor recipient. We hope that all our families know how much we care about them.
Fort Belvoir
The Army Fisher House at Fort Belvoir would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the group “Friends of the Army Fisher Houses in the NCR” from Clifton, Virginia for adorning the house with Christmas decorations and filling
Tom Tinsley, a volunteer with the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fisher House, received a rare honor from Delta and the Seattle Seahawks. Their Community Captain program honors individuals and groups who make a difference in the community. Tom, a retired Army military police officer, volunteered over 1,000 hours since 2016. The grandfather welcomes families and helps maintain the house for the guests.
Lexington VA Health Care System
Lexington, Kentucky
Kentucky received its first Fisher House supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs in October 2022. The 16-suite Lexington Fisher House will provide “a home away from home” for about 500 families each year and is expected to save families more than a half million dollars in lodging and transportation costs annually.
Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center Columbia, South Carolina
The Columbia, South Carolina Fisher House is the second Fisher House in the state. This 16-suite Fisher House will support military and veteran families receiving care at the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Center, giving them a safe, comfortable place to stay so they can focus on their care.
Last fall, Fisher House Foundation celebrated the dedication of the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System’s Fisher House in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Southeast Veterans Health Care System’s Fisher House in New Orleans, Louisiana Both dedication ceremonies were delayed because of the pandemic.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (second house)
Bay Pines, Florida
New Orleans, Louisiana
Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Columbia, Missouri
The following projects are currently in design.
• Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center
Atlanta, Georgia
• Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
North Chicago, Illinois
• John D. Dingell VA Medical Center
Detroit, Michigan
• Hospital de Veteranos (VA Caribbean Healthcare System)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center
Memphis, Tennessee
• Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
San Antonio, Texas
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System VA Ann Arbor Healthcare SystemALASKA
Joint Base
Elmendorf-Richardson Hospital (907) 222-1673
Manager: Theresa Nedrow theresa.nedrow.2@us.af.mil
ARIZONA
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Tucson
(520) 838-3680
Manager: Kelly Laurich arizona.fisherhouse@va.gov
CALIFORNIA
David Grant USAF Medical Center
Travis Air Force Base (707) 423-7550
Manager: Ivana Jordovic ivana.jordovic@us.af.mil
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (760) 763-5308
Manager: Vicky Powell-Johnson victoria.powell-john@usmc.mil
Naval Medical Center San Diego (619) 532-9055
Manager: Tiana Babcock tiana.n.babcock.naf@health.mil
VA Long Beach Healthcare System (562) 826-5016
Manager: Yolanda White yolanda.white2@va.gov
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (310) 268-4457
Manager: Erma Mickens erma.mickens@va.gov
VA Palo Alto Health Care System (650) 493-5000 x60384
Manager: Tracy Marino tracy.marino@va.gov
COLORADO
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Aurora (720) 723-7683
Manager: Khristie Barker VHAECHFisherHouse@va.gov
VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven (203) 937-3438
Manager: Amanda Salthouse amanda.salthouse@va.gov
Fisher House for Families of the Fallen Dover Air Force Base (302) 922-1900
Manager: MSgt Kayla Hemmesch kayla.hemmesch@us.af.mil
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington DC VA Medical Center (202) 745-2482
Acting Manager: Jeffery Bozeman jeffery.bozeman@va.gov
FLORIDA
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (727) 319-1350
Manager: Shentrela Diggins shentrela.diggins@va.gov
Eglin Air Force Base Hospital (850) 883-2865
Manager: Robert Campbell robert.campbell.67@us.af.mil
James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Tampa (813) 910-3000
Manager: Sean Kelly sean.kelly2@va.gov
Miami VA Healthcare System (305) 575-7260
Manager: Richie Sanchez lerrichiad.sanchez@va.gov
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Gainesville (352) 548-6492
Manager: Clay Perdue stephen.perdue@va.gov
Orlando VA Medical Center (407) 631-9800
Manager: George Denby george.denby@va.gov
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (561) 422-5554
Manager: Shelley Prickett shelley.prickett2@va.gov
GEORGIA
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Augusta (706) 729-5773
Manager: Courtney Deese courtney.deese@va.gov
Eisenhower Army Medical Center Fort Gordon (706) 787-7100
Manager: Francisco Cruz francisco.cruz10.naf@health.mil
HAWAII
Tripler Army Medical Center Honolulu (808) 433-1291 x28
Manager: Misty Hironaka misty.n.hironaka.naf@health.mil
ILLINOIS
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital Hines (708) 202-7154
Manager: Holly Wright holly.wright@va.gov
KENTUCKY
Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Fort Campbell (270) 798-8330
Manager: Wendy Carlston wendy.j.carlston.naf@health.mil
Franklin R. Sousley VAHCS
Lexington (859) 281-3825
Manager: Michael Neville michael.neville@va.gov
LOUISIANA
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
New Orleans (504) 507-6020
Manager: Debra Ceaser-Winbush debra.ceaser-winbush@va.gov
MAINE
VA Maine Healthcare System
Augusta (207) 623-8411 x7052
Manager: Patrick Crowley patrick.crowley@va.gov
MARYLAND
Malcolm Grow Clinics & Surgery Center
Joint Base Andrews (301) 981-1243
Manager: Abe Gutierrez jbandrewsfisherhouse@gmail.com
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda (301) 857-9494
Manager: Michael Ybarra mybarra@fisherhousebethesda.org
Walter Reed Army Fisher House at Forest Glen Annex Silver Spring (301) 319-5442
Manager: Maurice Borde maurice.borde.naf@army.mil
MASSACHUSETTS
VA Boston Healthcare System (857) 203-4000
Manager: Elizabeth St. Pierre elizabeth.stpierre@va.gov
MICHIGAN
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (734) 845-3055
Manager: April LaRock april.larock@va.gov
MINNESOTA
Minneapolis VA
Health Care System (612) 467-5602
Manager: Kimberly Bihm kimberly.bihm@va.gov
MISSISSIPPI
Keesler Medical Center (228) 377-8264
Manager: Marc Ambrose marc.ambrose@us.af.mil
VA St. Louis Health Care System (314) 894-6145
Manager: Vanniecia Brown vanniecia.brown@va.gov
NEBRASKA
VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System
Omaha (402) 930-7116
Manager: Miles Brown miles.brown1@va.gov
NEVADA
VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System North Las Vegas (702) 224-6789
Manager: Stephanie Jo Wheeler stephanie.wheeler4@va.gov
NEW MEXICO
Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center
Albuquerque (505) 265-1711 x3180
Acting Manager: Christopher Kent abqfisherhouse@va.gov
NEW YORK
Albany Stratton VA Medical Center (518) 626-6919
Manager: Michael Horning michael.horning@va.gov
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
Bronx
(718) 584-9000 x2037 or x2039
Manager: Ellen Trbovich ellen.trbovich@va.gov
NORTH CAROLINA
Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune (910) 450-3885
Manager: Josie Cotton josephine.cotton@usmc.mil
Womack Army Medical Center Fort Bragg (910) 849-3466
Manager: John Miller john.e.miller306.naf@health.mil
OHIO
Cincinnati VA Medical Center (513) 475-6571
Manager: Karrie Hagan karrie.hagan@va.gov
Dayton VA Medical Center (937) 268-6511 x2887
Manager: Betsey Striebel betsey.striebel@va.gov
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center 216-707-4807 x 24805
Manager: Wesley Freeman wesley.freeman@va.gov
OREGON
VA Portland Health Care System
(360) 567-4647
Acting Manager: Dawn Schultz dawn.schultz2@va.gov
PENNSYLVANIA
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
(412) 360-2030
Manager: Heather Frantz heather.frantz@va.gov
SOUTH CAROLINA
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston (843) 805-8200
Manager: Erik Zielinski erik.zielinski@va.gov
Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center
Columbia (803) 776-4000 ext.57260
Manager: Candler Rhodes candler.rhodes@va.gov
TENNESSEE
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
Murfreesboro (615) 225-5758
Manager: Becky Wood rebecca.wood4@va.gov
TEXAS
Brooke Army Medical Center
Joint Base San Antonio (210) 916-6000
Manager: Robyn Stewart rrobyn.m.stewart.naf@health.mil
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
Fort Hood (254) 286-7927
Manager: Candice Ualesi candice.t.ualesi.naf@health.mil
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston (713) 794-7766
Manager: Tamara Brunjes tamara.Brunjes1@va.gov
South Texas Veterans Health Care System
San Antonio (210) 617-5542
Acting Manager: Douglas Dickson douglas.dickson@va.gov
VA North Texas Health Care System
Dallas (214) 857-4400
Manager: Lydia Henderson lydia.henderson1@va.gov
Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical CenterSan Antonio Military Medical Center
Lackland Air Force Base (210) 671-6037
William Beaumont Army Medical Center
Fort Bliss
(915) 742-1860
Manager: Alice Coleman alice.m.coleman2.naf@health.mil
UTAH
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System (801) 588-5900
Acting Manager: Heather Dunnigan qheather.dunnigan@va.gov
VIRGINIA
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (703) 805-5203
Manager: Tyana Monette tyana.m.monette2.naf@health.mil
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (757) 953-6889
Manager: Jill Thompson jill.thompson@portsmouthfisherhouse.org
Richmond VA Medical Center Richmond (804) 675-6639
Manager: Wayne Walker wayne.walker@va.gov
WASHINGTON
Madigan Army Medical Center Joint Base Lewis-McChord (253) 967-5198
Manager: Vattana Garcia vattana.garcia.naf@health.mil
VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle (206) 768-5353
Manager: Mark Debenport mark.debenport@va.gov
WEST VIRGINIA
Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center Huntington (304) 429-8700
Manager: Jason Wyant jason.wyant@va.gov
WISCONSIN
Zablocki VA Medical Center Milwaukee (414) 384-2000 x44570
Manager: Jennifer Kiefer jennifer.kiefer@va.gov
GERMANY
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center 011-49-6371-9464-7430 fax: 011-49-6371-866679
Manager: Sarafina Buchanan sarafina.n.buchanan.naf@health.mil
UNITED KINGDOM
MISSOURI
Kansas City VA Medical Center (816) 714-8697
Manager: Michael Peters micheal.peters@va.gov
Wright-Patterson Medical Center (937) 257-0855
(Assistant) Manager: Diyor Nishanov Isfandiyor.nishanov@us.af.mil
Manager: Philip Harralson philip.harralson@us.af.mil
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham 0121-472-6217 fax: 0121-41306897
Manager: Patrick Hogan vs.fisherhouseuk@ssafa.org.uk
For more than 30 years, the Fisher House program has helped families stay with loved ones receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers, because we believe “A family’s love is good medicine.” These homes provide free, temporary lodging to military and veteran families so they can be close to their loved ones during medical crises.
Since
