Elmendorf officials to open Fisher House

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) --  Airmen here will take the first big step in building a haven for their wounded brethren when the groundbreaking for the Fisher House of Alaska takes place May 15.

The groundbreaking ceremony is going to be held in concert with the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Anchorage Veteran Affairs Outpatient Clinic and Regional Office.

It is fitting that both ceremonies would be held on the same day, said Lt. Col. Andrea Vinyard, the 3rd Wing Fisher House point of contact and commander of the 3rd Medical Support Squadron. In addition to being located next to each other, personnel from both organizations will be working hand-in-hand.

"The groundbreaking is going to be a fairly significant day for us," Colonel Vinyard said. "It is an incredible project to be a part of."

Fisher House is an organization that provides lodging for patients and families of patients hospitalized at military medical centers. The lodging is either very inexpensive or free. There are now Fisher Houses all across the United States since the first one opened in 1993. The Fisher House here will be the first one built in the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility.

The foundation was started by Zachary Fisher, a prominent real estate figure and philanthropist. A leg injury barred him from serving in World War II, but he spent the rest of his life giving back to the military. The Fisher House program was created when he learned of people forced to sleep in their cars because they couldn't afford hotel lodging to be near their hospitalized loved ones.

"It will be a great place for our wounded warriors and their families to relax and make themselves comfortable while they are recuperating here either at the base hospital or getting care in the local community," Colonel Vinyard said.

The colonel said approximately 115,000 Defense Department beneficiaries and their families, located all across Alaska, will be eligible to use the Fisher House here.  As part of her work as the Fisher House POC, the colonel visited Fisher Houses in Virginia and Texas. She said she was impressed with what she saw.

"I think it is a fantastic program," Colonel Vinyard said.  "One of the things I was overwhelmed with is the (number) of volunteers who came out to help."

She said that it wasn't just military members and base residents volunteering to help. Local community groups of all types pitched in to help as well.

"They were all giving something back to those who have given to us and helped keep us free.

Colonel Vinyard said that there are no firm dates for when construction will be complete on this Fisher House. She said that construction will be heavy on the house all summer and that the estimated completion date is approximately 12-18 months after the groundbreaking.