Fisher House Dedicated at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Fisher House Dedicated at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

02.17.12

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON AND FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION DEDICATE
NEW FISHER HOUSE
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First Fisher House in Alaska Joins More Than 50 Others Worldwide

Anchorage, AK [February 17, 2012] – Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton A. Schwartz joined Fisher House Foundation Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher here to dedicate the newest Fisher House, serving the Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense joint venture medical facility at Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson.

“We’re thrilled to dedicate this Fisher House – the first in Alaska – that will serve this community’s needs,” Fisher said. “Military families here in Alaska make great sacrifices and travel great distances to support their
service members. Now they have a safe and welcoming place to support their loved one when dealing with a medical crisis.”

The 10,000 sq-ft. “comfort home” will join the network of more than 50 Fisher Houses operating in the United States and Germany, and was gifted to the Air Force as part of the ceremony. The house consists of 12 suites, each with a private, handicapped-accessible bathroom, and common areas including a well-
appointed kitchen; large communal living, dining and family rooms; and patio. The home was designed pecifically for Alaska’s extreme temperatures, with heated sidewalks.

“It is our service members and their families who make our military great, and the Fisher House Foundation is dedicated to supporting these wonderful Americans,” Schwartz said. “This new Alaska facility is but the latest example of that commitment, and we are very appreciative of both the foundation and the donors who contribute to these worthy endeavors.”

“We are thrilled to have a Fisher House on JBER, and we are extremely grateful for the incredible generosity and graciousness of the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Foundation,” said Air Force Col. Robert Evans, 673d Air Base Wing and JBER commander. “Their overwhelming support to military communities, over many years, has made an enormous difference in the lives of so many of our families during the most difficult times. Their generosity is evident in this beautifully appointed Fisher House; every detail is perfect. The warmth of their love will be felt by all who stay here.”

“This is another example of the incredible patriotism and generosity of Ken Fisher and the Fisher House Foundation,” said Alex Spector, Director, Alaska VA Healthcare System. “This home will help in the healing process and provide a warm surrounding for families of Veterans and Service Members from all over
Alaska.”

Construction of this Fisher House was supported by TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund, Bill O’Reilly and ‘The Factor’, Newman’s Own Foundation, and Motorola Foundation.