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Saying yes to care

Second Fisher House dedicated

Joan Shalikashvili, wife of former Chief of Staff and Gen. John Shalikashvili, cuts the ribbon opening Fisher House II. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

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Yes is better than no.

"This is amazing; this building was built with love," said Jodi Land, Fisher House manager at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"It is wonderful that a lot of individuals donated their money to help others in their time of need; we can say "yes" and not "no" to those families who need to be close to loved ones receiving care at the Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC).

With rain moving horizontally in sheets, the JBLM community came together Nov. 17 to cut a ribbon and thus dedicate the new Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fisher House II.

Welcoming families to the new Fisher House is a bust of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, the founders of the Fisher House Program. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

"This is a place where people can find refuge," said Col. Michael Place, MAMC commander.

The first Fisher House opened on JBLM in 1992 in an area that originally contained the Madigan General Hospital.

Over the past dozen years and with the increase of servicemembers and veterans requiring medical care at MAMC, a second house became a necessity.  

"Healing doesn't always happen in a hospital; some of it happens in a home away from home for the servicemember's family," continued Place.

The new Fisher House is located on MAMC's main campus, within walking distance of the entrance to the medical mall.

Established by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, the Fisher House program serves over 20,000 military families per year.

"We recognize the noble deeds of those who wear or have worn the uniform of our country," said David Coker, president, Fisher House Foundation.

The newest facility will provide lodging for families of servicemembers and veterans at no cost.

The new house is dedicated in memory of Gen. John Shalikashvili, the 13th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a former trustee of the Fisher House Foundation, and a staunch advocate for the second Fisher House.

The reality of his vision is grand.

The 12-suite, 10,000 plus square foot "comfort home" joins the other 65 Fisher Houses operating in the United States and Europe.

The Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee.  Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans' families an estimated $282 million in costs for lodging and transportation.

"This is a home away from home," explained Mary Considine, a Fisher House Foundation member.

Each bedroom suite is equipped with a private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom.  Common areas include a spacious kitchen, large communal living, dining and family rooms, a laundry facility, a children's playroom and a patio.

Fisher House II cost $6 million.  

In addition to donations from Americans across the country, construction of JBLM's Fisher House II was supported by Delta Air Lines, listeners of KIRO radio, 710 ESPN Seattle, AM 770 KTTH, MyNorthWest.com, Friends of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House, Motorola Solutions Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

"It's a privilege to expand our support in this region with another Fisher House," said Coker.

"We serve one family at a time."

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