Air Force Fisher House Managers Support Warrior Games Compiled and Photos by Ashley Estill
The 2018 Warrior Games were hosted by the Air Force and held at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The games are not only an inspiration to the athletes and families, but to our Air Force Fisher House managers who were there to help. We asked some of the managers what it meant to be there. Here are their responses. At the Dover Fisher House, with its special mission, we only see families at their
This is an amazing event, and I’m so happy and grateful to be part of Warrior Games.
most devastating time. [The Fisher House at Dover AFB is where families stay when
Being here, talking to the families and athletes, is wonderful and means a lot to me.
their loved one makes the ultimate sacrifice.] It’s nice seeing the other side of things at Warrior Games. I see the service members and their families, and how they’ve
— Ivana Jordovic Manager of the Fisher House at David Grant USAF Medical Center, Calif.
overcome their injuries with their families by their side. They’ve made it.
— Tech. Sgt. Dorothy Whitfield Manager of Fisher House for Families of the Fallen at Dover AFB, Del. Coming to the Warrior Games gives us satisfaction to see wounded warriors moving on in their lives. Their families are involved, and Fisher House was part of the healing process. Adaptive sports is one of the best things these warriors can do. Children are seeing their dads or moms coming back from war, wounded— but now they’re in the healing stage and they’re together. Being together — that’s the healing process.
— Larry Vetter Manager of the Fisher House at Keesler Medical Center in Biloxi, Miss. It’s great to be here working for the families who come into the Fisher House. They’re in a much better place now, and we get to see how far they’ve come. They’ve always been strong; it’s just a better time for them now.
— Marc Ambrose Manager of the Fisher House at Eglin Air Force Hospital, Fla. Photos: Throughout the week Air Force Fisher House managers helped out during each exciting event, ensuring families had a wonderful time. 16
THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 2 • 2018
This has been a celebration. Seeing the athletic achievements of these warriors at the top of their game is amazing.
— Karen Healea Manager of the Fisher House at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Ohio