The Patriot: Fall 2026 by Fisher House Foundation

2026 VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2

PATRIOT THE

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION, INC. TM

fisherhouse.org

Love, Faith, and the Strength to Stand Again Guam family flies 22 hours for sister (Story featured on page 2)

Coast Guard family, stroke survivor thrives (Story featured on page 11)

Scholarship recipient pays it forward in Maine (Story featured on page 24)

COVER STORY (Featured on page 14)

Contents Guest Family Profile: The Spears Family

Meet the Manager

Meet the Staff

Hero Miles

From Guatemala to an Open Door and Renewed Hope

The Healing Power of Family at the Warrior Games

Fisher House Salutes

A Coast Guardsman's Fight to Hold His Son Again

Fisher House Volunteers Photo Spread

Cover Story: Love, Faith, and the Strength to Stand Again

America 250 Celebration Across the Nation

Day In the Life 2026 Photo Contest

Hearts In the Community

Journal Entries & Letters

Community Groups In Action

Fisher House Scholarship Recipient

In Their Own Words

House Round Up

Ways to Give This Holiday Season

Construction Updates

Location Guide

About Fisher House Foundation, Inc. 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 20 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 $690 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 Program

BY THE NUMBERS 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 fisherhouse.org Cover Photo: Cover photo by David Nye, Fisher House

$690 MILLION

Savings for families in lodging and transportation costs

13.4 MILLION

Days of lodging offered

570,000 Families served

101 Fisher Houses in operation The statistics in this graphic reflect the Fisher House program’s impact since inception. The statistics in this graphic reflect the Fisher House program’s impact since inception.

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.

LETTER FROM KEN FISHER Dear Friends, This has been an important year for our country. As America marks its 250th birthday, we are reminded of the generations who have stepped forward to defend it. This year also marked 25 years since September 11, 2001, a day that changed our nation and began a new era of service and sacrifice. For a quarter century, military families have carried the weight of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many families we serve today are part of that legacy. Others continue to face the consequences of conflicts around the world, including families of those most recently injured or killed in the Middle East. Our responsibility to them, and veterans of all eras, continues. We must also remember that not every wound is visible. Too many service members, veterans, and military family members struggle with the hidden wounds of war. We are working with dedicated partners to help prevent suicide and remind them that they are not alone. At the same time, we continue building for the future. This year, we dedicated a new Fisher House in Montrose, New York. Houses are under construction in West Palm Beach and Pittsburgh, with more planned for Madison, Perry Point, Asheville, San Juan, and Fargo. Each house is a promise that when a medical crisis comes, families will have a place to stay and the strength that comes from being together. The needs of our military and veteran community will continue to change. Our commitment will not. Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Fisher Chairman and CEO, Fisher House Foundation linkedin.com/in/ken-fisher-fhf/

CHARITY RATINGS A+ 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 four 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 22nd consecutive year, a rating achieved by less than 1% of the charities in the country that it monitors. Fisher House Foundation earned the 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by Candid, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information.

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GUEST FAMILY PROFILE

Guamanian sister flies 22 hours to support long-time cancer fighter

Story and Photos by David Nye

The Spears family has fought cancer for generations. Sisters Judy Spears and Janet Taimanglo have lost multiple siblings and their mother to the disease. Now, her family is willing to fly a full day from Guam to Maryland to support Judy in her fifth decade of fighting cancer.

to fight slow-growth non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and then a mastectomy to defeat breast cancer. The family has supported Judy each time, with all six of her siblings even volunteering to donate bone marrow to her in one fight, though none of them turned out to be a match.

“We’ve been here before for her,” Janet said. “It’s worth the flight. I don’t want any regrets. We’ve lost too many siblings, and our mom, and I don’t want any regrets.”

Now, Judy’s going though a long course of daily radiation and chemotherapy that wreaks havoc on the body.

Judy has defeated cancer three times and is looking good for a fourth victory. She had an outpatient procedure in 1982 to remove cervical cancer, a rushed flight just before Christmas 1991 from Germany to Walter Reed Army Medical Center

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This fight is hard for family reasons, too, since Judy’s husband, an Army veteran, passed in 2016, so it’s all the more important to her to have her family from Guam.

On opposite page and bottom left: Judy Spears, in the light shirt, poses with her sister Janet Taimanglo and brother-in-law Melvin Cruz at the Walter Reed Forest Glen Army Fisher House in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Janet’s husband Melvin Cruz came with Janet, despite the long travel time.

“Not everyone can have that. So we cook chicken, ribs, a little fish, and we make potato salad.”

“Yes, 22 hours of air time,” said Melvin. He has quickly become a supporter of the Fisher House program that has made him, Janet, and Judy all more comfortable despite the climate differences for him and Janet, and Judy’s daily treatments sapping her strength.

“We’re the Fisher House meeters, we do the meet and greet. When someone new comes and the manager isn’t here, we give them the tour. We show new families the cupboards, the fridges, where they can store food, find coffee, all of that, where the laundry is,” Melvin said.

“The people of Guam need this,” Melvin said. “When I go home, I will tell everyone, ‘Research Fisher House. Stay there if you can, if you need it.’”

Their eagerness to help has led to other guests seeking them out.

The Fisher House allows them all to focus on Judy, and Janet goes with her on every hospital visit and is looking forward to Judy ringing the bell that signals the end of her treatments. “I have a video of her every day,” Janet said. “We’re going to make a scrapbook for her.” The family’s first focus every day is on Judy, though they also try to give back to the house and the community within it. “We try to clean up, water the plants, cook for ourselves, and make extra for other people,” Janet said.

“Another guest, he couldn’t figure out how to do the laundry,” Janet said. “The dryer was beeping and he couldn’t figure it out, so he came and got us and it was just that the door wasn’t completely closed, it was beeping, so we went in and took care of it.”

“

“We have to be careful, think about the other people here when we cook, because we like our food really spicy,” said Melvin.

Since this interview, Judy has completed her course of treatment and is recovering.

We’re the Fisher House meeters, we do the meet and greet. When someone new comes and the manager isn’t here, we give them the tour.

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MEET THE MANAGER FISHER HOUSE

Wendy Carlston

MANAGERS

Fort Cambell Fisher House

Story by David Nye

Despite being the daughter of a Marine veteran, Wendy Carlston knew little about the military lifestyle until 1991 when she met a young soldier in northwest Ohio, home on leave after Desert Storm. “We actually met at a bar,” Wendy said. “So, back in those days I was on a pool league with some friends of mine. We shot pool for a bar called The Log Cabin, a country bar out in the middle of nowhere,” Wendy said. That’s where she met John, whom she married the following year. She remembers him wearing his “birth-control glasses” and brown Army t-shirt. “He was hunched over the pool table, he had his nose all scrunched up, holding up his glasses, and he was getting ready to take a shot. I noticed my teammate, Marie, grinning at me; I knew the look and said, ‘Don’t be trying to fix me up!’” John had to return to duty in Germany two months later, after leave and a stint as a hometown recruiter. He committed to dating Wendy even as Wendy thought they’d likely never see each other again. Thirty-five years later, they live with a pointer mutt named Charlie. Their daughter recently earned her master’s, married, and works as a therapist in Ohio. It was during more than 20 years as a military spouse that Wendy volunteered on bases and became part of the Fisher House program. “It started with PCSing to Fort Campbell. I got acclimated to the new area after being here for a few months, went to the installation volunteer office at Army Community Service and said, ‘What kind of volunteer jobs do you have available on post?’” Wendy started volunteering at the Fort Campbell Army Fisher House in September 2006, just a few months after the house admitted its first guest in May of that year. “And I was only here a couple of months, and then the housekeeper gave notice just before the holidays. And Vivian, the manager then, said, ‘Would you be interested in a paid job?’”

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Wendy took the position, but in 2009, Vivian recommended her for a much larger role. “When she came home that May, she said, ‘I’m going to Germany and you’re going to take my job.’” When the applications opened, Wendy did, in fact, apply for and receive the job. She was glad to get the offer since she wasn’t sure she could work for a new manager. “I said, ‘Well, it really came down to, I don’t think I could work for anybody else because when you learn under the first, nobody else is going to do it right.’” More than 20 years, Wendy has served families at the Fort Campbell house, through most of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, peacetime, and now through emerging conflicts. She’s given some thought to her life after the Fisher House, but she keeps putting off retirement to serve military and veteran families a little longer. She almost retired when the house recently underwent a remodel. “I thought I was ready,” she said. “And then we reopened and guests started coming back in the house. And they reminded me why I’m here. And I thought, ‘I’m not ready to retire. I’m not ready to leave the Fisher House yet.’”

MEET THE STAFF 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.

Juli Rigg e s of C Vice Pre omm s unit ident Roc y Re kvil latio le, M ns aryl and

Julie Riggs

Vice President of Community Relations “I am a military brat,” said Julie Riggs, Vice President of Community Relations. “My father served 23 years in the Navy and retired when I was in early high school. And then I met my husband, and he was also in the Navy. I became a military spouse and he retired, also after 27 years.” When she and her husband Kurt married, she traveled with him from Naples, Italy to Alexandria, Virginia and started her nonprofit career. “I actually started out at the National Military Family Association in 2007, and I worked with the Operation Purple Camp program. And that was wonderful. I got to travel all around the country and see kids who were going to camp with other military kids and who were learning some tools and resources.” As Kurt received PCS orders, Julie would find a new nonprofit to work for; Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Diego where she helped serve nearby military families, and then the USO near Washington, D.C. “And I got to help open the Walter Reed Warrior and Family Center for the USO,” she said. “And that's where I discovered the Fisher House, the five Fisher Houses at Walter Reed, Bethesda, Maryland,

were right up the street from where our offices were with the USO. Oftentimes, the volunteers who volunteered at the USO would also be volunteers with the Fisher House. Julie and the rest of the staff at the USO would deliver excess food donations to the house and invite Fisher House guests to holiday celebrations every year. Now, she and her staff support all the Fisher Houses and the community groups. “We have sort of a portfolio of stuff that we support. Primarily, we support the houses and the people who support the houses,” she said.

The lifetime of experiences as a military family has helped keep the family close, even as Julie has gotten more busy and the twins moved away. “I do attribute our closeness as a family to the fact that my kids were raised in a military family because, from a very young age, they were put together as companions and friends when we would be PCSing across the country,” she said. “Now, even though my husband’s been out for three years now, we still value our road trips as a family. We come together, and we hang out, and we play cards at the picnic table.”

The Community Relations team also administers the Foundation’s scholarship programs and Fisher Service Award grant program. Julie jokes that her busy job helps distract her from the now-empty nest that she and her retired husband share. “I have two children who are twins and who are in college. They just started their sophomore year in college,” she said. “So home life is quieter than it used to be, which is great because I travel so much for Fisher House.” THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2 • 2026

DAUGHTER SPENDS HER FATHER’S FINAL DAYS AT ARIZONA FISHER HOUSE Story by David Nye

Wendy Vazquez has spent some of the worst days of her life at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Fisher House. Her father, a former Army medic, suffered a fall that exacerbated his liver issues, which was especially tragic as he was close to the top of the list for a transplant. “He’d tell me what number he was on the list,” Wendy said. “He said he was number four, and we were getting really close to him getting the treatment he needed. Then, out of nowhere, it just tanked, completely tanked. I was getting phone calls from the hospital and I was so confused. Come to find out, he had fallen at his house, and he lived alone.” Wendy rushed the two hours from her home to the Tucson VA Medical Center in Arizona. “I came down here not knowing what to expect, but I had only planned on staying like a day or two,” she said. “When I got here, I visited him and I actually slept in the parking lot. The first day that I was here, I spent all day with him talking to doctors, kind of trying to wrap my head around what was going on. But he had fallen and he was unconscious and he was on a ventilator and the whole nine yards.” Wendy took a nap in her car the first night, but the nurses pointed her to the Fisher House that next morning. “So I was here for a month and a half,” she said. “I stayed, and my family, my husband, and my mom really helped out with my kids back home. And I stayed here the whole time. It saved me so much money.” Her father’s condition degraded quickly. “It was an emotional rollercoaster,” Wendy said. “I came through this place crying almost every day. I was crying, not knowing what to do. I was here by myself. Then they 6

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A family photo shows Wendy Vazquez, top middle, and her brother Jonathan, sister Kaloni, mother Donna, and father Paul.

told me that they had taken him off the transplant list and that was a knife to the heart.” The Fisher House staff in Tucson, led by Mike Ramsey and Gus Soto, worked to make sure that Wendy could focus on her father and on the tough decisions she faced. “They fed me, they asked what drinks or snacks I wanted. They offered me a Walmart gift card. I felt like I lived with my parents again. It was kind of nice.” Those niceties made a tragic time a little easier, but her father’s liver and kidneys ultimately failed. “I’d never planned for anything like this before, so it really helped me out,” she said. “They helped me get my brother out from Ohio.” The Fisher House was a huge comfort in some of Wendy’s worst days. “I spent quite a bit of time here, and I wrote quite the novel in their little journal,” she said.

From Guatemala to an Open Door and Renewed Hope Story by Michelle Horn

Former Navy submariner Patrick Richard was in Guatemala on April 1, 2014, studying to improve his Spanish language skills. He decided to find someone to practice with, so he stopped at a coffee shop that he frequented. Minutes later, Karina walked in. She was trying to find one of the many foreigners around to help her practice English for her job and was making her last stop of the day. “When I entered, he was sitting there, and as soon as I saw him, I said, ‘Oh my God, what an interesting man!’” explained Karina. The conversation went so well that the couple married in the same café about a year and a half later. After several years, Karina and Patrick decided to move to the United States and after trying a few different cities, found Manhattan, New York suited them best. They stayed for two years before deciding to go back to Guatemala to be with her family. Then, in 2025, Patrick began having medical issues that brought him back stateside for care. “On February 14 at 3 a.m., my husband began to feel very bad,” said Karina. The couple learned that Patrick was having problems with his heart and decided to come back to the VA in Manhattan for treatment. When they first arrived, they could only afford a hotel that didn’t have air conditioning. They also felt unsafe. “I remember how much I was crying because I couldn’t sleep and my husband was in the hospital and after he was discharged from the hospital, they said he needed other kinds of tests because they found a spot in his lung. And all of this required more time staying in Manhattan, but we didn't have more resources,” Karina

recalled. “We began to pay Airbnb and then this Airbnb couldn’t give us more time, and we didn’t have anywhere to go.” During this uncertain time, Karina felt hopeless. Patrick was told that he needed more medical tests and she wanted to be by his side. She had reached a point where she felt homeless and alone. “And then someone said, ‘There is a Fisher House in The Bronx. I will give you the number.’ And that was when Patrick called and they said we could come here and... Oh my God, this was a blessing for us,” she said. After his treatment, the Richards were able to return home, but had to come back for checkups. During their latest visit, they reminisced about spending time in the backyard. “We had a picnic in the grass last summer when we were here, a real picnic and all the birds were around because there’s a lot of trees,” said Patrick. They also shared about the peacefulness in the house and the community of family that forms within. “It’s like a family here and you can see that you are not the only ones who are in a place waiting for tests and results,” said Karina. “There were so many people listening and really helping us.”

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2026 FAMILY PROGRAM

The Healing Power of Family at the Warrior Games Story by Michelle Horn

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brett Meil was a combat instructor teaching infantry skills to new recruits on June 23, 2023. Just 11 days earlier, he’d married his wife, Madison. Tragedy struck that day as Brett saved a new recruit who was about to be injured by a live grenade. Brett took the bulk of the impact, leading to shrapnel injuries and a severe traumatic brain injury. After healing, he went back to training and received a second TBI. He was then sent to the U.S. Marine Corps recovery unit, Wounded Warrior West. “From there I’ve actually been able to recover and focus on my health and my family's health,” he shared. “Having my wife support me through all of that has been the only reason why I’m still here today.” After being selected to represent the Marine Corps in the 2026 Warrior Games, Brett was thrilled to learn his family could be there to cheer him on. His wife Madison and young son Brixton traveled from Camp Pendleton, California and joined him as part of the Warrior Games Family Program in San Antonio, Texas. Held annually, the Warrior Games is an adaptive sporting event where injured or ill service members compete with their service teams and showcase their resilience and physical rehabilitation journey.

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During the games, competitors and their families have access to the Healing Hut. Part of the Warrior Games Family Program, the Healing Hut is a welcoming space where volunteer wellness professionals offer a variety of complementary therapies designed to help military service members, veterans, and their families relax, recharge, and reduce stress. Some services offered include massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, light therapy, salt therapy, vibroacoustic beds, and other wellness techniques that promote relaxation and overall well-being in a calming environment. The entire family has been able to take advantage of the resources provided by the Healing Hut. Madison shared that Brett had some recovery care done and, after a rough first night of sleep, one of the physical therapists worked on her neck, and it felt better almost immediately. They also received diet advice for their son’s eczema and a calming therapy to help him with overstimulation, both treatments the parents think improved his experience. “The Healing Hut services have been awesome. The first or second day that everybody was here, we went in and slept on the beds, and my son just fell asleep on my chest and passed out,” said Brett.

During the games, Brett competed in powerlifting, track and field, and seated volleyball, medaling in all with a gold in powerlifting. “It’s been wonderful. I think the way that the event has been structured, it definitely creates that competitive mindset of like collegiate, professional in its own way, which is super cool,” Brett said. “Having them here to support me has been the best part about this experience for me as they have lots of energy. They’ve supported me from day one after my accident,” Brett continued. “Playing volleyball, I had a really big kill, and I looked over and I saw my wife cheering and seeing my son just go crazy. It was phenomenal.” Fisher House Foundation has sponsored the Warrior Games Family Program since 2011, creating a space where families can celebrate how far they have come on their healing journey. “What makes the Warrior Games so meaningful isn’t just the competition. It’s the resilience, camaraderie, and community built throughout the week,” said Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. “Adaptive sports have the power to help athletes regain confidence, reconnect with others, and continue moving forward after injury.” Previous Page, Top: Staff Sgt. Brett Meil competes in the 2026 Warrior Games in San Antonio, Texas in June. Top left to bottom right: The Meil Family enjoys time at the Warrior Games Family Program Hospitality. Top and bottom right: The Meil Family poses courtside during the Games.

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FISHER HOUSE SALUTES Military service members, veterans, and their families are supported by countless organizations that acknowledge their sacrifices. We feature a top-tier organization each issue.

FISHER HOUSE JOINS FACE THE FIGHT AGAINST VETERAN SUICIDE Story by David Nye

Face the Fight is working with more than 300 partners to fight the veteran suicide crisis. They have been doing the work, including researching prevention methods and advocating for their implementation, since 2023, and now Fisher House has joined them. Fisher House has always believed that a family’s love is good medicine. One of the major benefits of Fisher Houses is that they allow families and friends to focus on their patients so the patients can focus on getting better. Both groups can then take care of their needs with a smaller toll on their mental health. “Fisher House has long understood that healing begins with family, connection, and the comfort of knowing someone is by your side. That shared commitment is one of the many reasons Face the Fight is proud to call Fisher House a partner. Together, we’re working toward a future where every service member, veteran, family member, and caregiver feels seen, supported, and never alone,” said Babs Chase, Executive Director, Face the Fight Coalition. But even with nearly 600,000 families served since 1991, Fisher Houses alone cannot reach all of the veterans who sometimes find themselves in a mental health crisis. Face the Fight is working to reduce veteran suicides to zero with data-driven, proven strategies. Since 2023, Face the Fight estimates it has impacted more than 1.4 million people through programs it has funded. According to its 2025 annual report, it has “more than $41 million invested in suicide prevention efforts, including over 1.05 million suicide risk screenings, 252,000 lethal means safety conversations and 113,000 veterans receiving suicide-specific treatment.”

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Even with Face the Fight’s successes, though, the mission remains urgent. The most recent veteran suicide data from the VA covers 2023, when 6,398 veterans lost the fight to suicide. “More than 300 organizations have come together through Face the Fight because no single organization can solve this challenge alone,” said Babs. Learn more about Face the Fight at wefacethefight.org. Above: A Face the Fight promotional image illustrates veterans helping each other in tough times.

A Coast Guardsman's Fight to Hold His Son Again Story by Cameron Hill Photos by Fisher House and courtesy of Hamilton Family

As a machinery technician in the Coast Guard, William Hamilton III spent nine years making sure the boat got to those who needed saving. But when it came time for his own emergency, he had a hard time believing it. I knew what was up,” he says, “But I was being hardheaded.” He’d spent the evening at a Coast Guard gathering in Valdez, Alaska where he was feeling a little off, chalking it up to a bug he figured a nap could fix. When he woke and started for the stairs with his 6-month-old son in his arms, his left side simply stopped answering. “My fear was dropping my son down the stairs that day when everything was going wrong,” William said. “I was afraid I would never be able to pick him up again.” Emmeline, his wife, was away on drill when the call came, an ordinary day interrupted without warning. Her husband was on the phone telling her he’d had a stroke as she told herself the emotions would have to wait. “I had to instantly shut down the emotional part and just start getting into logistics,” she said.

Staying in Anchorage meant he had the right resources he needed with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and his family by his side every step of the way. “It’s not like you’re going to a resort and you drop your bags and go,” William said. “We could come there, we could breathe, we could relax, and just focus on us as a family. That’s the main part about Fisher House — it’s about family. Fisher House is family.” Theresa Nedrow is part of why it feels that way. She’s the manager at the Alaska Fisher House. “She always runs out to give us a hug,” William says. “She’s like sunshine.” In that hospital bed, William made himself a promise. “I made it a personal goal to be able to pick my boy up,” he said. “And to fight back as hard as I can to be a part of his life. That’s what I’ve done. He’s going to know that his dad is there for him no matter what.”

It was more than one person should have to carry alone, and she was about to find out she didn’t have to. Fisher House gave the Hamiltons a place to stay in Anchorage for the weeks William needed to recover. The alternative was driving five to six hours back to Valdez, through some of the most remote country in Alaska. “There are stretches on that drive where you lose signal completely,” William said. “You could be stuck for two hours with no signal. I didn’t want her in an emergency situation out there.”

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FISHER HOUSE VOLUNTEERS

Story by David Nye Photos courtesy of Fisher House managers

Volunteers serve as a beating heart in Fisher Houses, helping with cleaning, decorating, and more. Here are just a few of the groups making a difference. Clockwise from top left: Members of GE Aerospace pose with the Fisher House sign after a volunteer day at West Palm Beach Fisher House in Florida. A volunteer waters flowers at the Tripler Army Medical Center Fisher House in Hawaii. Volunteers prepare to serve food at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System Fisher House potluck. Kitchens are the centers of the homes. The Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast chapters of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. provided a holiday meal at the Tampa Bay VA Fisher House.

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Members of the Real Estate Board of New York Fellows Leadership Program volunteer at the Fisher House at the James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center in The Bronx, New York in June 2026. Volunteers from Progressive Insurance cook a barbecue and conduct landscaping at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center Fisher House in Michigan. Members of Progressive’s Military Network Employee Resource Group volunteer at many Fisher Houses across the country and fundraise for house shopping lists. Learn more in the Hearts in the Community piece on page 20. Employees of Beazer Homes volunteered at many Fisher House locations during their National Day of Service on March 20, 2026. The company holds the Day of Service annually and encourages employees to serve at Fisher House or other nonprofits across the country. A volunteer restocks drinks at Dover Air Force Base Fisher House for the Families of the Fallen in Delaware.

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COVER STORY

Love, Faith, and the STRENGTH to Stand Again

Story by Michelle Horn Photos by David Nye

James and Tammy McGruder have been married for 38 years. Both say that they are each other’s best friends and the loves of each other’s lives. They stood together throughout James’ Army career, where he served in the field artillery and retired as a sergeant major. Between enjoying their family and volunteering, the couple has been busy. For years, James has supported Fisher House Michigan and other organizations by sharing his rendition of the poem “Old Glory” during events. He is known for the way he inspires patriotism in others, often standing proudly before audiences to honor the American flag. But in 2025, James began experiencing moments of no feeling in his legs. “Something was wrong. We knew something was wrong. We just didn’t know what. So I was trying to push on through it,” explained James. “But we went to the hospital. They did a full body scan, and the full body scan showed the tumor.” James was diagnosed with cancer that had spread throughout his ribs, back, and spine, so he was sent in for immediate surgery. When he awoke, he had lost feeling in his legs, and doctors feared he would remain paralyzed. 14

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“He spent 31 days at Walter Reed and then 95 days at the Richmond VA. And that brings us to the Fisher House,” said Tammy. Tammy stayed at the Richmond Fisher House from June to September. During that time, she was by her husband’s bedside through surgeries and therapy. “It was the house that God has given us, because it allowed her to be with me and take care of me. I had some tough nights down there,” said James. “Fisher House was really a huge part of my recovery because my wife was and is a huge part of my recovery,” he continued. “She could stay there and care for me until I went to sleep, and in the morning, when I woke up, she had breakfast that she fixed for me in the Fisher House kitchen.” Tammy explained that Fisher House and the community within gave her strength to be there for her husband. “It’s like a therapy. There are other family members and their stories that could be worse than what you're going through,” she said. “We would share our stories. And if you felt like you’re alone, there was always someone to talk to.”

From Left, Previous Page: James and Tammy McGruder stand in front of the Richmond VA Fisher House. James and Tammy reunite with Fisher House Housekeeping Aid Don Willimason. The McGruders gaze at each other in front of the Fisher House. The McGruders pass the Fisher House flag in front of the comfort home. James McGruder visits with a VA healthcare worker outside of the Richmond VA Medical Center in Virginia.

Tammy befriended other guests who offered mutual encouragement and support and also extended that love to other veterans receiving care by bringing them watermelon or other treats and offering a listening ear. “They helped me get through the stressful moments. It kept my mind busy because I love to help people. Helping others, that’s what helped me get through,” she said. James and Tammy felt that their time at Fisher House was crucial for them both. Tammy explained that to be there for James, she needed to take care of herself. Within the Fisher House, she was able to get the rest she needed to return to the hospital each morning. “And I know a lot of families feel the same way. We can get up, sleep, go to the kitchen, prepare a meal, and bring gifts over, if necessary, but you have a level where we can sit and just enjoy the company there. Then you can go back to the hospital.” For James, having her by his side was necessary, but he also didn’t have to worry when she went to get some rest.

“It’s therapeutic for a veteran or patient, and a veteran like myself, knowing that my wife is in a good, stable place and safe,” he said. Tammy shared a story about a night when several guests gathered in the kitchen late in the evening to talk about their situations. The conversation brought her comfort and gave her the strength to keep going. “We ended the night and continued with our journey in the morning. That’s what we do. It's not just a house, it’s more like family.” With Tammy’s help and prayers, James regained feeling and, through hard work, grit, and lots of physical therapy, can walk again. As he continues his recovery journey, James remains optimistic. He gives back and inspires others. On a recent trip to the Richmond VA Medical Center, he couldn’t leave without stopping to visit the medical professionals who cared for him. He also couldn’t pass on the opportunity to share words of wisdom and faith with veterans who were receiving care at the Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Center.

THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2 • 2026

America

250

Fisher House Foundation is a proud partner of the American Sesquicentennial celebration America250. As part of the celebration of our Nation’s 250th anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we sent a new garden banner to every Fisher House to greet the military service members, veterans, and families who walk through our doors.

son ALASKA rf-Richard Elmendo e s a B t in Jo enter Medical C

SOUTH CAROLINA Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia

NEW YORK James J. Pet ers

VA Medical

Center, Bro nx

TEXAS VA North Texas Healt h Care System, Dalla s 16

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Celebration Across the Nation!

TEXAS San Antonio Military Medical Center, Lack land

Air Force Base

IS ILLINO r. Hines, J Edward es in H pital, VA Hos

NEBRASKA VA Nebrask a-Western Io wa Health Care System, Om aha

WISCON SIN Zablocki VA Medic al Center, M ilwaukee

MARYLAND Walter Reed Na tional Military Medical Center, Bethesda

HAWAII y Tripler Arm olulu nter, Hon e C l a ic d Me THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2 • 2026

DAY IN THE LIFE

2026 PHOTO CONTEST Each year the Foundation sponsors a “Day in the Life” photo contest to visually showcase the Fisher House mission. It’s often hard to describe the trials, camaraderie, and bonds formed, so we’ve reached out to the Fisher Houses to help show that through photos. Here, we highlight the winners.

1st PLACE

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center The Ombori family enjoys some fun with bubbles during the Beazer Day of Service volunteer event in March 2026. Forty volunteers provided lunch for families and a cleanup initiative to revitalize Bethesda Fisher House homes. The Ombori family’s stay culminated in a beautiful family moment captured in the front of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher’s bust.

2 RUNNER UP ND

Zablocki VA Medical Center Fisher House Wedding bells were ringing Wednesday, March 11 when Michael Farrington and Constance Anderson were married in the Milwaukee VA Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit. The couple held the special ceremony in the ICU so that Constance's brother Bobby Evans, a U.S. Marine veteran with deteriorating health in a nearby hospital bed, could come off his ventilator long enough to give her away.

3 RUNNER UP RD

Naval Medical Center San Diego Fisher House In July 2025, Isaac fell off his bike and crashed during a mission trip to Mexico. Isaac is a tough kid, and his parents knew that when he says he’s hurt, he really is. It took five hours to drive to San Diego where he learned he had a fracture extending almost the entire length of his femur. His mother Jennifer lovingly comforts Isaac after surgery.

4 RUNNER UP th

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army Fisher House Emily from the Red Cross spent time with guest families and led a fun wood burning activity. Families enjoyed creating unique keepsakes and express their creativity through these beautiful handmade pieces.

These are just the winners from our votes! There are more photo submissions on our website at fisherhouse.org. Do you think you have a great photo from your Fisher House stay? Photos taken between May 2026 and May 2027 are eligible for our next photo contest. Let your house manager know if you have a great shot that you’d like to share. 18

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HEARTS in the COMMUNITY Fisher House guest family turns into proud supporters Story by David Nye

Bill and Christine Marcum are proud supporters of Fisher House, sometimes donating and always spreading awareness of the Foundation, the houses, and their mission. But like many others, they learned about Fisher House in one of the worst moments of their life: when their son, Kyle, was badly injured in combat. Kyle was brought to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio after being injured in Afghanistan. Christine met with a case manager at the hospital who introduced her to the Fisher House. At the hospital in San Antonio, doctors worked on Kyle’s injuries, especially wounds to his right leg and foot.

Kyle worked hard to recover, even as his leg eventually required amputation, and then follow-on infections forced him to shorten the limb again. He met his future wife, Megan, in his rehabilitation program. “He trained hard and eventually, to our amazement, was declared fit for duty with no restrictions and deployed two more times,” Bill said. Now, the family continues to support Fisher House Foundation and Lilly, who became obsessed with her uncle’s prosthetics, is now studying at Carnegie Mellon University how to improve prosthetics for veterans and other disabled people.

“It was pretty obvious it was going to be a long-term thing,” Christine said. The family lived in Springfield, Missouri at the time, so travel and accommodations would have been an immediate problem if it weren’t for the nearby Fisher Houses. “All I could think of was his big open wound on his foot and all the external devices on him. So I went over to the Fisher House and appealed to them, ‘Please, I have to have a room here.’ I was in tears,” she said. Bill relied on his wife to take care of Kyle and keep him informed when he couldn’t be there. “For Christine, having a base in San Antonio, where the closest off-post lodging is probably a good 25-minute drive by the time you go through security and so on, being there on the campus across the street from the hospital was everything,” he said. The family also relied on Fisher House’s Hero Miles program to help other family members, like Kyle’s sister Alison and her one-year-old daughter Lily, come and visit him.

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HEARTS in the COMMUNITY Corporate & Foundation Giving

Corporate and Foundation Support: Insurance Story by David Nye

Progressive Insurance’s Employee Resource Groups’ members work together to support causes that are near and dear to them.

started a digital format and worked actively with 13 Fisher Houses, mostly in the east.”

One of those groups, the MILNET Group, the Military Network for employees with a military background, has been supporting Fisher House Foundation for 10 years, volunteering and fundraising for dozens of houses every year.

Whether it’s volunteering or fundraising, Progressive’s MILNET members want to make sure their efforts are targeted to each house.

MILNET originally had 15 nonprofits to choose from to support. “Fisher House quickly stood out from the rest because of its unwavering support for veterans and its profound impact on military families during some of the most challenging times in their lives,” Mark Condon, a former MILNET board member said. “When the votes were counted, Fisher House was the clear winner.” Progressive and its employees volunteer at houses across the country and fundraise for them, as well. “We have a lot of Fisher House locations that do events, sometimes more often than others, so we can make sure to involve people who want to be or who want to learn more,” said Sarah Staples, a current MILNET board member. “We had a unique opportunity brought to us by one of the Fisher Houses to help with a vehicle that would have Fisher House logos and everything, or we can help with more traditional stuff like maybe care packages or essential needs for inside the house.” On the essential needs front, Progressive helped speed the adoption of Amazon wishlists for the houses when they embraced fundraising for individual houses. “We had started doing an annual donation drive, and part of it was just doing a collection at offices. We had bins out, some awareness stuff, and said ‘Go to your local office and maybe drop off some donations,’” Sarah Mancini said. “And after COVID, when we were all at home, we

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“The key is seeing how we can build the relationship with each house individually, so all of our folks that work with Fisher Houses, whether its Tampa or Columbia or Cleveland, Palo Alto, wherever, that they’re in contact with the Fisher House staff, and we’re doing activities or engagements that actually benefit that house,” Mancini said. And Progressive does a lot of these targeted events. “In 2025, we held 30 events across 20 houses in 16 states,” she said. The company supports the volunteer events and even gives MILNET a budget of $50,000 to empower the volunteers and support the houses. That money, as well as money raised by the MILNET members, has gone to supplies for volunteer events and for replacing items in Fisher Houses, like mattresses, smart TVs, dinners, and more. “People are going through something pretty significant in their lives for them to use Fisher House, so it goes to just treating people the way you would want to be treated, the Golden Rule, which is one of our core values,” Mancini said.

Wishlist Giving That Feels Like Home In partnership with For families staying at a Fisher House, the comforts of home can make a tough time easier. Guests are comforted by the stocked kitchen, fresh linens, household essentials, and everyday supplies so they can focus on the care of their loved one. Now, there is an easy way to help provide those comforts directly. Thanks to the support of Amazon, Fisher House Foundation’s new online Wishlist program gives donors a simple way to purchase items that individual Fisher Houses need most. Powered by Mindful Giving and connected with Amazon Business behind the scenes, the program provides a streamlined experience for donors that is tailored specifically to Fisher House. You can browse Wishlists created for each individual Fisher House and purchase items selected by the manager, the person who knows their house, and the families who stay there. From nourishing snacks and favorite coffee creamers to cleaning supplies, each list reflects the needs of that individual Fisher House. The process is simple. Visit www.fisherhouse.org/programs/houses/ then select the Fisher House you would like to support, choose an item, and complete your purchase. The item is then shipped directly to the house. For donors, it is a tangible way to see exactly how their generosity can help. For Fisher House managers, it provides a familiar and efficient way to keep their houses stocked with the items that help make each stay feel more like home. Every Fisher House serves families with different needs, and those needs can change throughout the year. The Wishlist program gives supporters the opportunity to respond directly, whether that means sending a box of coffee, replacing a much-used kitchen item, or helping restock the toilet paper and tissues in each bathroom.

Please scan the QR Code above to get more information.

It is just one more way the Fisher House community can come together to make each Fisher House feel more like home. THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2 • 2026

JOURNAL ENTRIES & LETTERS Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska “ The Alaska F isher House crew are hands-down a mazing. They make you feel like fa mily — no, they are fa mily. Their attitude makes the houses feel like home and anyone staying there immediately feels connected to them and to one another. "

Palo Alto, California “ This is my 8th day at the F isher House. I can’t say how many great things have happened while being here. The staff is awesome! The other residents have been caring. I’m very grateful for being able to stay on such a short notice. My husband was told on a Wednesday to come from Nevada on Sunday to have open heart surgery on Tuesday. Without everyone’s help here at Palo Alto, we are not sure that we would have made it for the surgery. Thank you, all!!"

Kansas City, Missouri “ Wow! The love, genuineness, caring, and compassion you are welcomed with and treated with is their truth. Staff are meticulous, genuine, delightful in caring for us, and meet us where we are. They are here to love and serve. This home is a genuine godsend, and this staff are God’s angels."

Las Vegas, Nevada “ What a blessing to have found you all (everyone here at the F isher House). No words for the love and heartfelt help you all extended to my fa mily and I. We did not have to ask for anything. Y ou all took us to whatever we needed and on my arrival after sharing my story and telling Brian that I had no fa mily here, I'm from California, he said, ‘We are your fa mily!’”

Lackland Air Force Base, Texas “ It has truly been an a mazing stay. While staying at the F isher House ll, I experienced some peace in this house while going through my mental health treatment. This place really made a difference. Tonight is my last night here, and I’m truly sad to leave.”

Huntington, West Virginia “What started out as a common procedure turned into a life-threatening situation that no one was expecting. I live an hour and a half away from the Hershel “Woody” Willia ms VAMC and could not have been here for my fa mily as easily without the kindness shown by those who extended the invitation to stay here. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness from the entire staff here at the house and I will never be able to repay you for what you have done. As we all know, a large part of recovery depends on the mental state of the patient, and we could not have afforded to be the support system he needed without you. Please know your kindness is as much part of his recovery as is his healthcare tea m. From the deepest part of my heart, Thank you."

Milwaukee, Wisconsin “ Thank you for allowing me to stay here. I arrived Thursday to see my father who served in Vietna m. He was dying of heart disease. After meeting with the tea m of doctors in the morning, they informed me there was nothing more that could be done. I made the hard decision to take him off machines. He passed on Tuesday at 6:44 p.m. … The F isher House allowed me those last six days with my dad. I didn’t know places like this existed, and I a m beyond grateful F isher House gave me a safe place to sleep, eat, and cry. Thank you for all you do.”

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COMMUNITY GROUPS MEET THE STAFF

IN ACTION

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. Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound

Since the summer of 2025, the Young Men’s Service League – Seattle Chapter has been volunteering with the Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound by helping with garden maintenance as well as preparing meals for guests of the Fisher House, coordinated by Friends of Fisher House Puget Sound Executive Director Elizabeth Wirasnik. Members of YMSL are moms and their teenage sons who volunteer together to serve their local communities during the sons’ four years of high school. YMSL is grateful for the opportunities to serve with the Fisher House and is looking forward to more volunteer events this year.

Greater Cleveland Fisher House

On September 13, a group of local veterans hosted a Scavenger Hunt from the Black Forest Pub in South Euclid, Ohio. Teams wore fun headgear based on their group theme and headed into Cleveland to hunt for the designated items. Challenges included documenting: one of the six Cleveland script signs, an accordion, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, a VFW sign, their team spelling YMCA in front of a YMCA, and even a live chicken. Images were then displayed on the pub’s TVs, creating an energetic and engaging atmosphere throughout the duration.

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Home is Wherever the Bear Is Story by Rachel Hill

Ask Liliana Hogan where she’s from, and she'll skip the question almost entirely. “I tend to give the fun fact that I was actually born in Germany, on a military base abroad,” she says. “It gets people’s attention.” Liliana’s father has served in the Army for 23 years, longer than she’s been alive, and by her count, she’s lived in seven or eight states, on top of a childhood stretch overseas. Her family eventually settled in Maine where her father plans to retire. “I’ve never really thought of home as the building or house I’m living in at the time,” she says. “It really is my family.” Liliana watched her father deploy more than once. Her family marked those departures with a tradition: before he left, he’d record a message inside a Build-A-Bear. Liliana still has hers. “I would usually end up killing the audio from playing it too many times,” she laughs, “but I still have my original bear.” That constant motion shaped her. “It forces you to be really outgoing, really used to making friends, and knowing it’s not necessarily a permanent situation,” she says. Liliana graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in political science, concentrating in international relations and comparative politics. It wasn’t a path with an obvious next step, and she knew it.

Paying for that degree took its own kind of persistence. Liliana applied for Fisher House’s Scholarships for Military Children three separate years, writing a new essay each time, before finally being selected. She credits her mother for keeping her in the fight. “My mother gets the praise,” she says. “That persistence has never not benefited me at some point, in some way.”

result is you get a lot out of that, whether or not you get the scholarship.” For Liliana, the bear from her father’s last deployment sits somewhere safe, the recorded message long since worn out. Its reminder, however, that love and persistence can lead you toward success, is something she will carry with her always.

Watching friends graduate into loan payments while she was able to focus on her job search without debt, she says, gave her “immeasurable gratitude.” That gratitude is already circling back. Liliana recently accepted a position with AmeriCorps VISTA, joining Maine’s Ending Hunger Corps, where she’ll help connect residents to SNAP and healthcare benefits they're eligible for. “It feels really meaningful,” she says, “because I got so much assistance managing life’s burdens. I’m legitimately paying it forward.” Beyond this year, she’s weighing a career in nonprofit communications with a pull towards the Foreign Service, a natural extension, she says, of a childhood built on crossing borders and cultures. Her advice to other military kids eyeing the scholarship is simple, and hard-won: apply anyway. “Just because you don’t get one opportunity doesn’t mean there’s not funding out there for you,” she says. “Being open to whatever the

Fisher House Foundation awarded over $4.6 million in scholarships in 2026, helping more than 2,300 students achieve their educational goals.

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IN THEIR OWN WORDS Gold Star wife Tabitha Farmer remembers traveling to the Dover Fisher House with her children after the death of her husband, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Farmer

“My children and I will always be grateful for the Fisher House.” Jon and I met through his cousin Carl who was my best friend in high school. The first time I met Jon, I was smitten. We started dating in August 2006 and married in July 2007. Jon enlisted into the U.S. Army after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. His oldest brother graduated from West Point, and watching his older brother in the military had a big impact on Jon. He graduated from Bowdoin College and then joined the Army in 2005 under a program to become a Green Beret. As an active-duty wife stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, I became familiar with the mission of the Fisher House. My understanding was that the Fisher House was for active-duty service members, retirees, veterans and their families who must travel away from home to receive medical care. I participated in the Family Readiness Group where spouses would take turns volunteering to provide desserts to those staying at the Fisher House. Then we had the unimaginable, heartbreaking honor staying at the Dover Fisher House while waiting for Jon, along with Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, Navy Seal (Retired) Scotty Wirtz, and interpreter Ghadir Taher’s return to America after an ISIS suicide bomber murdered them. I went from volunteering for the Fisher House to needing the Fisher House. I remember it being a cold, dark, and raining evening when our van pulled up from the airport. It was holding mine and Jon’s four babies, my parents, and my sister. But the rain and late hour did not stop the soldiers from lining up outside to honor our loss. We walked in and were immediately welcomed with open arms then quickly shuffled to our rooms which ended up being a whole wing of the house. I remember the beds were covered in toys for the kids. I especially remember a big, red, toy motorized truck that my youngest son, who had just turned four-years-old, was over the moon excited about playing with. It was a welcome distraction to hear him giggling in the hallway while the big red truck would bang along the hallway walls. When I ask my children about their memories of the Fisher House at Dover, they remember playing the Lego Batman videogame with them as well as the huge kitchen with two refrigerators filled to the brim with anything you could want. It was honestly the hardest days of my life. I was completely lost and full of so much grief. At one point that evening, I walked into the kitchen where I found Ghadir’s dad standing there, filled with so much grief over losing his baby girl. He looked up at me and just came over and hugged me. We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. My children and I will always be grateful for the Fisher House. It is such a beautiful refuge to be at when your whole world seems like it is falling apart.

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HOUSE ROUNDUP 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.

ALASKA

Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson Medical Center

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

“It is the year of TWINS at Alaska Fisher House.” Several different twin moose have been visiting AKFH this season alongside the special delivery that took place over Memorial Day weekend on AKFH grounds. Not only do we have twins amongst our outside guests, but we are extremely thrilled to have an expansion within the AKFH team as Baby Mateo and Baby Lucus arrived in June 2026.

Naval Medical Center San Diego San Diego

Fisher House San Diego had the honor of hosting Mrs. Donna Caudle, Navy Ombudsman-at-Large and Chief of Naval Operations Spouse, for a tour of our “home away from home.” Mrs. Caudle’s focus is to connect ships and sailors with their families and promote family readiness, which is considered essential to operational readiness.

David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center

Travis Air Force Base

Every family who walks through our door at Travis Fisher House leaves with a story. Before many begins their next chapter, they stop by this chalkboard to leave a few words behind. In moments of uncertainty, these simple words become a quiet reminder that no one walks this journey alone.

CALIFORNIA

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Camp Pendleton

Eight dedicated volunteers from the North County Chief Petty Officer’s Association recently rolled up their sleeves to give back to military families. The volunteer team meticulously cleaned the patio furniture and railings, swept walkways, and power-washed the house, ensuring the outdoor living spaces were ready for families to relax.

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GEORGIA

Eisenhower Army Medical Center Fort Gordon

The Fort Gordon Army Fisher House recently received a thoughtful non‑monetary donation from a former Fisher House family. The Whitehead Family, including Philadelphia Winn, a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, returned to express their gratitude and presented a heartfelt thank‑you card in appreciation for the support they received during their stay.

HAWAII

Tripler Army Medical Center Honolulu

The Tripler Army Fisher House celebrated with gratitude on its 32nd anniversary, celebrated on June 6, 2026. Since opening in 1994, the house has provided comfort and lodging to countless military families. During this year’s celebration, Chaplain Capt. Krysta Piper offered a heartfelt blessing over the meal and guests as the Fisher House community honored its legacy of care and the warmth that carries us into the season ahead.

MARYLAND

MICHIGAN

MISSOURI

Malcolm Grow Clinics & Surgery Center

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

VA Kansas City Health Care System

Things move fast here at JBA, and our house has had a phenomenal season of community partnership! We’ve been blessed with incredible support from organizations like Miter Brands, The Peterson Companies | National Harbor, Beazer Homes, United 4 Veterans, and many more. Managing this high level of community engagement takes a truly dedicated team, and our secret weapon is our extraordinary volunteer, Ms. Lennette Nesbitt. Lennette's selfless commitment, from mentoring new volunteers to managing VIP tours, ensures our doors stay open and our families receive absolute excellence. We’re so proud of the community we are building here at JBA!

We love to celebrate important milestones with our families here at the Fisher House, whether it be a birthday, retirement, or anniversary. Danny and Jacquie Tipton were recent guests with us on Jacquie’s birthday and we also found out that Danny’s birthday was soon to follow, so we celebrated them both. One of our volunteers made a special dessert and we provided each guest with a gift bag and birthday card from our staff.

Ms. Kansas is an active-duty service member who has completed two tours overseas. She also loves to volunteer at Fisher House and somehow still finds time to purchase groceries for the guests.

Joint Base Andrews

Ann Arbor

Kansas City

MISSISSIPPI

Walter Reed Army Fisher House at Forest Glen Annex Silver Spring

Walter Reed Army Fisher House at Forest Glen marked a heartwarming milestone this fall as one of its guests completed her cancer treatment and rang the bell at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Surrounded by her family and uplifted by the Fisher House community, her triumph captured the spirit of resilience and gratitude that defines the season. Moments like these highlight the power of a compassionate support network and the meaningful role the Fisher House plays in helping families navigate some of life’s most challenging journeys. (Learn more about Judy Spears on page 2)

Keesler Medical Center Keesler Air Force Base

Edward Bonner and his wife have been frequent, returning guests for four years. Edward is a double amputee Vietnam veteran. They are foster parents of 10 children and down to earth as you can get. Every visit, Willie is in the kitchen and cooking and baking for every guest in both houses many nights of the week. They both enjoy welcoming the many guests coming through to the Keesler Fisher House.

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HOUSE ROUNDUP TEXAS

Brooke Army Medical Center San Antonio

Joint Base San Antonio Army Fisher House was recently honored to receive a heartfelt donation from the Bulverde Methodist Church community. After preparing an abundance of flood buckets for the Kerrville flood response, the parish chose to share their surplus with the families we support. Their generosity brought an unexpected blessing to our doorstep and reflects the remarkable compassion within their congregation.

Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Lackland Fisher House staff volunteered at the 2026 Warrior Games. Nearly all the Lackland Fisher House Staff volunteered and or directly supported the Warrior Games while in San Antonio. The staff truly enjoyed supporting the athletes and their families, helped events run smoothly, and witnessed incredible moments of perseverance and teamwork.

On May 9, 2026, the Salty Dawgs Motorcycle Riding Club held its Annual Poker Run in support of the Portsmouth Fisher House. This was a very special Run as it celebrated 20 years of continuous support for this House. The Salty Dawgs, local vendors, and other motorcycle riding clubs came together to be a part of this momentous occasion. A live auction, silent auctions, bike shows, and gun raffles were some of ways the day was celebrated. So much love, fun, and tears were in the air as they honored, celebrated, and shared personal experiences with the Fisher House program. Their hands, hearts, and feet to the ground in the planning and executing of this 20th year celebration was second to none. The Salty Dawgs exceeded their own expectations and raised an all-time high of over $34,000 in support of the Portsmouth Fisher House. From our hearts to yours, the Portsmouth Fisher House thanks you for being a piece of the woven fabric that keeps us caring and servicing our active duty, retirees, and Veterans who have served. We You!

Lackland Air Force Base

VIRGINIA

Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Fort Belvoir

William Beaumont Army Medical Center Fort Bliss

The Fort Bliss Army Fisher House had the privilege of hosting a longterm guest throughout their recovery following surgery. During their stay, they consistently exemplified kindness, gratitude, and a spirit of service. Not only did they warmly engage with staff and fellow guests each day, but they also went out of their way to support the home, most notably by taking the initiative to proudly display the Fisher House flag in the yard.

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At the Fort Belvoir Army Fisher House, something special happens when families gather in the kitchen. Recipes become memories, neighbors become friends, and healing is shared around the table with plenty of good food and laughter.

Portsmouth

WASHINGTON

Madigan Army Medical Center

Joint Base Lewis-McChord

This season, at the Joint Base Lewis McChord Army Fisher House, we highlight the remarkable journey of a family who traveled from Samoa in April so Mom could receive medical treatment. During their stay, their daughter Seta stepped into the role of primary caregiver with strength and grace. While balancing a full college course load, she prepared nutritious meals, walked her mother to and from appointments, and made sure every step of the treatment plan was completed. Rain or shine, Seta and her mom made the daily walk from the Fisher House to Madigan, moving together with determination, care, and unwavering support. We were honored to celebrate Seta during their time with us and to

recognize the resilience she demonstrated each day. Now that treatment has been successfully completed, Dad has flown in from Samoa to accompany them home. As they prepare to return, their journey stands as a powerful reflection of the hope, healing, and strength we witness every day at Fisher House.

GERMANY

Landstuhl Army Medical Center Landstuhl

At the Landstuhl Army Fisher House, the living room is more than a shared space. It is where strangers become a community. Recently, two families who had never met found themselves spending an afternoon there, each navigating their own medical journey. What started as quiet company gradually grew into conversation, laughter, and the kind of unspoken understanding only military families truly share. In that room, the weight of waiting felt lighter because someone else understood. Though far from home, these families found connection through their service, their sacrifice, and each other. For them, the Landstuhl Army Fisher House wasn’t just a place to stay, it was the bridge that brought them together when they needed it most.

WISCONSIN

Zablocki VA Medical Center Milwaukee

Girl Scout Troop 1475 created a sensory garden for the Milwaukee VA Fisher House as part of their monthly Sunshine Projects. They selected plants that smell good, attract visitors, offer pleasing colors, or have interesting textures and arranged them in custom-made pots to give the space new life.

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Ways to Give This Holiday Season

As you begin to think about gifts this holiday season, here are a few ways to support military families:

Fundraisers: Create a

Tribute: Make a donation in

Join Zach’s Club: Become

Stocks: We gladly accept gifts of stocks and securities. For more information, please visit fisherhouse.org/stocks.

Qualified Charitable Distribution: Speak with

Frequent Flyer Miles and Hotel Points: Help wounded,

fundraiser at fisherhouse.org/ fundraise or set up a fundraiser on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitch.

ZACH’S CLUB

a monthly donor and honor Zachary Fisher’s legacy at fisherhouse.org/zach.

your advisor to see if you qualify to donate from your IRA. Gifts may help you meet your required minimum distribution.

Leave a Legacy: Remember

military families in your estate plans by listing Fisher House Foundation, Inc. as a beneficiary in your retirement assets. Visit fisherhouse.org/legacy.

honor of a loved one, and Fisher House will send a special message to your honoree.

injured, or ill service members with their continued recovery with donated airline miles and hotel reward points, allowing them to travel or stay in hotels when a Fisher House is full.

Donate a Vehicle: Get rid of an unwanted vehicle, boat, or plane— running or not—and help military families. Visit fisherhouse.org/cars for an alternative to selling or trading.

Donor-Advised Funds:

Help military and veteran families through your donor-advised fund.

THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 17 16 • ISSUE 2 • 2026 2025

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES OPENING CELEBRATIONS AND DEDICATIONS Franklin Delano Roosevelt VA Hospital Montrose, New York A new Fisher House was dedicated in Montrose, New York. This new Fisher House will support families receiving medical care at the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System. It has 12 suites and will offer savings to veteran families of more than $700,000 annually.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center (Replacement House) West Palm Beach, Florida Construction is underway on a replacement Fisher House in West Palm Beach, Florida. This Fisher House was one of the original houses that did not include an elevator. The new house will be wheelchair accessible, providing better access for families receiving care and will double the capacity from eight suites to 16.

Please scan the QR Code to learn more and donate.

H. John Heinz III Department of VA Medical Center (Second House) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania A second Fisher House is under construction in Pittsburgh, increasing capacity from 10 suites to 26. This new house will give more families a warm and comforting space to stay, at no cost, while their loved ones are receiving medical care.

DOWN RANGE CONSTRUCTION The following projects are currently in design. • Perry Point VA Medical Center Perry Point, Maryland • Charles George VA Medical Center Asheville, North Carolina • Fargo VA Medical Center Fargo, North Dakota • Hospital de Veteranos (VA Caribbean Healthcare System) San Juan, Puerto Rico • William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans' Hospital Madison, Wisconsin

THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2 • 2026

LOCATION GUIDE

Army email addresses have changed in 2026. Please go to www.fisherhouse.org for the most up-to-date information.

ALASKA

DELAWARE

ILLINOIS

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Hospital (907) 222-1673 Manager: Theresa Nedrow theresa.nedrow.2@us.af.mil

Fisher House for Families of the Fallen Dover Air Force Base (302) 363-2523 Manager: Jonathan Hicks jonathan.hicks.9@us.af.mil

Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital Hines (708) 202-7154 Manager: Holly Wright holly.wright@va.gov

ARIZONA

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Tucson (520) 838-3680 Manager: Mike Ramsey michael.ramsey2@va.gov

Washington DC VA Medical Center

Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center North Chicago (224) 610-7401 Manager: Kim Skorupa kimberly.skorupa@va.gov

ARKANSAS Central Arkansas VA Health Care System Little Rock (501) 274-6610 Manager: John Swayze john.swayze@va.gov

CALIFORNIA

(202) 745-2482 Manager: Jami Henderson jami.henderson@va.gov

FLORIDA Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (727) 319-1350 Manager: Shentrela Diggins vhabayfisherhouseteam@va.gov Eglin Air Force Base Hospital (850) 883-2865 Manager: Robert Campbell robert.campbell.67@us.af.mil

David Grant USAF Medical Center Travis Air Force Base (707) 423-7550 Manager: Ivana Jordovic ivana.jordovic@us.af.mil

James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Tampa (813) 910-3000 Manager: Sean Kelly sean.kelly2@va.gov

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (760) 763-5308 Manager: Vicky Powell-Johnson victoria.l.powelljohnson.naf@us.navy.mil

Miami VA Healthcare System (305) 575-7260 Manager: Richie Sanchez lerrichiad.sanchez@va.gov

Naval Medical Center San Diego (619) 532-9055 Manager: Tiana Babcock tiana.n.babcock.naf@us.navy.mil

North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Gainesville (352) 548-6492 Manager: Kimo Ortiz kimo.ortiz@va.gov

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 x69914 Manager: Evan Fasbinder evan.fasbinder@va.gov

COLORADO VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Aurora (720) 723-7683 Manager: Khristie Barker VHAECHFisherHouse@va.gov

CONNECTICUT VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven (203) 937-3438 Manager: Matt Crudo CONFisherHouse@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.prickett@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) 372-4516 Manager: Kevin Valera kevin.v.valera.naf@health.mil

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: Bonnie Cameron bonnie.cameron@va.gov

MARYLAND Malcolm Grow Clinics & Surgery Center Joint Base Andrews (301) 981-1243 Manager: Al Young jbandrewsfisherhouse@gmail.com Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda (301) 857-9486 Manager: Tyler Davis tyler.davis1.naf@us.navy.mil 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: Carol Leger bostonfisherhouse@va.gov

MICHIGAN Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System (734) 845-3055 Manager: April LaRock april.larock@va.gov

THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2 • 2026

Please contact the Fisher House manager directly at the desired location by phone or email.

John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Detroit (313) 349-7300 Manager: Deidre Roy VHADETFisherHouse2@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: Ron Gribble ronald.gribble.1@us.af.mil

MISSOURI Harry S. Truman VA Hospital Fisher House Columbia (573) 814-6000 x55462 Manager: Passion Hambright passion.hambright@va.gov Kansas City VA Medical Center (816) 714-8697 Manager Deborah Graham-McCook KCFisherHouse@va.gov VA St. Louis Health Care System (314) 894-6145 Manager: Vanniecia Brown stlfisherhousestaff@va.gov

NEBRASKA VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System Omaha (402) 930-7116 Manager: Jennifer Servant OmahaFisherHouse@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 Manager: Carlos Velasquez 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 Manager: Michael Vahoviak michael.vahoviak@va.gov

Franklin Delano Roosevelt VA Hospital (914) 788-4200 Manager: Terry Woodcock terry.woodcock@va.gov

NORTH CAROLINA Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune (910) 450-3884 Manager: Sanda Heger sanda.r.heger.naf@us.navy.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) 475-6332 Manager: Nicole Comer nicole.comer4@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 Manager: Wesley Freeman wesley.freeman@va.gov Wright-Patterson Medical Center (937) 257-0855 Manager: Diyor Nishanov Isfandiyor.nishanov@us.af.mil

OREGON VA Portland Health Care System (360) 567-4647 Manager: James Dorce’ james.dorce@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) 647-5611 Manager: Candler Rhodes candler.rhodes@va.gov

TENNESSEE

Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center Memphis (901) 523-8990 x13000 Manager: Ashley Schoonover ashley.schoonover@va.gov

Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Murfreesboro (615) 225-5758 Manager: Becky Wood rebecca.wood4@va.gov

Richmond VA Medical Center Richmond (804) 675-6639 Manager: Cynthia Young cynthia.young4@va.gov

TEXAS

WASHINGTON

Brooke Army Medical Center Joint Base San Antonio (210) 916-6000 Manager: Candice Ualesi candice.t.ualesi.naf@health.mil

Madigan Army Medical Center Joint Base Lewis-McChord (253) 967-8362 Manager: Vattana Garcia vattana.garcia.naf@health.mil

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Fort Hood (254) 286-7927 Manager: Leah Kelly leah.r.kelly3.naf@health.mil

VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle (206) 768-5353 Manager: Mark Debenport mark.debenport@va.gov

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Houston (713) 791-1414 x228779 Manager: Passion Sullivan passion.sullivan@va.gov

WEST VIRGINIA Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center Huntington (304) 429-8700 Manager: Jason Wyant jason.wyant@va.gov

South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio (210) 617-5542 Manager: Douglas Dickson douglas.dickson@va.gov

WISCONSIN

VA North Texas Health Care System Dallas (214) 857-4400 Manager: Lydia Henderson lydia.henderson1@va.gov Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center San Antonio Military Medical Center Lackland Air Force Base (210) 671-6037 Manager: Philip Harralson philip.harralson@us.af.mil William Beaumont Army Medical Center Fort Bliss (915) 742-1860 Manager: Alice Coleman alice.m.coleman2.naf@health.mil

Zablocki VA Medical Center Milwaukee (414) 384-2000 x44570 Manager: Torrie Hutchison torrie.hutchison@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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham 0121-472-6217 fax: 0121-41306897 Manager: Patrick Hogan vs.fisherhouseuk@ssafa.org.uk

UTAH VA Salt Lake City Health Care System (801) 588-5900 Manager: Heather Dunnigan SLCFisherHouse@va.gov

VIRGINIA Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Fort Belvoir (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

THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 2 • 2026

Fisher House Foundation, Inc. 12300 Twinbrook Parkway Suite 410 Rockville, MD 20852

A home away from home A home away from home For more then 35 years, the Fisher House program has helped families stay

For 35 years, the Fisher House program has helped families stay with loved with loved ones receiving medical care at major military and VA medical ones receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers, centers, because we believe “A family’s love is good medicine.” These homes because we believe “A family’s love is good medicine.” These homes provide provide free, temporary lodging to military and veteran families so they can free, temporary lodging to military and veteran families so they can be close be close to their loved ones during medical crises. to their loved ones during medical crises. Since 1990: 570,000 families served | $690 million in savings | 13.4 million+ nights of lodging Since 1990: 570,000 families served | $690 million in savings | 13.4 million+ nights of lodging

* 101 100 FISHER FISHER HOUSES HOUSES*

(2) (2) (2) (2)

(2) (2)

(2) (2) (2) (2)

(5) (5)

(2) (2)

(2) (2) Birmingham, UK Birmingham, UK

(2) (2)

(2) (3)(2) (3)

(4) (4)

(3) (3)

(2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2)

(2) (2)Landstuhl, Germany Landstuhl, Germany

= existing houses = houses under construction = existing houses =indicate houses under construction Numbers in parentheses multiple houses at one location. Numbers in parentheses indicate multiple houses at one location.

2026 2026

www.fisherhouse.org | (888) 294-8560 www.fisherhouse.org | (888) 294-8560

* As of Ocotber 1, 2026 * As of April 1, 2026