Fisher House supporters recognized for their commitment to families

  • Published
  • By Christin Michaud
  • Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Representatives from the Fisher House Foundation and Suzie Schwartz, wife of Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, toured the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs and recognized supporters of the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen during their visit here Oct. 28.

Fisher House Foundation Vice President Jim Weiskopf joined the Board of Trustees Vice Chairmen Audrey Fisher and Nancy Edelman in recognizing several organizations that make the Fisher House here a success.

Fisher and Edelman serve as ambassadors for the Fisher House Foundation, said Weiskopf. The trio and other trustees like Mary Jo Myers, travel across the country to visit each Fisher House annually. Their number one purpose is to say thank you to the donors, managers and volunteers, he said.

They presented certificates to the Friends of the Fallen, the Families of the Fallen Support Branch, the commissary at Dover AFB, the USO Families of the Fallen Support Program, and the liaison teams from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

"Your compassion and selfless dedication to the needs of the nearly 1,200 family members of service men and women who have given their lives defending our nation, while they've been guests at the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen is keeping with the spirit of the Fisher House program which founders Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher dedicated to 'our greatest national treasure, our military service men and women and their loved ones,'" read Weiskopf as he presented the certificates.

The visit to the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen was the first for Fisher since it opened almost a year ago. "I'm very honored to be here," she said. "Even though you can't help but cry, it's important."

Schwartz was pleased to see how the Fisher House has evolved in the short time it's been open.

She and her husband recognized the need for a place for families travelling to Dover to attend a dignified transfer.

Their vision has evolved into a campus which encompasses the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen, a meditation pavilion and the Center for Families of the Fallen.

"I'm amazed at how it's changed already, and the generosity of the American people and their concern for families in their worst moments," said Schwartz.

Families may not realize it in the moment, she said, but every little thing being done is one way to give back - it means something.

Through donations of food to a new playground for children staying at the nine-room facility, the community has come together to support grieving families.