Fisher Houses provide a home away from home for military families visiting recovering loved ones.

In 1990, Zachary Fisher, a residential and commercial developer who had long been a major philanthropic benefactor for military causes, wanted to expand his support of military families. Fisher was one of the founding partners of Fisher Brothers, a leading New York residential and commercial developer that owns more than 6 million square feet of office space.

He decided to build "comfort homes" at medical centers on military or VA installations and donate them to the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Wounded veterans often spend long periods of time in hospitals far from home. The Fisher Houses provide a safe, comfortable place for the families to stay free of charge and allow those who are recovering to spend time with their families.

Zachary Fisher died in 1999, but his grandnephew Kenneth Fisher, chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation, and his wife, Tammy, have kept the dream alive and thriving. In fact, the West Los Angeles Fisher House, which opened in February, is the 43rd Fisher House to be built since the first one opened in 1991. Since then, more than 120,000 military families have received free lodging, saving them more than $100 million.

"There can be no better medicine and treatment for our service men, women and veterans than the presence and love of their families," Ken Fisher said. "Families will pay nothing to stay in these Fisher Houses and that’s the way it should be."

Staff Sgt. Octavio Sanchez, 29, deployed to Iraq on May 4, 2005, with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. He was wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED), suffering severe burns and losing his right hand. He said seeing his family during his rehabilitation was vital to his recovery.

"You got medicine and everything else, but your family is key," Sanchez said, "especially if you have children. There is nothing like having your own family there to support you."

NaVOBA President Chris Hale said NaVOBA is donating copies of Vetrepreneur magazine to all Fisher Houses. "Fisher House" is a first -rate organization that helps those troops who have given a piece of themselves. Ken and Tammy Fisher are patriots who we proudly support.

Much of the Fisher House program’s success is due to the support of many generous Americans. The American Legion Pacific Palisades Post 283 donated more than $2 million for the construction of the latest Fisher House in Los Angeles. Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta, serve on the board of trustees. Veteran journalist Larry King, host of "Larry King Live," spoke at the dedication ceremony and pledged to speak at the opening of every new Fisher House.

"We do a lot for veterans, but we don’t do enough as a country," King said. "So we need something like Fisher House. It is an incredible, incredible charity."

In addition to the lodging, the Fisher House Foundation developed other programs to help military families. The Hero Miles program allows people to donate airline miles so that military families can travel for free to be with a loved one who is hospitalized as a result of their service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Fisher House has provided more than 16,000 airline tickets to families since the program began.

"This mission must continue until this nation’s true heroes get what they deserve: a system that cares for them and a nation that honors them," Ken Fisher said.

Fisher stressed that the Fisher House will always be there to serve the special needs of military families. "We’re here for you," he said. "God forbid you find yourself in a situation that requires it. But if you need us, we’re here."

For more information about the Fisher House program or to make a donation, visit its Web site at www.fisherhouse.org.

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