For more than 20 years, the Fisher House program has been dedicated to meeting the needs of our military heroes and their families.  Recently, the Foundation was asked to shoulder the burden of assisting military families who have been denied deaths benefits as a result of the federal government shutdown.  We saw a gap in America's promise to these grieving families, and we have moved forward to help fill it.

Since Wednesday, Fisher House has stood ready to honor the death benefit payments owed by the Department of Defense.  Yesterday, Congress passed legislation allowing the DoD to support these families, and we understand payments will be made next week. 

Today, Fisher House is sending a gift of $25,000 - beyond the benefits due - to each of the 20+ families affected by the delay.  We hope this eases the burdens these families are experiencing now, until the DoD benefits are received.  We also continue to fly families to Dover Air Force Base to witness the Dignified Transfer of Remains (DTR), the ceremony in which their loved one is brought home to the United States.  Once there, many of these families will stay at the Dover Fisher House for the Families of the Fallen while they wait anxiously for that solemn ceremony.

We want you, our supporters, to know that we remain dedicated to our core mission - constructing Fisher Houses, supporting families who stay in Fisher Houses, operating Hero Miles and all our programs that support service members, Veterans, and their families while they focus on the healing process.

Thank you for making it possible.  We couldn't do this without you.