About Air Force & Space Force Fisher Houses
“A Home Away From Home for Our Military Families”
OUR MISSION
Air Force & Space Force Fisher House Mission- Provide an outstanding temporary homelike haven for the Families of the Fallen and those undergoing medical treatment, along with the family members and caregivers who accompany them to allow the warfighters to fly, fight, and win.
OUR VISION
Air Force Fisher House Vision – Compassionate professionals providing an unrivaled home away from home for Active Duty, Retired Military, Veterans, and their families or caregivers in their time of greatest need.
Fisher House Employees and Volunteers
At the Air Force Fisher House, employees and volunteers play vital roles in supporting military families during times of medical treatment. Their tasks typically include:
- Providing Comfort and Care: Staff and volunteers create a welcoming, homelike environment for families of service members undergoing medical care. This includes preparing rooms, maintaining common areas, and offering support, all deeply appreciated by the families.
- Administrative Support: Employees often handle administrative tasks such as checking families in, coordinating with medical facilities, and managing house operations to ensure the smooth functioning of the house.
- Organizing Events and Programs: Both staff and volunteers may help organize events and programs to engage with the local community and raise awareness for the Fisher House’s mission.
- Facility Maintenance: Employees oversee daily upkeep, while volunteers, as part of our dedicated team, play a crucial role in assisting with cleaning, gardening, or minor repairs to keep the house running smoothly.
- Offering Meals and Supplies: Volunteers often provide meals or supplies for families staying at the Fisher House, ensuring they have the comforts of home during their stay.
This combination of support, provided by our dedicated team of employees and volunteers, helps families focus on what matters most—their loved ones’ recovery. Your contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in these families’ lives.
FISHER HOUSE HISTORY
Zachary Fisher was a prominent figure in the New York real estate community and a major philanthropic benefactor for the men and women in the United States Armed Forces and numerous other not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Fisher began working in construction at the age of 16. Shortly thereafter, he and his brothers, Martin and Larry, joined forces to form Fisher Brothers, which has grown into one of the real estate industry’s premier residential and commercial developers. In the earliest days of his construction career, Mr. Fisher strongly supported the U.S. Armed Forces—prevented from active service in World War II due to a leg injury. In 1978, he founded the Intrepid Museum Foundation to save the historic and battle-scarred aircraft carrier Intrepid from the scrap yard. Four years of involvement with the Foundation resulted in his spearheading the opening of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City, now the world’s largest museum on water. In 1982, the same year as the museum’s opening, Mr. Fisher established the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation.
Through the Foundation, he made significant contributions to the families of the victims of the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983. Mr. Fisher has made similar donations to the families of New York City firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. His Armed Services Foundation also provides scholarships to active and former service members and their families.
In 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher began the Fisher House program, dedicating more than $20 million to constructing comfort homes for families of hospitalized military personnel, the start of the Fisher Houses. In December 1999, President Clinton signed Public Law 106-161 conferring upon Zachary Fisher the status of an honorary veteran in the U. S. Armed Forces. He was recommended for this honor before his death on June 4, 1999. He is one of only two people given this honor, the other being Bob Hope. Three words, etched in the marble of Zachary Fisher’s tomb, speak to his legacy: Builder…Philanthropist…Patriot. As of 2024, there are 100 Fisher Houses under programs within the Veteran’s Administration, Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Department of the Air Force has 14 Fisher Houses in its portfolio.
