It’s a milestone David Coker wasn’t sure he’d see – the construction of 100 Fisher Houses.
Coker, who marks his 30th anniversary as president of the Fisher House Foundation on July 1, stopped at Fort Eisenhower’s Fisher House June 18 as part of a year-long tour to visit all of them including the 100th that is under construction in Chicago.
“I was looking at celebrating 100. I can only do this one time,” he said. “We’re shining a light on the diversity and evolution of the program.”
For more than three decades, Fisher Houses have served more than 500,000 military families as a home away from home while a loved one receives medical care.
Despite having assisted that many families, “Fisher Houses tend to be a best kept secret,” said Coker.
The first Fisher House was opened in Bethesda, Md. in 1991 before the foundation was established.
“The first 20-plus houses Zach wrote a check for,” said Coker.
Zachary Fisher (1910-1999) was unable to serve in World War II because of an injured leg. He worked in the construction business with his brothers in New York. He wanted to do things during his life to support the military. Establishing the Fisher House program was just one of those ways.
“He was always inspired by the people who served. He liked to be part of the solution. He’d be thrilled with the way we’ve been able to expand the program,” he said.
Read more: Fisher House provides a home away from home
The Fisher House near Eisenhower Army Medical Center is one of those original homes, and its manager, Francisco Cruz, has been there from its early days. The home has 5,000 square feet with eight suites, a kitchen, dining room and living room.
Over the years, the design has changed. Some have as many as 20 suites. Design changes were often made to accommodate the amount of land available to construct a home. Early homes were close to Department of Defense hospitals; later, homes were built near VA hospitals. Augusta’s VA Hospital received one in 2011.
Coker plans to visit that Fisher House as well but the manager was on leave while he was in the area.
Coker’s initial affiliation with the Fisher House came while he was still on active duty at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado which has since closed. His wife served as a volunteer house manager.
He believed so much in the house and supporting it that he founded a non-profit and aptly chose the name “Fisher House Foundation.”
It worked fine until he got a letter from the Fishers in New York stating that he might want to rename his organization as they were planning to start their own foundation, and it could get a little confusing. A postscript added that if Coker knew of anyone who wanted a job with the foundation to let them know.
Coker had already submitted his retirement papers and was considering his next move. He took a chance and is glad he did.
Read more: Fisher House manager provides three decades of service to military families
The reward in doing his job, Coker said, is knowing how valuable the program is for families who stay at Fisher Houses at no cost.
When a medical emergency arises, the last thing someone needs is to have to worry about where they are going to stay to care for a loved one.
“People aren’t prepared for a stay of weeks, let alone four or five days. That can bust the budget,” he said.
And while there are 100 homes now, that number will continue to rise. Twenty affiliated with the VA are on a priority list and there are at least 50 more possibilities at the VA.
“We’re looking at places that have land and will support a Fisher House,” he said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
