PBS NEWS HOUR

Video/Transcript

JIM LEHRER: For those stations not taking a pledge break, the NewsHour continues with the challenges female veterans face after returning from war. It’s part of our series NewsHour Connect, which showcases public media reporting from around the nation.

Tonight’s story comes from Scott Schafer of KQED San Francisco.

SCOTT SCHAFER: Star Lara grew up in Roswell, New Mexico, and was on her way to managing a fast food restaurant. But a conversation with a friend changed all that.

STAR LARA, former soldier: And he goes, “You know what I just did?” “What?” He was, like, “I just joined the Army. Do you want to join?” “All right.”

And that’s how I ended up in the Army for 12 years.

SCOTT SCHAFER: Star joined the Army in 1995 and eventually ended up in Iraq. She’s one of almost 200,000 women veterans in California.

STAR LARA: It fit my personality. It fit my drive. It fit my enthusiasm. It gave me so many opportunities that I could never have achieved anywhere else. It just — the lady was that perfect fit for me.

SCOTT SCHAFER: But with all the opportunities the military offered, it didn’t necessarily prepare Star, or other women veterans, for the aftermath.

STAR LARA: You came from being very independent to somehow emotionally co-dependent on those that are around you for that — that support. You become distracted from things that are happening back at home. It’s difficult to maintain relationships with loved ones in the United States or anywhere else.

SCOTT SCHAFER: When she was in Iraq, Star went from speaking to her mother once a week to not calling her for eight months. And while isolation from family and friends is something all service members deal with, Star says there’s something different in the way women handle the experience of war.

STAR LARA: I think that men and women process information differently and we suppress information differently. Women suppress it immediately, but because of needing to find a way back to normalcy.

SCOTT SCHAFER: Men and women also have significantly different needs after they’re discharged from the military, especially when it comes to child care and mental health.

Caitlin Hasser is a psychiatrist at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the director of the Women’s Mental Health Clinic.

DR. CAITLIN HASSER, psychiatrist, Women’s Mental Health Clinic, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center: We know women veterans have higher rates of single parenthood than male veterans and there are higher rates of homelessness and — and then also a lot of different societal roles. The average woman veteran I see is usually juggling about 50 things. And her own needs are often not at the top of that priority list.

SCOTT SCHAFER: Women make up about 14 percent of all service members, but they are at greater risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, than their male counterparts.

DR. CAITLIN HASSER: One of the — the traumas with the highest rate for developing PTSD is sexual trauma. And women have much higher rates of exposure to sexual trauma, and, therefore, in part, have higher rates of developing PTSD.

SCOTT SCHAFER: The Department of Veterans Affairs says nearly a quarter of women veterans have reported sexual assault by their peers while in the military. The Pentagon reports a 25 percent increase in military sexual trauma among women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, things like sexual assault and harassment.

And yet, despite these increasing numbers, most of these cases still go unreported.

DIANE WILLIAMSON, former soldier: Even after all these years, I still find it hard to believe that it — that it hap — it happened, because I’m such a different person now.

SCOTT SCHAFER: Diane Williamson served in the Army from 1976 to 1979. She says her commanding officer raped her in front of her 6-month-old daughter.

DIANE WILLIAMSON: I — I just think it was one of the classic cases of him taking advantage of his position and me not knowing or learning the ways of how the Army is as far as in relationship to women.

And so after it happened and I left the service, not a whole lot of people knew about it. I just — and I never told my family. So self-esteem was like shot.

SCOTT SCHAFER: Like many women veterans, Diane suppressed her experience for almost 30 years. She didn’t know how to deal with the rape or what her rights were, especially within the confines of the military.

DIANE WILLIAMSON: You know, you had to use like their lawyers and their — their rules and the — the UCMJ, you know, military justice, and certain things that are done. And that’s a way of, I think, a sense of control and not on — not something you can control. You have to use what’s there.

SCOTT SCHAFER: It’s not a level playing field.

DIANE WILLIAMSON: No, it’s not.

SCOTT SCHAFER: When women find their way to resources like the Department of Veterans Affairs, more obstacles are often in their way.

DR. CAITLIN HASSER: It can be very triggering to come to the V.A. for a woman who has experienced sexual trauma. This is, in part, because the VA Is a reminder of the military, where the sexual trauma occurred. It’s, in part, because it’s still a very male dominated environment.

SCOTT SCHAFER: The VA has created a national military sexual trauma support team to do staff outreach and education and advocate for patients.

CHERYL WENELL: I think the VA, unfortunately, hasn’t had the best reputation in the past for — for caring for women veterans. And I think we are intent to change that.

SCOTT SCHAFER: Cheryl Wenell is the women’s program manager at the VA Medical Center in San Francisco.

CHERYL WENELL, women’s program manager, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco: In the next 15 years or so, the number of women veterans in general will be doubling, even though the number of female veterans will actually be decreasing.

SCOTT SCHAFER: The women’s clinic is trying to address physical and mental health needs with internal medicine specialists — social workers and psychiatrists, all in one clinic, while trying to remove some of the barriers that have stopped women from getting health care in the past.

CHERYL WENELL: Twenty years ago, they — they would be in a position where they would — might be sitting alone in a waiting room and with the — with the waiting room full of men, as opposed to now, they have a special clinic dedicated to them. They have special services, special groups that are dedicated to them.

SCOTT SCHAFER: And non-profits like Swords to Plowshares, where Star Lara works, help veterans get back on their feet.

STAR LARA: I would like to see it become a process of giving back, so that you reach the female veterans, give them a hand up and put them in a position to where they can turn around and do the same, not only to female veterans, but all veterans. That would be my — my passion, to see us all as a community of veterans helping veterans.

This segment was originally produced for KQED-TV. You can watch the full version here.

Rich Aldag, a first sergeant in the National Guard, is overseas for the second time in his 20-year career, but that doesn’t make it any less stressful for his wife and children.

But this time around it might be just a little bit easier for Hayden, 10, and Aubrey, 8, who are participating in some extracurricular activities at no cost through a grant from a national nonprofit organization.

Hayden is taking martial arts classes and Aubrey is learning gymnastics through Thanks to Our Military Kids.

“They enjoy it,” Trish Aldag said. “We find it’s best to keep them busy so they don’t sit and mope around missing Daddy.

“We’re thankful for it and blessed to be given the opportunity.”

The national group founded in 2004 provides grants of as much as $500 to children of deployed members of the National Guard and Reserve so they can do extracurricular sports, fine arts and tutoring.

More than 700 members of the Nebraska National Guard are deployed across the world, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While these men and women put themselves in danger to protect our safety, they leave behind spouses and children, prompting Our Military Kids to ask: “Who will take care of them?”

Greg O’Brien of Our Military Kids said many children of regular soldiers live near or on a base and have access to resources, but because members of the Guard and Reserve are dispersed across the country, they don’t have the same access.

“Our Military Kids fills this gap in service,” O’Brien said.

This year alone, the group has given more than 100 grants to Nebraska families. Since its inception, the organization has given more than 20,000 grants worth more than $8 million.

The group is funded by corporations, private donors and government grants.

Sarah Worley, another Lincolnite with a Guardsman husband overseas, said the grant has helped free up some money for other expenses.

Briana, her 6-year-old, is taking dance classes; without the grant they would run up to more than $100 a month.

A survey conducted by Our Military Kids found 80 percent of respondents reported increased anxiety in their children during a deployment. They also found 94 percent agreed that participation in the activity benefited their kids.

“It reassures the men and women of the National Guard and Reserves that someone at home is remembering the sacrifice their family is making while they serve overseas,” said Nadia Short, a former Army Chief Warrant Officer and a member of Our Military Kids’ advisory board.

“Not only does participation in activities boost morale and allow children to continue with their development, but it also builds self confidence and gives them something to talk about with their parents when they call home.”

By JORDAN PASCALE / Lincoln Journal Star

CIAV has had the opportunity to partner with PBS for their campaign “This Emotional Life” to highlight the emotional challenges facing military families and veterans. Take a look at our latest blog on the military/veteran community and the tremendous work of our CIAV organizations: Supporting Our Veterans And Military Families.

You can learn more about their campaign to help military families here.

TAPS is headquartered in Washington D.C. but has one branch office at Ft. Hood, the largest Army base in the continental United States. TAPS provides care and comfort for bereaved survivors of military loss, regardless of the circumstance or location of the death.

“Obviously with such a sad turn of events, even more families stationed at Fort Hood will need the services TAPS provides,” said Kim Ruocco, TAPS Program Manager for Survivor Support.

“We stand ready to help these bereaved families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and our toll-free hotline is available at 1-800-959-TAPS (8277).”

Several surviving families from prior military losses were at the TAPS office on Ft. Hood taking part in a survivor program at the time of the base lock down.

Fort Hood has hosted several TAPS regional seminars for adults and Good Grief Camps for children to help families of those who have died in military service to America. Earlier this year, TAPS opened a branch office at Fort Hood to assist bereaved military families. More information about TAPS is available at www.taps.org.

Media: TAPS spokespersons may be available via satellite or studio in Washington, DC or Boston, Mass.

About TAPS: TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, seminars, case work assistance, and 24/7 crisis intervention care for anyone who has been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge.

TAPS Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Kreft, Director of Communications & Outreach, 202-905-7262, elizabeth@taps.org
Ami Neiberger-Miller, Public Affairs Officer, 703-887-4877, ami@taps.org

*photo by Ben Skylar, Getty Images

TAPS, the national organization providing comfort to families of America’s fallen heroes, offers advice

WASHINGTON – The horrific tragedy at Fort Hood has sent our nation into mourning, and many want to know how to express their condolences and support to the families left behind. Reaching out to express condolences is a natural and heartfelt reaction to tragedy.  TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, offers the following tips for those seeking to express sympathy and support to the families of those who died at Fort Hood.

Be understanding. The surviving families are in tremendous shock in the immediate days and weeks following the death of their loved one. Understand that families may need to be focused on making important decisions about funerals, memorial services, benefits, and a host of details. The family may not be able to respond to you right away or express their appreciation for your thoughtfulness.

Respect their privacy. Grieving families who have experienced the traumatic death of a loved one may need their family and close friends around them. Please allow them the privacy and space they need to get through what are going to be difficult days.

Think beyond flowers and food. Often bereaved families will be overwhelmed by gifts of food and flowers.  Consider making a contribution to a charity or memorial fund in honor of their loved one. Often families will specify a charity or organization that their loved one was involved with or supported, and find this type of donation particularly touching.

Send a card. A card can express your sympathies and be an important reminder to a grieving family of your care and concern.

Simply express your condolences. If you talk with a family member, say you are sorry for their loss, or say you want to offer your condolences. That’s enough. Avoid saying things like “I understand exactly how you feel,” or “It was his (or her) time,” or “He (or she) wouldn’t want for you to be sad.”

Show your support. In many communities, a procession is held when a fallen service member’s remains are brought home. Consider standing near the processional route to show your support for the family. Bring an American flag, carry a sign that expresses your feelings, and stand in respect to honor the sacrifice their loved one has made for our nation.

Attend a memorial service. If a memorial or funeral service is open to the public, consider attending. Your presence can be a valuable support to the family, which appreciates knowing that their loved one is being remembered by many. Some families may need to observe their funeral ceremonies in private. If that is the case, please respect their wishes and be with them in your thoughts and prayers.

Offer skills or services to help the family. If you are a business person who can offer an in-kind donation to help the family that will help during the funeral process, such as limousine services, public relations assistance, or event management aid, consider donating your time and services.

ABOUT TAPS
TAPS is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since its founding in 1994 by bereaved military families, TAPS has helped more than 25,000 surviving family members and offered services to assist caregivers supporting families coping with a military death. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free crisis line at 800.959.TAPS.

Media Contacts
Elizabeth Kreft, Director of Communications & Outreach, 202.905.7262, elizabeth@taps.org
Ami Neiberger-Miller, Public Affairs Officer, 703.887.4877, ami@taps.org

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Radcliff, KY, October 19, 2009—USA Cares today announced the creation of a new program designed to support the nation’s servicemen and women and veterans who may be experiencing hardship in making their mortgage payments.  The program will support borrowers by helping lenders to better understand the unique financial and life challenges of military homeowners as well as educating lenders about the financial benefits military families have access to.  USA Cares will also work with the housing counseling community to facilitate their awareness of the needs of military service members.

Bill Nelson, Executive Director of USA Cares said, “Our nation is at war and suffering tough economic times.  Our new program will help enlisted and veteran borrowers avoid foreclosure and improve the experience of prospective homeowners who seek affordable homes.”

The effort will include a training course for individual lenders and a qualification standard for their parent lending institutions.   Lenders will enroll in the Participating Lender Course (PLC) which will be offered nationwide in both classroom and web-based versions beginning this month.  Successful completion of the course will be recognized with a certificate and that mark of excellence will become a sought after signal to military families, the promise that they will get the expert care they have earned though their service.

Beverly Ray Frase of USA Cares will direct the new program.  She comes to USA Cares with a strong background as Mortgage Broker, Real Estate Broker and career Army wife. “I’ve been on all sides of this,” says Beverly. “I’ve been the military family buying a home, the Realtor helping find a home in a short window of time, and the lender helping to complete the purchase. I know firsthand what hurdles come along for military families trying to achieve homeownership and I understand the struggle some families face as they try to stay in their homes.”

USA Cares is no stranger to supporting the homeownership goals of military families. “We’ve paid out over one million dollars to save military family homes from foreclosure in the past three years,” said Jennifer Robinson, USA Cares Director of Assistance.  “This new effort will help reduce the need for such assistance by supporting military borrowers and their lenders as they work together to make affordable and sustainable housing decisions.”

The program will be administered through USA Cares, a nationally recognized 501(c)3 that provides financial assistance to post 9/11 service members, veterans and their families. The program is funded by a grant from Fannie Mae.

About USA Cares

USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that helps post 9/11 military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: To help with basic needs during financial crisis, to assist combat injured Veterans and their families and to prevent private military home foreclosures and evictions. In six years, USA Cares has received over 18,000 requests and responded with more than $6.3 million in grants. Military families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/ or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact John Revell, jrevell@usacares.org or call (270) 352-5451.

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“Its now four years since I lay in the dirt, near death, on the side of the road in Fallujah. I’m grateful for all the things I have, and proud of all I’ve accomplished. In the end though, I don’t measure how far I’ve come by goals achieved, or academic degrees earned, or running trophies won. For me, what counts is that pain no longer rules my life.” – Derek McGinnis

The American Pain Foundation (APF) announces the release of Iraq War Veteran and Pain Advocate Derek McGinnis’ first book, Exit Wounds:  A Survival Guide to Pain Management for Returning Veterans and Their Families. Written in collaboration with nationally renowned pain experts, the release date of September 21 for Exit Wounds coincided with September’s designation as Pain Awareness Month.

McGinnis, who sustained a traumatic brain injury, extensive shrapnel wounds, damage to his eye and amputation of his left leg above the knee from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while serving in the U.S. Navy in Iraq, said, “I wrote Exit Wounds because when I was struggling with horrific pain caused by my injuries, there was no guide, no map, no mentor to steer me through the minefield I was navigating.  Exit Wounds contains the information my family and I desperately needed back in 2004.”

Exit Wounds is both a guide to pain management for veterans and their family members, and also the inspiring story of how one man, with the support of his family and fellow veterans, fought to survive and even thrive despite his traumatic injuries and painful path to recovery.  Exit Wounds and its companion website offer veterans and family members information about acute and chronic pain syndromes afflicting veterans, treatment options, including medications, procedures, complementary therapies and other interventions; strategies for self-advocating for optimal pain care; medical resources inside and outside the Veterans Administration (VA) system;  and caregiver needs, perspectives and resources.

“With hundreds of thousands of military personnel expected to return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next few years, many of them will struggle with acute pain and face the possibility of a lifetime of chronic pain,” said McGinnis.  “They and their families deserve a resource to help them navigate through the barriers and obstacles that can prevent effective pain care.”

McGinnis now serves as the Military/Veterans Initiative Amputee Outreach Advocate with APF and travels the country advocating for the pain management needs of veterans, military personnel and their caregivers.  He has spoken to many influential groups and individuals within the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Veterans Service Organizations and Congress to bring military and veterans’ pain issues to the forefront. McGinnis provides information, education, outreach, support and resources to those who are affected by pain.

To read an excerpt of Exit Wounds or to learn more on where you can obtain a copy of Exit Wounds, visit www.exitwoundsforveterans.org.   The book is currently being distributed to veterans and service members for free through the Wounded Warrior Project and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.  McGinnis is searching for partners to support the printing of the book so that it can be given for free to every service member, veteran, or family member who needs one.  It is available to civilians through Amazon.

About Derek: Derek McGinnis, age 31, grew up in Fremont, California, and currently lives in Waterford, California, with his wife, Andrea, and their two young sons.  In addition to his advocacy position with APF, McGinnis is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Social Work.  He enjoys competing in endurance races including, biathlons and triathlons and aspires to represent his country again one day as a member of the U.S. Paralympic team.

Available for Interview: To schedule an interview with Derek McGinnis to discuss Exit Wounds, his struggle with pain and his advocacy work with APF, please contact Tina Regester at 443-690-4707 or tregester@painfoundation.org.

The Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (CIAV) convened in Washington, DC October 6-7, 2009 to share our expertise in delivering support and services to military, veterans, their families and survivors.

The CIAV’s 52 agencies met with Congressman Bob Filner, Chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Brigadier General Loree K. Sutton, Director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury; Douglas B. Carmon, Ombudsman to General Eric Shinseki, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs; other representatives from the DoD, VA, and Congress; and community supporters to report from the field regarding community efforts to serve our warriors, their families, and their survivors.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives helped us convene in the Capitol on the morning of October 6 to dialogue with members of Congress and their staff, while the afternoon provided us an opportunity to meet with federal agencies. The Association of Small Foundations and the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region helped cohosted an informational briefing on October 7 which garnered a dialogue between our organizations and those in the community interested in learning more about the issues that affect those who serve.

The goal of the CIAV summit for our organizations was to strengthen partnerships between government and community in our common mission of caring for those who serve and brainstorm with our colleagues in the DoD, VA and community in delivering the best, most accessible and comprehensive supports possible. We certainly succeeded our goals and look forward to furthering the relationships established during the meetings.

As we have previously stated, no one agency or sector can deliver the breadth of support required to serve our warriors. We have learned since the wars began, and even more so now, that we must coordinate care, and leverage every resource to meet the needs of our warriors and their families.

For more information on the meetings, please contact us.

49th Public Affairs Detachment (Airborne)

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – When a Soldier makes the decision to serve our country, so does the family. The family is right there next to the Soldier enduring the many moves, separations and sometimes more critical situations.

It’s when those serious situations arise that the Army and its supporters come together to ensure the Soldier and his or her family are taken care of during their time of need.

One of those supporters is the Fisher House Foundation.

Because Soldiers and their families are stationed worldwide and never know when they might find themselves in a bind, the Fisher House Foundation has set up a unique program to help provide temporary housing for Soldiers and their families when they find themselves away from home, according to the Fisher House website, www.fisherhouse.org.

“In my words, the foundation is awesome,” said Paula Gallero, the Fort Bragg Fisher House manager. “Without the foundation, we wouldn’t be here. They donate all the houses, furnishing them down to the last spoon before turning it over to the military as a gift.”

The Fisher House Foundation’s website also states there is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center helping to enable family members to be near loved ones at the most stressful times free of cost.

“When I was still in the hospital, my father and mother came down to visit me,” said Pfc. Daniel L. Conley, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (Airborne). “They needed a place to stay and wanted to be close to me so my case worker suggested the Fisher House.”

Conley, a native of Elkton, Va., suffered from a foot injury which required two surgeries and a weeklong stay at the Womack Army Medical Center, he explained.
However, after Conley was released from the hospital, he realized his third floor barracks posed a problem because of his inability to walk up stairs.

“The first three weeks of my injury I was on crutches and had a hard time walking,” Conley said. “I came here to the Fisher House and they put me right on the ground floor so I didn’t have to use any steps.”

It’s the helpfulness, like in the Conley family’s situation, that invites all guests to return to the house either as a tenant or sometimes a volunteer.

“One thing I have noticed over the years is the most dedicated volunteers are the ones who have used the Fisher House,” said Rebecca Schwitters, a volunteer at the Fort Bragg Fisher House.

A look back in time

“The Fisher House Foundation is a responsive, flexible, dedicated organization and nothing has changed since the first day I walked in back in 1993 when the Fort Bragg location opened,” Schwitters said.

The Fort Bragg location truly felt the need of the Fisher House back when it opened two weeks prior to the Battle of Mogadishu, better known to most as “Black Hawk Down,” the movie which depicted the battle.

“I was called in by a friend to see if I could bring some food in,” Schwitters explained. “A large family was coming in, the family of Sgt. 1st Class Earl Fillmore Jr. The group consisted of his mother, and father, as well as six sisters and three brothers-in-law along with a dozen small children who all needed a place to stay.”

Besides the Battle of Mogadishu, the Fisher House has also supported Soldiers and their families during the Pope Air Force Base crash, where an F-16 fighter aircraft and C-130 transport aircraft collided in the bases landing pattern, resulting in the death 24 paratroopers and injuring almost a 100 additional paratroopers. In more recent times, the Fisher House has supported Soldiers fighting in the War on Terrorism.

“Mr. Fisher’s motto was, ‘It’s a home away from home,’” Gallero, a native of Santa Fe, N.M., said. “When we first opened the doors, the house was just for families of Soldiers with critical medical problems. Then the war started and now we’re more of a home of recovery for either accidents at Fort Bragg or tragedies from the war.”

In 1990, Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher first started the Fisher House program, dedicating more than $20 million to the construction of new homes for military members and families, the Fisher House website explained.

Gallero, who has been the manager of the Fort Bragg Fisher House for almost 18 years, said she couldn’t be happier with her job.

“It’s total job satisfaction,” Gallero said. “As long as you are happy you will do a good job. If anyone is as happy as I am, I know they’re doing a great job.”

Gallero’s job, like every other Fisher House manager, is to take the best care of the Soldier’s and their families as she can.

“Rule one is to take care of the Soldier’s and their families; rule two is read rule one and follow,” Schwitters said. “It’s very simple.”

A paratroopers worst nightmare

“It’s still terrifying to imagine,” explained Spc. Benjamin J. Watson, 49th Public Affairs Detachment (Airborne). “It was a night jump, and as soon as I exited the plane, the lower jumper was yelling that I’d been caught in his lines. In fact, I had about a quarter of his chute’s lines wrapped around my helmet and my own chute was only half-deployed. In no time at all, I had slammed to the ground and I was just praying I wasn’t paralyzed.”

This nightmare scenario quickly led to Watson, a native of Dalton, Ky., being taken to the emergency trauma room of Fort Bragg’s Womack Army Medical Center with multiple fractures in his spine, he said.

Just a few hours later, he was rushed to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where he underwent medical treatment and evaluation.

After being discharged from the hospital, Watson, a single Soldier living in the barracks, and his family, who had traveled here from Colorado, needed a place to stay.

“It was so easy to reserve a room at the Fisher House,” said Carole Watson, the mother of Benjamin. “We had a free room available on the first day we spoke to the manager.”

Upon arrival to the Fisher House, the Watson family was quickly welcomed by the polite staff and pleasant accommodations, said Carole, a native of Alamosa, Colo.

“The accommodations were wonderful,” she said. “We had a private suite with everything we needed along with an open kitchen right in the house.”

Benjamin also agreed the staff, especially the manager, were very helpful to him and his family.

“I was hurting a lot after leaving the hospital,” he said. “Because of the managers and all the volunteers’ help, I was able to lie down and relax, which definitely helped relieve some of the pain.”

As a result of all the generosity the Watson family found at the Fisher House, they were able to rest and make the appropriate plans for a full recovery.

“At a time when we couldn’t think clearly, the Fisher House gave us a place to take a break and provided a calm atmosphere to think through decisions making sure to take the right steps in our son’s recovery journey,” Carole said.

Altogether, the Watson family unanimously agreed the Fisher House provided comfort during one of the most straining times their family had been through.

“This is a wonderful project that fills a valuable need for folks that are in a difficult time of their lives with an injured Soldier,” said Carole. “I would highly recommend this facility to all military families in need of help!”

The importance of collaboration was demonstrated when the CIAV worked with Give an Hour volunteers during our 2nd Annual Conference this past month in Washington, D.C. when we enlisted their help in talking with service providers at the conference who were experiencing stress.

Read the full article here.