Second Fisher House at JBLM breaks ground
Sep 26, 2014, 1:57 PM | Updated: 2:10 pm
KIRO Radio's Dave Ross took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fisher House at JBLM. (KIRO Radio/Nicole Thompson)
(KIRO Radio/Nicole Thompson)
The rain stopped and the sun came out at Joint Base Lewis-McChord just in time for the formal groundbreaking for a very special project this week. Madigan Medical Center is getting its second Fisher House.
I’ve narrated the Fisher House Memorial Day radio specials for the last two years, so I got to go and take part in the groundbreaking ceremony.
The I-Corps Army Band was there along with Col. Chuck Hodges, Commander of JBLM, Col. Ramona Fiorey, Commander of Madigan Army Medical Center, and, to unveil the official cornerstone, Mrs. Joan Shalikashvili.
The new Fisher House is being dedicated in honor of her late husband, Gen. John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
I got to pick up a stainless steel shovel, along with representatives of Delta Airlines, Friends of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House, and others, and on cue we dug in and smiled for the cameras.
This new Fisher House will include 12 suites for families of hospitalized soldiers, and it will be either the 65th or 66th Fisher House depending on how quickly the new one in Portland is finished.
On this special occasion, we should also congratulate the Ron & Don Nation for raising tens of thousands of dollars towards its construction. It was an honor to represent them on site. Plus, there was cake and two kinds of cookies.
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Tune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.
