History

The Fisher’s Vision

Acknowledged by the Armed Forces as the nation's most dedicated patriot, Zachary Fisher considered himself to be the luckiest man alive. He had two rewarding careers, one in the investment building sector of New York's real estate industry, the other as a private citizen serving his country. Born in Brooklyn, New York, young Zachary left high school at age 16 to help in the family construction business. He laid bricks until a serious building accident nearly cost him his left leg. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he was rejected by the military due to his injury.

Over the years, Zachary’s family business skyrocketed along with his devotion to his beloved country. Fisher Construction is one of the industry’s leaders, contributing some of the most prestigious corporate office buildings to the New York skyline. After fifty very successful years as a real estate developer, at a time when most ordinary men seek the escape and peace of retirement, Zachary Fisher embarked on a new career. Zachary began a career that would ultimately touch the lives of thousands of Americans. Zachary’s hope to give something back to those who gave their lives to preserve his freedom stayed with him his entire life. Elizabeth Fisher’s interest in the military also dated back to World War II when she traveled extensively overseas as an entertainer with the USO. Seeing the suffering of wounded and ill soldiers prompted her also to embark on a life¬time of compassion for our armed forces.

She married Zachary Fisher on December 19, 1943. This was the beginning of a wonderful love story – two extraordinary people, their love for each other and their love of country. They were two soul mates searching for ways to support military families all over the world. In 1983, the Fishers established the "Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Forces Foundation" to provide financial assistance to military families in need. Never was the need more apparent than after the 1989 turret explosion aboard the USS Iowa in which 47 crewmen were killed. The Fishers received the tragic news as a very personal loss and gave each of the 47 families $25,000 along with a letter explaining that while nothing would compensate for the loss of their loved ones, it was some comfort in knowing that two strangers cared enough about the families’ grief to send a token of their remorse. The same deep personal feeling of loss came with the Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut when again they stepped in to help the families. The generosity of the Fishers has been extraordinary. Besides the enormous financial assistance, college scholarships and the building of New York's Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, the Fishers still felt that there was something missing.

They continued to ask the question, “What more can we do for the military family?” Then the idea for comfortable, affordable family housing near military hospitals was submitted to them by Pauline Trost, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Carlisle Trost. The Fisher’s immediately saw this need fit perfectly with their objectives. The Houses became a tangible way of finally expressing their gratitude to the men and women in uniform. Zachary Fisher said, “Where there is a military, there will always be a Fisher House. Where there is a Fisher House, there will always be love and caring, warmth and compassion.”

In 1998, Zachary Fisher received the “Presidential Freedom Award.” This is the highest award our country can bestow upon a civilian. In attendance at the presentation were members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Not only do the Fisher Houses afford family members who have traveled across country or even across continents in some cases the opportunity to be able to stay close and comfort their loved ones, but experts agree that family closeness prompts a speedy recovery and shortens hospital stays

Over the years, it became a tradition for Mr. Fisher, who began his career a humble bricklayer to lay the last few bricks in each new House. The Fishers realized it was not the bricks and mortar that makes these Houses work – it is the dedicated managers and volunteers that make it so.

The Wright-Patterson House managers are sensitive to the guests needs as they handle difficult situations. They, along with the volunteers, must help a distressed family through their medical ordeal. The job demands more than average interpersonal skills to instill hope. We know our Fisher House is not home, but it is the next best thing. It doesn't take a family long to feel a part of our Fisher family. Since 1995, the Houses have gained tremendous support from the Miami Valley Community. Our neighbors are getting involved as never before. Like the Fishers, they are giving something back to the military through our Fisher and Nightingale Houses. They have caught that “Soaring Generous Spirit” of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher.

Zachary Fisher and the Joint Chiefs of Staff at a reception following the presentation of the Presidential Freedom Award.
(September 14, 1998)

The Dream is Born

The Nightingale House, the first Compassionate Care House in the Department of Defense, was the dream of Air Force Captain Gretchen Lizza, a scientist at the Armstrong Aerospace Medical Research Lab at Wright-Patterson on a humanitarian assignment. Their six year old son, Tony, was diagnosed with leukemia. In the many months of initial therapy, Gretchen came to know many families with similar circumstances. These families were in shock, emotionally overwhelmed and facing long hospital stays for their loved ones. If that was not enough to deal with, they also had the added burden of not having an affordable place to stay. Gretchen saw the need for a home-away-from-home. She ultimately took her ideas for the project to Colonel Dennis P. Tewel, Commander of the 2750th Air Base Wing. She convinced him of the critical need for such a house. This idea, this dream for an on-base version of the Ronald McDonald House, was taken all the way to the Pentagon. After months of work, authority was obtained for an existing duplex on base to be redesigned and remodeled and in May 1990 the house was ready to become a home for families.

Finally, the house needed a name; a name that conveyed its special purpose. The Air Force already held title to the perfect name, “Nightingale,” a name synonymous with tender loving care, had been given to the C-9 medical evacuation transport plane. The dream of the Nightingale House became a reality. The Nightingale and Fisher Houses in many ways are like a Ronald McDonald House. Neither have corporate or government structure underwriting their operation.

Even though our Houses are located on a federal installation, they, like Ronald McDonald Houses, must depend on generous donations from the private sector for the day-to-day operating expenses. Our Executive Board actually writes the Air Force a check each month to cover the salaries of our managers, utilities and other expenses. Unlike the Ronald McDonald Houses limited to families of critically ill children, the houses accept families of patients of all ages.

Families of critically ill children do, however, take top priority for rooms. Our guests come from all branches of the military, active duty, retired and reserves. Our guests have come from as far away as Spain and Japan and as close as here in the Miami Valley.

Captain Lizza’s motto for the Nightingale House was quite simple, "If all hands that reach could touch." To her that means by reaching out and touching someone, you can make a difference in their life. We are all thankful that she took that time, in the midst of her personal tragedy, to reach out and touch so many families in need.

Even after the Lizza’s retired from the Air Force and moved to New Jersey in 1993 they continued to stay in contact with the House managers and volunteers. In August of 1996 at the age of 12, her son Tony lost his long battle with leukemia. Today, Gretchen and Carl live in Marietta, Georgia and are keeping Tony's memory and legacy of his bravery in the face of adversity alive through “Tony's Gang,” a non-profit organization founded to support children with serious illness and their families (www.tonysgang.com). The Lizza’s hope to educate people starting at the local level to the needs and challenges of families facing a serious illness. They want to train those who want to be of help but don't know how to act or what to do. Finally, they hope to foster what they call a “kid-to-kid” network of support. The national headquarters of Tony’s Gang is being opened in Philadelphia, in support of Children’s Hospital. “We felt that Tony lived longer than many of his peer group in part because of the support he had.” They have taken tragedy and are now building something positive and lasting from it. In their eyes, it gives added meaning to their son’s life.