Dover to receive Fisher House

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Night falls on the flight line. There is a moment of total silence as the transfer case is removed from the cargo hold of the aircraft. All attending honor the sacrifice of their fallen brother.

A Dignified Transfer is a solemn event that has happened many times at Dover Air Force Base. April 6, 2009, Department of Defense policy was changed, allowing media to witness a Dignified Transfer with the permission of the fallen servicemember's next of kin.

Now, Dover will receive a Fisher House to help support the families of fallen servicemembers.

Since Feb. 6, 2009; more than 1,950 families and friends of fallen servicemembers have arrived at Dover to witness a Dignified Transfer, currently all families are housed off base in local hotels.

"The Fisher House will be dedicated solely to those families who have lost a loved one," said Todd Rose, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Mortuary Affairs Division director.

The groundbreaking for the Fisher House is scheduled for May 1, and should be completed approximately six months later. The funding for the Fisher House will be provided in part by President Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize money, as he announced he would donate $250,000 of his $1.4 million award to the foundation.

"We are here to address the families' needs," said Mr. Rose. "Our mission is two fold: Dignity, Honor and Respect to our fallen servicemembers, and care for their families. Without one we would not have the other. The Fisher House will provide us will the capability to better care for the families of the fallen."

The Fisher House will be an eight bedroom facility, which will be built near the Center for the Families of the Fallen. This location will provide them easier access to the services of Mental Health, Chaplains and funeral directors. These services are provided to help support the families in their time of need.

"We want to provide warmth and comfort to these families," said Mr. Rose. "The fallen have served our country, they've given the greatest sacrifice of all and it's our job to make sure that their families are cared for in their time of need. This Fisher House will help us to honor servicemembers' sacrifices and the love of their families."