Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Many veterans and their families travel a long way to get health care at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake. It can be a very stressful time, but now those families have a home away from home where they can stay and find support.
The newly-dedicated Fisher House is one of more than 55 in the U.S. and Germany. Its mission is simple: give the families a comfortable, free place to stay while their veteran gets care in the hospital.
"It eases a lot of stress," explained CaSandra Herring, the Fisher House's first guest. "You're never alone. The main thing is you're never alone."
Herring came to the house in early January. Her husband Burnell, an Army veteran, is on a heart pump, awaiting a transplant at the VA. The Fisher House lets her visit her husband often.
But, just as important, the families staying there become one supportive family.
"Some have lost their husbands, and I was there to try to help console them," Herring said.
The house consists of 20 suites, each with a private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Guests prepare meals together in a large kitchen and gather in other living areas.
As soon as you walk in, you can tell it feels much more like a home than a hotel. That atmosphere really carries over for the families' healing.
Ken Fisher, CEO of Fisher House Foundation, said, "They help each other on the bad days. They share joy on the good days. They'll help each other cook and clean."
Wednesday, Gov. Herbert joined other VIPs for the dedication and tour.
The Fisher House Foundation broke ground in July, completed construction in November and started to make a difference for Herring and other families early last month.
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System director Steve Young, said, "The excitement, the appreciation, you can see it in their eyes, you can hear it in their voice. This home is special."
That's exactly what CaSandra Herring needs right now.
"We cry together, we pray together. I think the Fisher House is one of the best things they could have given us," she said.
The Fisher House was a gift to the VA, funded through a private campaign, now run by the VA.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
