Author: Joe Public

The motto for our Fisher House at Eglin is “keeping families together” for hope and healing.  In this story, it could be said that we were “keeping families from sleeping in vans” when their babies both came early a few years apart.  Both babies are doing well and Mom and Dad were able to have peace of mind and a place to stay.

Hear in their own words through an email we received today.

(photo is from baby 1, Asher, born 2 1/2 years ago at 26 weeks)

“Hello Mia. I’m not sure you remember me, but about 2 1/2 years ago, my wife and I had a son born at 26 weeks at sacred heart in Pensacola. My wife almost passed away during that time, and you helped us out tremendously during that time.

Just recently, on 18 July, we had another preemie. He was alot further along, and was almost 7 lbs at birth. He only had to spend about 19 days in NICU. You helped us out again this time.

I wanted to reach out and personally thank you. I will be forever indebted to you for everything you’ve done for us. “Baby 2″ was discharged last night, and we checked out at sunup and are now back in Alabama. During his NICU stay, I had to leave and come home to graduate college. Without you, my wife would’ve been sleeping in a van in the hospital, as she was determined not to leave him.

Again, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for us. You truly are a guardian angel!!!!”

As we near our Eglin Fisher House’s 10th birthday on September 11, we are celebrating #carecontinues. On Thursdays for the next 90 days, #thankful is our focus. We have great mission partners and last year at our 12th Annual Helping Heroes Gala, Jeremy Boeing, 96th FSS led a Git Up Challenge and taught WEAR celebrity, Laura Hussey. What a fun night supporting our military families during a medical event. We are #thankful for these fun folks who have big hearts for serving others.

Watch Jeremy’s video showcasing his team. 

Our Fisher House on Eglin is turning 10 on September 11. On Thursdays for the next 90 days, #thankful is our focus. Each year, we host a Helping Heroes Gala which takes a great army of talented folks to support. We are #thankful for our photographer Alanah Gardner. If you need a local photographer, she’s the best! alanahgardner.com

Every little bit counts – When you shop at AmazonSmile and choose our Fisher House at Eglin, charitable donations quickly add up. Click here. 

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Staff Sergeant TJ Pasch has been in the Air Force for 16 years and is originally from Sedalia, Missouri.  Sergeant Pasch is a Services Craftsman and currently serves as the Assistant Manager at the Breeze Dining Facility at Eglin Air Force Base.  During his Air Force career, he has also been stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy and Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.  Sergeant Pasch has worked in many positions within the career field, ranging from a Missile Field Chef, Chef Evaluator, and Fitness Center Noncommissioned Officer in Charge.  In 2019, Sergeant Pasch was awarded the Air Force John L. Hennessey Travelers Award for his superior performance during the Annual Air Force Food Service Evaluation.

Sergeant Pasch has been on three deployments with the most recent deployment being to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.  During this deployment, he served as a Contracting Officer Representative where he worked hand-in-hand with 4 different career fields and members from 10 different countries.  Additionally, he also forward deployed to Afghanistan to work with the Civil Engineers to repair the runway and secure the perimeter which was the Air Force Central Command’s number 1 safety concern.  For his efforts, Sergeant Pasch was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal with a Combat device.

Our Fisher House at Eglin has an amazing body of supporters and includes some very engaged community leaders. One of those is Jerry Williams, President/CEO of Eglin Federal Credit Union, our volunteer treasurer.and today is his birthday, He and his lovely wife Jean both bless our military families and the community in big ways.

Jerry Williams

EFCU donates gift cards.

For nearly a decade, EXOS has supported U.S. special operations forces with tactical training programs. Working with special operations personnel, EXOS has helped hundreds of service members return from devastating injuries through the Accelerated Return to Duty program.   More about EXOS here.

Our Fisher House on Eglin supports these warriors and this program in partnership with SOF Missions and Portofino Island Resort for their temporary lodging during this treatment.

In February, Fisher House of the Emerald Coast Inc hosted a caregiver spotlight event at the Air Force Armament Museum featuring Jennifer Nelson, military spouse of wounded warrior Capt. Nate Nelson, USAF, Ret. Family members and professional caregivers were invited and honored for their role in offering hope and healing, courtesy of the White-Wilson Community Foundation Inc. As event plans were finalized, an unrelated inquiry from the Villagomez family was received regarding volunteer opportunities for a teenage military dependent stationed with her family at Eglin AFB.  After a little conversation about ways to help, it was discovered that Floralyn, the daughter, was a gifted artist and the idea for her to create a token of appreciation for Jennifer speaking about her experience was born. Jennifer’s husband Nate, who suffered a spinal cord injury from a rocket blast in Afghanistan when Jennifer was 6 months pregnant, has no movement below his chest and limited use of his hands. Jennifer stayed at two Fisher Houses during Nate’s recovery and their daughter, Eva was born while in the comfort of one of those Fisher Houses.

A few inspirational photos were shared and the final result was this family portrait, unveiled to the Nelson family.  Engaging volunteers in meaningful ways is important and connecting these two military families contributes to the ripple effect, talking points emphasized during the evening regarding the ripple of Nate’s injury forward to the artful blessing by Floralyn.  See all photos here.

Photos courtesy of Carolina Miah Photograhy, isn’t she awesome?  @carolinaQphotography