Guest Comment for Fisher House

June 16,2007
Fort Lewis Fisher House
9999 Wilson Avenue
Fort Lewis, WA 98433

Dear Jodi Land, Fisher House Manager
On Tuesday May 29,2007 my family received word that my
brother, SSG JasonT ourtillotte was to undergo emergency
surgery for a blood clot that was discoveredin his brain with in the next twenty four hours. That same day my mother and my father were on a plane heading for Fort Lewis, Washington. The next day my sister and I were on a plane to join my parents at the side of my brother. Two weeks prior to this incident we knew Jason had suffered from a brain bleed of some kind while in lraq and was flown to Germany before it was decided he was stable enough to return to the United States. It appeared that his incident was minor and he was recovering well. It was not until reaching Fort Lewis that the bloodclot was discovered.

My family and I were taken by surprise and had little information except Jason was to undergo surgery. We were provided lodging in the Fisher House at Fort Lewis and learned that the Fisher Foundation helped provide airfare. On behalf of my family and I, we wantedt o express our gratitude and appreciation for what your organization provides for military families. The Fisher House helped my family and I concentrate on spending time with Jason rather than worrying about hotels and transportation. We were a short walk from Madigan which made transporation a non issue. I was so impressed to see how much at home the Fisher House makes families feel, providing food, a means of preparing food, a library, movies, video games and toys for families with children, a means of washing laundry and providing a safe and clean place to sleep. The atmosphere bestowed really helps to put you at ease when there. We met other families staying in the Fisher House that had troubling stories of their own regarding loved ones. Discussions with other families had a therapeutic value of its own. It really demonstrated to us how much support your Foundation provides and to how many people you touch during a time of need. A person could literally arrive with nothing but the clothes on their back to be with a loved one and survive comfortably while staying in the Fisher House. Thank you for everything you do. I am a career fire fighter for the Brewer Fire Department in Brewer Maine near where I live. The fire fighters make up IAFF Local Union 2162, the Brewer Fire Fighters. Hours before my plane departed for Fort Lewis, the guys called me and told me to stop by the fire station before I left. Local 2162 donated money to my family to help out with financial concerns; to pay for a hotel,food, air fare, whatever financial needs that may arise to reach and stay in Washington while with Jason. I had no idea we were staying at the Fisher House and had less of a clue what the Fisher House was. Now I do, and as I expressed before, we are very thankful for everything you provide. After returning to Maine, my family wanted to contribute back to the Fisher House Foundation, so the money donated by Local 2162 to the Tourtillotte Family was returned with the intent to making that same donation to the Fisher House Foundation to support the Fisher House located at Fort Lewis in Washington. Along with this letter you will find a donation check from Local 2162, Brewer Fire Fighters for the total of $600.00.

Please take this money and continue helping all the families you have been aiding during their troubling times of need.

Thank you.
Respectfully,
Erik Tourtillotte

PS: At this time SSG Jason Tourtillotte is recovering very well after his surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.