Fisher House Steps Up for Family of Fort Hood Shooting Victim

Fisher House Foundation operates homes where families of active-duty soldiers and veterans can stay at no cost while their loved ones receive medical treatment at military or VA hospitals for injury, illness, or disease. 

For the past several years, 4Patriots and the Patriot Health Alliance have made monthly financial donations to this worthy organization, as well as essential supplies to many of the Fisher Houses.

This year, we committed to donating  “$1K a Day” to charitable organizations that support American veterans and their families. In addition to financial donations, we donate emergency-response and health products to organizations in need. Under this initiative, our support for Fisher House Foundation continues.

Following is an article published in a recent edition of The Patriot, the official magazine of Fisher House Foundation, Inc., written by David Nye.

Hero of Fort Hood shooting reflects on Fisher House support

“Breaking news: Mass shooting at Fort Hood. And in the foreground of the television screen was the 1st Medical Brigade building, which I knew was where Pat worked, in that small building,” John Miller said.

It was his first warning that his son, Army Maj. Patrick (Pat) Miller, was in danger. John would soon learn from his wife that their son had been shot while trying to save his fellow soldiers.

Pat was working in his office, trying to wrap up his Wednesday afternoon and get back home when he learned that there was an active shooter on base. He went to get the other soldiers nearby to shelter in his office, which was behind two sets of doors with locks, but the first soldier he tried to save turned out to be the shooter. 

He was hit inches from his heart and spleen. Still, after getting away, he fought through the pain and kept finding soldiers and sending them back to his office where they would be safer.

When he was evacuated to emergency surgery, Pat’s wife, Ashley, worked to alert his parents, eventually reaching Pat’s mom as she ate dinner with a friend. Pat’s siblings and in-laws rushed to be by his side.

John and his wife arrived at the base a few days later, while Pat was still in the ICU but was expected to make a full recovery. When they arrived, they were surprised by the Fort Hood Army Fisher House at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.

“We felt so cared for and respected and felt like we were being treated as family members, that it was first-class accommodations,” John said.

“It was good for me to have them there,” Pat said, “just to have them see me and so I could see them, to make sure that they were taken care of.”

Both Pat and his parents had good reason to be worried about each other. Pat was still recovering from the shooting, and his mother was fighting multiple sclerosis.

But the amenities at Fisher House, the professionals at the medical center, and the hospitality of Fort Hood allowed all of them to know that everyone was safe. 

“It was just an amazing experience, and they lit up when they talked to me about it,” Pat said.

“We were able to just walk across the parking lot, to get to the hospital to be with Patrick,” John said.

“You know, you really felt as part of one larger family,” John said.

Pat and John were so appreciative of Fisher House’s role in his recovery that, in 2017, they began hosting an annual concert in Western New York to benefit Fisher House Foundation and other military-focused nonprofits.

Pat and John had to think outside the box to get things started. Pat was assigned to Hawaii at the time, but he worked with local authorities, got sponsors, and raised about $20,000 for Fisher House Foundation and Homes for the Troops. The concert grew in 2018 and 2019.

The 2020 concert was delayed due to COVID-19 concerns, but the family is looking forward to when they can re-start the tradition.

Since his recovery, Pat has been promoted to lieutenant colonel and taken command of a battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. He and his wife have welcomed two children, Harper and Bennett.

By the Numbers

The 92 Fisher Houses are near military medical centers and Veterans Administration hospitals in the U.S., Germany, and the United Kingdom. 

It’s estimated the program has saved military and veterans’ families over $525 million. That’s in out-of-pocket expenses for lodging and transportation. 

More than 27,000 families were served by Fisher Houses in 2021 alone. The daily capacity at Fisher Houses around the globe is 1,300 families. The number of lodging days offered is now up to over 11.5 million.

Fisher Houses are typically 5,000 to 16,800 square feet each. They have anywhere from eight to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a dining room and a living room.

‘My Way of Giving Back’

The newer Fisher Houses are 100 percent handicap accessible and include elevators. Toys for children are also provided.

The Houses are donated to the U.S. government by Fisher House Foundation under the leadership of Ken Fisher. 

Ken is the chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. His great-uncle, Zachary Fisher, founded the organization.

“I didn’t serve in the military,” Ken Fisher said. “I didn’t wear the uniform. And so, for me this is some small way of serving. My way of giving back.” 

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to this organization may visit FisherHouse.org and click on “Donate.”