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Military Ball Committee aiding Fisher House

Times Union
By Sheila G. Small
04.28.08

In your otherwise excellent coverage of the various ways in which the federal government has abdicated its responsibility to care for its military personnel -- active duty and retired, regular, reserve and National Guard -- you have missed an excellent local example.

For the past seven years, members of the Military Ball Committee have sold raffle tickets at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany. Proceeds from that raffle have gone to The Fisher House, a "home away from home" for patients and families of seriously ill or injured patients receiving treatment at the VA.

All who meet the eligibility criteria may stay without cost. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

The Albany Fisher House is on the grounds of the VA hospital, and yet the Veterans Affairs this year refused to allow the sale of the raffle tickets that have allowed the committee to contribute close to $20,000 to the Fisher House. This was not a local decision; it was a "headquarters" decision, yet one more that displays the lack of concern for those who have served and are serving in our armed forces.

Raffle or no raffle, I for one will continue to support the efforts of those members of the Military Ball Committee, all veterans/retirees, all of whom volunteer their time and effort to this cause, thereby incurring no administrative costs. And I will continue to support the services of the Fisher House by sending a contribution to the Military Ball Committee, Box 471, Slingerlands, NY 12159.

The ball will be held May 10 at the Italian-American Community Center.

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