Stars and Stripes

Dutch2

I received the following story today. Story line is dated June 16, 2005.
"Denzel Washington and his family recently visited the troops at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. This is where soldiers that have been evacuated from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States, especially burn victims. They have buildings there called Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a hotel where soldiers' families can stay for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base but as you can imagine, they are almost completlty filled most of the time. While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they give him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He took his check book out and wrote a check for the full amount right there on the spot. The soldiers, here and overseas, were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it really warmed their hearts to hear it. The question on eveyones minds at BAMC and other military locations is why do Alec Baldwin, Sean Penn, Modonna, and other Hollywood types make front page news with their anti-everything American crap and this doesn't even make page 3 in the Metro section of any newspaper except the base newspapter in San Antonio. A true American and friend to all in uniform."

HRinNH

What a great actor and generous person. The media is hype-crazy and this didn't register above a 2.1 on their 'scoop' scale. Maybe someone should tell Oprah.

LivindonSouth

Another question I have is why does not the US Government build a ten story hotel to house these families? Why would there be no room at the inn when the government could contract to build 50 of these units tomorrow?

Parabeaglex2

Because the US Government did not anticipate the quantity of wounded from this ill-advised war (IMHO). Otherwise, I'm sure that there would have been a significant number of rooms available for the families of the soon-to-be-dead and wounded.

Besides, if the government did build them, you would have hundreds of ten-story buildings spanning the continental US to warehouse the relatives of the National Guardspeople, Reservists and Active Duty relatives and we just can't support that.

HRinFL

I saw this on Snopes. It is partly true. Denzel did visit the base, evening participating in an award ceremony for wounded soldiers. He did tour one of the houses and asked how much it would cost to build one. However, he did not write a check on the spot (he didn't have his checkbook). He did right a "sizeable" check when he returned home and he and his wife have joined the board that is involved in providing this service to the families of our soldiers. It is refreshing to see someone of Denzel's stature and influence giving selflessly to those in need. A good example of someone with the means doing something that has a positive effect on others, instead of using position gained to spread negativity.

National Guard

Don, the gov't doesn't usually get involved in philanthropy. If they built a 10 story facility for families of wounded to stay at, then everyone would just complain what their tax dollars are used for!!!!!! Fisher houses are a private foundation (accepting contributions from the public of course) that were started when wife of a Chief of Naval Operations asked Mr. Fisher (a real estate developer) to help with the need for temporary lodging facilities for families at major military medical centers. It's only been around since the early 90s. You too can contribute!