Company’s continued support will assist in the building of Fisher House in Milwaukee
OSHKOSH, Wis. (June 3, 2014) — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), took part in a ground breaking ceremony today to celebrate construction of the Fisher House Wisconsin in Milwaukee. The house will be operated by the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides lodging and support for military families as their loved ones receive medical care. It will be the first Fisher House in Wisconsin.
In thanks and recognition for Oshkosh Defense’s long-standing support and advocacy, the Fisher House Foundation welcomed Mark Meservey, vice president of government operations for Oshkosh Defense, to participate in the ceremonial breaking of the ground. Mark also serves on the leadership committee for the annual Fisher House Golf Classic.
“We at Oshkosh Defense are honored to continue our support of the Fisher House Foundation and the important work this worthy organization does to support members of the military and their families,” said U.S. Army Major General (retired), John Urias, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of Oshkosh Defense. “We are excited to play a role establishing the first Fisher House in our home state of Wisconsin.”
The Fisher House Foundation served more than 22,000 military families in 2013 and has assisted more than 220,000 families since 1991. The foundation’s 63 houses are located near major military and VA medical centers across the United States to provide families with quality, complimentary lodging close to their loved ones. Additionally, the foundation runs the Hero Miles and Hotels for Heroes programs, which donate frequent flyer miles and hotel points to bring family members to the side of ailing service members. The Fisher House Foundation also raises scholarship funds for military families and sponsors a grant program that supports other military focused charities.
Since beginning its support of the Fisher House Foundation in 2010, Oshkosh Defense has contributed $450,000 to the organization.
About Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $235 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense is a leading provider of tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services. For more than 90 years, Oshkosh has been mobilizing military and security forces around the globe by offering a full portfolio of heavy, medium, light and highly protected military vehicles to support our customers’ missions. In addition, Oshkosh offers advanced technologies and vehicle components such as TAK-4® independent suspension systems, TerraMax® unmanned ground vehicle solutions, Command Zone™ integrated control and diagnostics system, and ProPulse® diesel electric and on-board vehicle power solutions, to provide our customers with a technical edge as they fulfill their missions. Every Oshkosh vehicle is backed by a team of defense industry experts and complete range of sustainment and training services to optimize fleet readiness and performance.
To learn more about Oshkosh Defense, please visit us at oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®,McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, please visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
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