With the federal government shutdown threatening to stall death gratuity payments and other related benefits, the Fisher House Foundation moved forward to ensure that families of fallen service members would receive their entitlements. The foundation, which provides home-like situations for service members and their families who face hospitalization or other pressing personal situations, put up $100,000 to cover the cost of such payments pending the reopening of the government. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel thanked the organization in an Oct. 9 statement, and promised to reimburse the expenses upon the end of the shutdown.
