NASA Ames to lodge Iraq vets’ families during hospital visits in California

NASA Ames to lodge Iraq vets’ families during hospital visits in California

Relatives of veterans injured in the Iraq War now can stay in NASA Ames Research Center’s employee exchange lodging at Moffett Field, Calif., at reduced or no cost, while the families visit injured relatives at a nearby veterans’ hospital.

The NASA Ames Exchange Council is allowing relatives of injured service members to stay at the NASA Exchange Lodge at reduced cost while the Iraq War veterans are under treatment at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, Palo Alto, Calif. This will enable families to visit their loved ones — sometimes for extended periods — and offer vital support during the service members’ recovery, without the family having to incur the potentially overwhelming financial burden of lodging in California’s high-cost Silicon Valley.

“Palo Alto is a very expensive place to stay, and I know our nurses and social workers have struggled to help the families of these service members with accommodations and other needs during their stay here,” said Elizabeth Freeman, director, VA Palo Alto Health Care System. “With this commitment from NASA Ames, a lot of pressure and worry will be lifted from the families and our staff. I am so grateful,” she added.