What he doesn't know, however, is what it's like to be in a hospital with family nearby.

"I was an army hospital patient for 10 months. I didn't have contact with any family," said Dooley, chairman of the Fisher House Committee of the Los Gatos Rotary Club.

So when Dooley visited a Fisher House in January, a home that provides lodging for $10 or less to the families of hospitalized American troops returning from combat, it inspired him to contribute his time and resources to something that could have helped him when he was younger.

Several months later, and less than 60 days away from construction, the Los Gatos Rotary Club has raised $16,000 to be donated to the Palo Alto Fisher House.

The house will be located across from the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital, a designated traumatic brain injury center for troops returning from combat, said Kerri Childress, a communications officer for the Veteran's Affairs Health Care System.

The Fisher Houses, started in 1990 by philanthropist Zachary Fisher, have served more than 65,000 patients and family members. The Palo Alto house will be among the largest of the 33 worldwide Fisher Houses. With 21 suites and 16,000 square feet, it will be more than double most houses, Childress said.

The house in Palo Alto, costing nearly $5 million, would not have happened, however, if not for people like Dooley. "For Dr. Dooley, this has been a mission," Childress said.

Indeed. Dooley is hoping the Rotary Club can raise another $24,000 to reach the $40,000 goal.

Overall, the Bay Area community has already donated $1.3 million--it's hoping for $2.5 million--to the foundation, which is enough to start the construction, said David Coker, executive director of the Fisher House Foundation. The fisher foundation hopes to match local donations.

"We've been humbled by the response of people from the Bay Area. They have not hesitated to help our veterans, and that's remarkable," Coker said.

Although a ground-breaking ceremony was celebrated June 16, Coker said he expects construction to begin soon.

The sites for Fisher Houses are chosen based on the needs of the soldiers. Last year, the Palo Alto VA Hospital treated more than 80,000 veterans.

Many of the families are on their own to find hotels while their relatives are in the hospital, Childress said.

"Some of the soldiers are very seriously injured, and many don't have family incomes that could support weeks and weeks of hotels," she said.

Dooley, who receives care at the Palo Alto VA Hospital, added that some of the nurses have allowed the families to stay at their homes.

Lodging at the Palo Alto Fisher House will be free.

For many families, the house represents a safe place.

"The beauty of a Fisher House is it not only provides a home away from home, but it also provides a homelike environment where families can talk to each other. It's a wonderful support group for them," Childress said.

In addition to family support, the Fisher Houses offer an outlet for the community to show support for the troops.

"Helping these families does not mean you support the war. It's a matter of helping someone in need at a time when help is most welcome," Coker said. The community can do this by donating time, money or by cooking dinners for those staying at the Fisher Houses.

Sixty years ago, when Dooley was treated for a mortar shell fragment in his leg, a Fisher House would have given him the support and family access he needed.

Donations can be sent to Los Gatos Rotary Charities Foundation, P.O. Box 1018, Los Gatos 95030, or call Dr. John Dooley at 408.356.4440 for more information.