DTW / Detroit: Military Lounge - "Freedom Center"
Jan 10, 2013, 11:30 am
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DTW / Detroit: Military Lounge - "Freedom Center"
Hello from the Freedom Center near the center of the McNamara Terminal at DTW.
Link:
http://www.miarmedforceshospitality.org/index.html
It's small but offers snacks, comfortable chairs, TV, a book library, toys for kids to play with, and just a place to take a break for military folks.
Worth checking out if you're at DTW!
As of Feb 2013:
FREEDOM CENTER
2581 WorldGateway Place
Detroit, MI 48242
Located inside DTW McNamara Terminal, Next to gate A43
Hours of Operation 0600 - 2100 EST Daily, Extended hours available when needed
For access, call (734) 858-4489 between 2100 and 0530
Moderator's emphasis
Link:
http://www.miarmedforceshospitality.org/index.html
It's small but offers snacks, comfortable chairs, TV, a book library, toys for kids to play with, and just a place to take a break for military folks.
Worth checking out if you're at DTW!
================MODERATOR NOTE===============
As of Feb 2013:
FREEDOM CENTER
2581 WorldGateway Place
Detroit, MI 48242
Located inside DTW McNamara Terminal, Next to gate A43
Hours of Operation 0600 - 2100 EST Daily, Extended hours available when needed
For access, call (734) 858-4489 between 2100 and 0530
MISSION STATEMENT:
Serving those who serve us...
Our mission is to provide a world-class reception and hospitality center for military personnel at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Our goal is to provide a relaxed, home-like atmosphere that embraces and meets the needs of traveling service members and their families. This facility is supported and staffed by individual volunteers and organizations from surrounding communities and the airport. Our doors are open to individuals on active duty, National Guard members, Reservists, and service academy cadets. We also welcome military spouses, dependents, and retirees.
Serving those who serve us...
Our mission is to provide a world-class reception and hospitality center for military personnel at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Our goal is to provide a relaxed, home-like atmosphere that embraces and meets the needs of traveling service members and their families. This facility is supported and staffed by individual volunteers and organizations from surrounding communities and the airport. Our doors are open to individuals on active duty, National Guard members, Reservists, and service academy cadets. We also welcome military spouses, dependents, and retirees.
Last edited by JDiver; Feb 14, 2013 at 8:06 am Reason: add moderator note
Jan 12, 2013, 11:53 am
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Feb 13, 2013, 4:17 am
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Freedom center military lounge marks very successful first year
It is my honor and pleasure to have played a role in establishing Freedom Center, the military lounge at DTW. Our military and their families don't have the luxury of enjoying the quiet and comfort of a Delta Sky Club, American Admirals Club or United Red Carpet Rooms. Freedom Center provides them with a little big of comfort during their often long and multi-leg relocations to new duty stations or when returning to the U.S. on leave or from duty in Afganistan. We just published our annual report.
v/r CAPT John McCandless, USN (Ret)
In the meantime, you might enjoy reading the news release we put out on our first anniversary. When you travel through DTW, stop in and take a tour of Freedom Center.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom Center, the military lounge located at Gate A43 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s McNamara (DELTA) Terminal, celebrated its first year of operations this past Veterans Day with the unveiling of a commemorative banner to thank service men and women and veterans for their service to our country.
“During our first twelve months of operations, Freedom Center has hosted over 30,000 members of our military, their family members and our veterans during their travels through Detroit,” said Senator Patrick Colbeck, (R-7th district) and board member of Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc., the non-profit corporation which operates Freedom Center. “I salute our volunteers and our generous sponsors who have played a tremendous role in making their long travels a bit easier, while thanking them for their service in keeping our country strong.”
Freedom Center opened their doors on November 1, 2011 and was official dedicated on Veterans Day 2011 – 11/11/11 – at 1100 hours. Operated by a dedicated group of volunteers, the lounge offers our traveling military, as well as all veterans, a quiet respite with comfortable couches, recliners, complimentary coffee, juice, soft drinks and bottled waters, snacks, free wi-fi and even a triple bunk bed to grab some shut-eye. Freedom Center operations are made possible by generous financial contributions of corporations and individuals, led by Meritor, Inc. and the Michigan Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association. Other major corporate supporters include: Oshkosh Defense, Lapeer Industries, Pratt & Miller Engineering, Cadillac Castings, Merrill Technologies Group, Raymond James & Associates, Rent-A-Center, Delta Air Lines, Masco Foundation, Richard and Virginia Vallee, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, Marketing Associates and GraphiColor Exhibits. Additional financial supporters include RAVE Computer and the Arsenal of Democracy Chapter, Association of the US Army.
“Meritor has a long history of supporting the armed services members and their families,” said Tim Burns, vice president, Defense, Specialty, Industrial for Meritor. “We are honored to provide support to our nation’s warfighters and their families as they travel through Detroit. The courageous stories behind the lives of those the Freedom Center serves is both remarkable and unforgettable.”
The commemorative banner unveiled today will stay in place until a week after this Veterans Day weekend to permit DTW travelers to express their thanks to our military visitors.
“I applaud Senator Colbeck, Delta Captain Ken Pratt, Navy Captain John McCandless and other board members of the Michigan Armed Forces Reception Center for establishing Freedom Center Military Lounge for our returning heros and their families,” said Major General Vadnais, Adjutant General and the Director of Military and Veteran Affairs for Michigan. “A big thanks as well to the Wayne County Airport Authority for providing space and to the sponsors who have given generously to support those who have given so much.”
Freedom Center is staffed by volunteers seven days a week, 365 days a year. Operating hours are from 6 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. However, many nights Freedom Center has operated around the clock when travelling soldiers, sailors and Marines are stranded due to flight delays or weather issues.
v/r CAPT John McCandless, USN (Ret)
In the meantime, you might enjoy reading the news release we put out on our first anniversary. When you travel through DTW, stop in and take a tour of Freedom Center.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom Center, the military lounge located at Gate A43 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s McNamara (DELTA) Terminal, celebrated its first year of operations this past Veterans Day with the unveiling of a commemorative banner to thank service men and women and veterans for their service to our country.
“During our first twelve months of operations, Freedom Center has hosted over 30,000 members of our military, their family members and our veterans during their travels through Detroit,” said Senator Patrick Colbeck, (R-7th district) and board member of Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc., the non-profit corporation which operates Freedom Center. “I salute our volunteers and our generous sponsors who have played a tremendous role in making their long travels a bit easier, while thanking them for their service in keeping our country strong.”
Freedom Center opened their doors on November 1, 2011 and was official dedicated on Veterans Day 2011 – 11/11/11 – at 1100 hours. Operated by a dedicated group of volunteers, the lounge offers our traveling military, as well as all veterans, a quiet respite with comfortable couches, recliners, complimentary coffee, juice, soft drinks and bottled waters, snacks, free wi-fi and even a triple bunk bed to grab some shut-eye. Freedom Center operations are made possible by generous financial contributions of corporations and individuals, led by Meritor, Inc. and the Michigan Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association. Other major corporate supporters include: Oshkosh Defense, Lapeer Industries, Pratt & Miller Engineering, Cadillac Castings, Merrill Technologies Group, Raymond James & Associates, Rent-A-Center, Delta Air Lines, Masco Foundation, Richard and Virginia Vallee, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, Marketing Associates and GraphiColor Exhibits. Additional financial supporters include RAVE Computer and the Arsenal of Democracy Chapter, Association of the US Army.
“Meritor has a long history of supporting the armed services members and their families,” said Tim Burns, vice president, Defense, Specialty, Industrial for Meritor. “We are honored to provide support to our nation’s warfighters and their families as they travel through Detroit. The courageous stories behind the lives of those the Freedom Center serves is both remarkable and unforgettable.”
The commemorative banner unveiled today will stay in place until a week after this Veterans Day weekend to permit DTW travelers to express their thanks to our military visitors.
“I applaud Senator Colbeck, Delta Captain Ken Pratt, Navy Captain John McCandless and other board members of the Michigan Armed Forces Reception Center for establishing Freedom Center Military Lounge for our returning heros and their families,” said Major General Vadnais, Adjutant General and the Director of Military and Veteran Affairs for Michigan. “A big thanks as well to the Wayne County Airport Authority for providing space and to the sponsors who have given generously to support those who have given so much.”
Freedom Center is staffed by volunteers seven days a week, 365 days a year. Operating hours are from 6 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. However, many nights Freedom Center has operated around the clock when travelling soldiers, sailors and Marines are stranded due to flight delays or weather issues.
Last edited by Jenbel; Feb 13, 2013 at 6:29 am Reason: removing links and emails
Feb 13, 2013, 6:47 am
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CaptJohn1655 - welcome to FT, and what a good idea. However, not really on topic for Communitybuzz!, so i've moved it over to our Midwest Forum.
Jenbel
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Jenbel
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Feb 14, 2013, 7:59 am
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Moderator action
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Captain.
Thanks for giving us the rundown a year after the Freedom Center was opened at DTW / Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and the newsletter.
We have our own way of organization here, so to be sure the maximum use is made of your information, we have moved it to the Midwest Forum and merged it into the existing thread on the Freedom Center for member convenience. That way, anyone searching for information will find it all in this thread.
JDiver, Senior Moderator
Thanks for giving us the rundown a year after the Freedom Center was opened at DTW / Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and the newsletter.
We have our own way of organization here, so to be sure the maximum use is made of your information, we have moved it to the Midwest Forum and merged it into the existing thread on the Freedom Center for member convenience. That way, anyone searching for information will find it all in this thread.
JDiver, Senior Moderator
Feb 14, 2013, 8:06 am
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Dec 12, 2014, 6:32 pm
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Delta expands their support of freedom center
DETROIT, December 12, 2014 -- Delta Air Lines has expanded its support for members of the military and their families traveling through Detroit Metropolitan Airport during the holiday season by becoming the Presenting Sponsor of the “Holiday Military Salute” at the Freedom Center military lounge.
The airline’s support of the Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. makes possible a month-long Holiday Military Salute program at Freedom Center, located adjacent to Gate A43 in DTW’s McNamara Terminal. As Presenting Sponsor, Delta is ensuring that our military and their family members enjoy the comforts of a world-class military lounge, including complimentary soft drinks, coffee, juices, bottled water, snacks and sandwiches during their holiday travels.
“Delta Air Lines has been a wonderful supporter of Freedom Center since we opened our doors in November of 2011,” said Ken Pratt, president of Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. “Our lounge will be greatly appreciated by the many military members and families during this holiday season.”
Since its opening, the military lounge has hosted over 120,000 military, family members and veterans. The Holiday Military Salute program, which runs from December 15 through January 15, coincides with the busiest time of the year for Freedom Center.
“We are very proud to sponsor this year’s holiday military lounge along with Freedom Center,” said Andrea Newman, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs for Delta. “This wonderful facility offers a respite from the busy travel season for members of the military, veterans and their families. We are honored to serve and assist them during the holiday travel period.”
Freedom Center volunteers staff the lounge from 6 a.m. until flight operations are completed for the day. If winter weather results in unexpected delays, Freedom Center remains open overnight.
Delta Air Lines has also been designated the Official Airline of the Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. In addition to the McNamara Terminal lounge, the non-profit group also operates a lounge in Troy, Mich. for the benefit of new recruits and their family members. Additional information on Freedom Center is available at www.MIfreedomcenter.org.
The airline’s support of the Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. makes possible a month-long Holiday Military Salute program at Freedom Center, located adjacent to Gate A43 in DTW’s McNamara Terminal. As Presenting Sponsor, Delta is ensuring that our military and their family members enjoy the comforts of a world-class military lounge, including complimentary soft drinks, coffee, juices, bottled water, snacks and sandwiches during their holiday travels.
“Delta Air Lines has been a wonderful supporter of Freedom Center since we opened our doors in November of 2011,” said Ken Pratt, president of Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. “Our lounge will be greatly appreciated by the many military members and families during this holiday season.”
Since its opening, the military lounge has hosted over 120,000 military, family members and veterans. The Holiday Military Salute program, which runs from December 15 through January 15, coincides with the busiest time of the year for Freedom Center.
“We are very proud to sponsor this year’s holiday military lounge along with Freedom Center,” said Andrea Newman, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs for Delta. “This wonderful facility offers a respite from the busy travel season for members of the military, veterans and their families. We are honored to serve and assist them during the holiday travel period.”
Freedom Center volunteers staff the lounge from 6 a.m. until flight operations are completed for the day. If winter weather results in unexpected delays, Freedom Center remains open overnight.
Delta Air Lines has also been designated the Official Airline of the Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. In addition to the McNamara Terminal lounge, the non-profit group also operates a lounge in Troy, Mich. for the benefit of new recruits and their family members. Additional information on Freedom Center is available at www.MIfreedomcenter.org.
May 18, 2015, 5:30 pm
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Looks like there will be a second Freedom Center in the North Terminal soon.
Romulus, Mich., May 11, 2015 — An additional Freedom Center military lounge will soon be established at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, thanks to a generous financial grant from the Masco Foundation.
“The Masco Foundation has been a tremendous supporter since we established the first Freedom Center military lounge within the McNamara Terminal at DTW in November 2011,” said Ken Pratt, president of Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. (MAFHC), the non-profit organization behind the Freedom Center. “By providing a special grant of $100,000, we will be able to build out, open and operate a second Freedom Center lounge at the airport, this one to benefit traveling members of our military, their families and our veterans flying in and out of DTW’s North Terminal.”
Romulus, Mich., May 11, 2015 — An additional Freedom Center military lounge will soon be established at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, thanks to a generous financial grant from the Masco Foundation.
“The Masco Foundation has been a tremendous supporter since we established the first Freedom Center military lounge within the McNamara Terminal at DTW in November 2011,” said Ken Pratt, president of Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. (MAFHC), the non-profit organization behind the Freedom Center. “By providing a special grant of $100,000, we will be able to build out, open and operate a second Freedom Center lounge at the airport, this one to benefit traveling members of our military, their families and our veterans flying in and out of DTW’s North Terminal.”
