Michigan Freedom Center at Detroit Metro provides free food, place to relax for military members and veterans
Detroit Metro lounges provide snacks, place to relax for military and vets
Military members and veterans can relax before their flights at Detroit Metro Airport at the Michigan Freedom Centers. These centers in both terminals provide a quiet space, along with food and drinks for travelers and their families.
ROMULUS, Mich. (FOX 2) - Military members and their family members passing though Detroit Metro can get away from the hustle and bustle of airport travel at the Michigan Freedom Center.
Located in both the McNamara and Evans terminals, the centers provide a place to relax, snacks, drinks, and camaraderie for those currently serving, as well as veterans.
"It's just so quiet and peaceful in here, and it's a great way to spend the time before traveling," said Kaleb Buckingham, who visited the Freedom Center while on his way to North Carolina to continue his training as a new Marine.
Buckingham described the hospitality lounge as a mini apartment.
The Freedom Centers include recliners, snacks, and kitchen space - all free for active service members, veterans, members of allied forces, and family members traveling with them. The centers are also open to Gold Star and Blue Star families.
Tom Lange, with Michigan Freedom Center, said it all started more than a decade ago when Delta travelers, mainly pilots, were disappointed that DTW didn't have a USO-type lounge.
"So, they pooled their resources and got other employees involved, and Delta gave us their former conference room as our first and only hospitality lounge at the time," Lange said.
A few years later, a Freedom Center opened in the terminal serving the other airlines at Detroit Metro.
Since then, the Freedom Centers have welcomed nearly 1 million travelers, and they expect to serve their millionth person early next year.
Proving for the service members takes money - about $225,000 a year. If you'd like to help the Freedom Center's mission, you can donate here.