FREEDOM CENTER MILITARY LOUNGE OPENED AT MILITARY ENLISTMENT CENTER IN TROY

Supporters of Freedom Center, the military lounge at Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s McNamara Terminal, opened a second Freedom Center lounge on Friday, November 8 in the Military Entrance Processing Center (MEPS) on Kirts Road in Troy.

 “We’ve been blessed with a group of great sponsors, as well as a team of dedicated volunteers, since our original Freedom Center was dedicated on Veterans Day in 2011,” said Kenneth S. Pratt, president of the Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc., (MAFHC), the non-profit corporation which operates Freedom Center.  “While our airport Freedom Center lounge is dedicated to assist traveling members of our military and their families, as well as all veterans, the MEPS facility will serve new recruits and their family members during their enlistment process.”

The new Freedom Center MEPS lounge was officially opened today with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Freedom Center sponsors and volunteers, government and military officials and local veteran service organization representatives.   Sponsors of the new facility include Troy-based Meritor, Inc., Art Van Furniture, Inc., the Masco Corporation Foundation and Rent-A-Center, Inc.  Speakers at the ribbon cutting included:  Major Thomas P. Shields, USMC, MEPS Commanding Officer; Kenneth S. Pratt; Jon Rose, General Manager, Meritor Defense; Diane Charles, Director of Corporate Communications, Art Van Furniture; Cheryl L. M. Phillips, Vice President, Masco Corporation Foundation; Dane Slater, Mayor, City of Troy and Senator Patrick Colbeck, 7th State Senate District and a member of the board of directors of MAFHC.

“Our new Freedom Center in Troy will host some 5,000 new recruits annually as they complete their processing and are sworn in as members of our Armed Forces,” Pratt added.  “Parents, as well as siblings, often accompany their son or daughter during this time.  Our Freedom Center lounge will provide a comfortable facility where they can enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks.”

Since opening in 2011, volunteers at the Freedom Center military lounge in the McNamara Terminal have assisted over 80,000 military travelers and veterans.  The lounge operates 365 days a year and is open from 6 a.m. until late evening, although has frequently remained open overnight when military travelers are stranded by flight delays or cancellations.  The Freedom Center lounge at MEPS will be open Monday through Friday during their normal business hours.

Additional information on Freedom Center is available on their website MIFreedomCenter.org