My pal Cookie recently informed me of a project he’s been involved with. Working with the TSA, he noticed that “many active Military personnel who had been dropped off at the Airport to catch their flights to whatever duty station they were bound for, sitting in the terminal for many long hours, sometimes overnight.” It became obvious pretty quickly that during these long waits or delays, our fine troops could not even get a bottle of water, soda, or a hot cup of coffee. And certainly there was also NO entertainment (TVs, etc.) with which they could occupy their time. The USO was soon contacted to see about getting a “Military Hospitality Center/Lounge” for military personnel to use in the airport. Unfortunately the USO was unable to help.
Well, never tell a Seabee that something CAN’T be done!
With the Seabee motto, “Can Do” in mind, Loren (Commandant Marine Corps League, Emerald City Detachment), Leroy (US Army Retired) and Cookie (Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Island X-19) set out to change this!
Cookie details so much in his post, so please continue to read about this amazing project there!
Thanks to material donations and assistance rendered from many organizations, the Military Hospitality Room is slated to open July 3rd. I’ve no doubt the Grand Opening will be well-received and GREATLY appreciated by those in the military who have to pass through the Syracuse, Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, NY!
Great job, Cookie! Keep us updated!!
Cookie
Nicki, you are truly an Angel for posting this. From all of us on the project, Thank You ever so much for your assistance and involvement and may God Bless…. :grin:
Cookie’s last blog post: What the USO WON’T do, the Marines, Seabee’s and Army "Can Do"…A Hospitality Room.
zoey
that is a terrific idea. we need them in every major hub airport in the country i think.
zoey’s last blog post: be careful what you ink for
Barnett
As a Navy seabee coming up from Gulfport, MS I was not expecting anything special at the dirty syracuse airport. I would have missed the courtesy room had it not been for a very friendly volunteer who asked if I would like a snack while I waited for my ride home. Please let everyone know that to the left of the baggage claim area is a small, roped off courtesy area free to traveling military and their families. They aren’t stingy with hugs either. Thank you volunteers! :grin: