Helping Women and Children... MI Freedom Center Style

By Matt Garris and Tom Lang

It’s often the little things – or in this case, the ‘little ones’ – that matter the most to the military and Veteran guests we serve at the Michigan Freedom Center, a military lounge for travelers passing through Detroit Metro Airport each day.

In December, a woman and her child came to the MI Freedom Center at the North Terminal. She stopped by carrying her crying infant, papoose style. As this soldier was trying to retrieve her military ID and a baby bottle for the little one, her baby fussed even more. At that moment, one of our dedicated volunteers jumped into compassion mode and held and cuddled the baby to the point of smiles and coos. This tender moment allowed for the mother to get her things organized, along with a much-needed break, we’re sure, while traveling at an unfamiliar airport.

Doing the little things to say ‘thank you’ to our U.S. active duty and military Veterans is a core mission of the MI Freedom Center. The Centers, with additional locations at the Military Entrance Processing Stations in Lansing and Troy, are a quiet respite and refreshment stop for more than 700,000 military and Veteran guests since the first Center opened at the Delta terminal on Veteran’s Day, 2011. The airport lounges specifically have recliners, free Wi-Fi, drinks, snacks, and other amenities. The small staff and gracious volunteers do their best to be the hands and feet of compassion on behalf of the donors who keep the Freedom Center afloat.

I loved they had bunk beds for anyone needing a nap. This place really has a homey feel, and that’s exactly how we felt...at home.

Perhaps the most critical service of the Freedom Center, and thankfully the least utilized, is our Care Team that helps comfort and aide the families and friends of fallen soldiers returning home to Michigan for the final time. They’ve made the ultimate sacrifice, and our special volunteers provide a wonderful service.

There is nothing ‘typical’ about our volunteers’ experience when serving guests at the Michigan Freedom Center. Still, often it’s something like this account from Kathy, a faithful volunteer: A favorite story of mine is the Marine recruit on his way to Parris Island, South Carolina, who was just one week past his 18th birthday. We talked for a long time when I eventually learned that he had never been on an airplane before! I helped him find his gate for the flight and made sure that he had snacks and water for the flight to Savannah and the bus ride to Parris Island.

An online reviewer, a Marine wife, named Allison, of Dunmore, PA, said: “I was able to feed my baby in the comfort of a nice big comfy leather chair…watch TV and have snacks and coffee,” said. “It was great. They also had clean blankets for anyone to use, which I used for my baby to do tummy time. I loved they had bunk beds for anyone needing a nap. This place really has a homey feel, and that’s exactly how we felt...at home.”

When traveling through Detroit, the Michigan Freedom Center becomes the active duty and veterans’ Home Sweet Home.