The nonprofit Michigan Freedom Center Armed Forces Hospitality Center at Detroit Metro Airport that serves active duty, veterans, reservists, national guardsmen and NATO forces reached its one million milestone last month.
The one millionth guest was Larry McKillop, a retired lieutenant colonel who served at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. He was on his way from Detroit to Denver at the time. As a U.S. Air Force pilot he logged over 16,000 hours of flight experience in aircrafts ranging from F-16s to private crop dusters. He’s a multiple-time guest at the Freedom Center where people find a peaceful, honoring, and welcoming place of rest between flights.
While past fundraising golf outings have been at Selfridge, this year’s outing is at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center in Plymouth, on July 15. A gala event called “The Next Million,” also in Plymouth, is set for April 21. Contact Community Outreach Director Tom Lang at [email protected] for more information. Or see: mifreedomcenter.org
The center has other Macomb County connections.
“We are supported every year by the Selfridge Base Community Council and General Dynamics Land Systems at about $2,500 each annually,” Lang said. “The head of our upcoming gala in April is Kimberly Enders, owner of Enders Financial firm in Sterling Heights. Every couple of years support comes from the NDIA — National Defense Industry Association — which has many members in Macomb County. We did hold meetings in Sterling Heights.”
The airport lounges are located near gate A43 at the McNamara Terminal World Gateway Place, and gate D17 in the Evans Terminal, and have operated since November 2011.
Volunteers are on duty daily.
“Serving one million guests is a monumental milestone,” Ken Pratt, founder of the Freedom Center, a career U.S. Air Force pilot and former Delta Air Lines pilot, and chairman emeritus of the board of directors, said. “However, the real celebration is to honor the hundreds of volunteers that have made this milestone a reality. I have always maintained that the volunteers are the life blood of this organization. From before dawn until late at night – and sometimes throughout the night – the volunteers are there to open the door and greet our guests. A big thank-you goes to all of these selfless and passionate volunteers who have dedicated their time and efforts to ‘serving those who serve us’.”
In 2024 alone, nearly 10,000 hours of operation were staffed by volunteers, keeping the center open for multiple four-hour shifts. They distribute water, coffee, snacks and other comfort items, and are there when visitors use the free Wi-Fi, recliners, a television, flight monitor board, and tables and chairs for games or laptop work.
“Many of our guests don’t have the luxury of an exclusive airline club. Our mission is privately funded through the generous support of investors like Delta Air Lines, foundations, organizations and individuals who help us to meet our annual operating budget,” executive director Mark Ernst said.
The project began during the Christmas season of 2009-10. Delta ticket agent Paul Krystyniak proposed employees of the airline could staff a temporary military lounge for two weeks around the holidays.
“As a service member myself I volunteered to support this activity,” Pratt said. “During the 14 days that area was open, we logged in some 1,500 guests.”
The next holiday season saw more than 2,000 guests over three weeks.
Pratt said it was the impetus and proof there was a need for a service at DTW which was not otherwise being met.
“So, in the spring of 2011 we embarked upon the uncharted course of setting up a full-time military lounge,” Pratt said. “It was a big undertaking. At the same time, along the way we were blessed with the right people, the right ideas and the right resources each step of the way. I refer to the development of the Freedom Center as ‘a series of minor miracles.’ Six months later we opened the doors and welcomed our first guests in November 2011.”
Such success, however, means that the lounge is in need of TLC and updating, and the MI Freedom Center is looking for partner donors to replace worn furniture and update lounge spaces. See mifreedomcenter.org to join the Mission Brigade and donate money regularly or make a one-time donation; or donate your time; or food and beverages and other supplies. Donations can be mailed to: 2581 World Gateway Place, Detroit MI 48242.
Roseville Optimists honor students
As part of an annual Youth Appreciation project, the Optimist Club of Roseville honors elementary school students who are selected by their teachers. The program recognizes the students who have an optimistic outlook, care for their fellow students, reach out to help others, and demonstrate a “can-do” positive attitude. Students receive award certificates and congratulatory lawn signs placed at their homes after two recognition events this month at Roseville Middle School.
This year’s students come from Steenland, Green, Fountain, Kment, Dort, Kaiser and Patton Elementary schools.
“The Roseville Optimist Club has been recognizing elementary students for over 25 years and we believe the event best demonstrates the reason to be an Optimist member,” club secretary Michael Batke said. “Youth Appreciation is the most popular program sponsored by clubs throughout Optimist International, with more than 2,000 clubs participating each year.”
Other programs and service projects the Roseville Optimist Club participates in are: student scholarship fundraising, childhood cancer campaigns, student oratorical contests, activity scholarships, and membership family fellowship activities.
The students include: Makayla Buford, Edward Peak, Mya Rhodes, Winter Scott, Gracie Sevener, Carter Thomas, Aubrey Akram, Jade Haymes, Aubrey Jackson, London Jones, Sawyer Jordan, Mia Massey, Robin Woodward, Dmitri Adams, Ra’Kari Cobb, Xyaire Gentry, Elyse Graham, Tobias Graham, Anthony Harper, Bella’blessing Hicks, A’ja Little, Faith Oliver, Tamia Tingle, Da’Kyi Ayers, Adeline Ball, Willow Bolton, Neveah Evans, Jamal Mack Jr., Kalli Miller, Elijah Moner. Alexis Smith, Marrion Thomas, Audi Worley, Darius Gazoul, Aariah Griffin, Ja’Khari Griffin, Kayden Keil, Avery Walden, Benjamin Yang, Anabella Butrus, Isaiah Calmese, Ava Esquerra, Lydia Hartner, Antonio Herrera, Cody Kunna, Madelyn Meyers, Eli Miles, Parker Petrone, Gage Wioskowski, Jace Zettner, Maria Zito, Malachi Allen, Kendyl Coleman, Carlos Evans, Kayden Faison, Roderick Gillespie, Quentin Hall, Taylor Jones, Bailee Maxwell, Durrell McAllister, Cadence Moore, Chase Sanderfield, Stephen Smith, Kyla Swanigan, Alaynah Wheeler, Abigail Wheeler, Gracie Wright, Ava Belcher, Lucifer Buhl, Liam Buhl, Caleesi Edwards, Swayzee Grimes, Amaris Mason, Kassidy Maton, and Hazel Nelson.
Algonac VFW post holds meat raffle
The Fred Quant Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3901 at 1005 Pointe Tremble Road, Algonac holds a Dearborn brand meat raffle that begins at 7 p.m. April 3. The cost of admission is $20. Tickets include a 10-raffle round, three prizes per round, valued at $75. Snacks are free; sliders are $1. For more information, call Paul Shay at 586-718-5296.
Send news of service clubs and veterans organizations to Linda May at [email protected] or call landline 586-791-8116.
