[June 7, 2017] As I traveled about several states over the past four days, I was lucky to come across the Freedom Center in the North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. My wife and I have traveled in nearly every major airport in the continental U.S. and look forward to stopping by to visit USO facilities. The Freedom Center was built at the Detroit airport because no USO was located there.
I met a Black Hawk helicopter pilot who was in Iraq at the same as I was. We swapped stories about the war and how we saw the best in our service members (and yes, civilians too). The heat, the noise, the excitement and fear of combat had made us both something better than we had been when we arrived for the first time.
This center doesn’t exist by accident or simply by donations (although they are important). The Freedom Center exists because one man saw a need and acted upon his desire to meet it. That need was a place for traveling service members, veterans, and their families to have a place to relax in a home-like atmosphere. I can attest personally to the success of those who manage and provide the daily support to make it all happen. You can read more about their mission here (see link).
Delta Airlines is a major reason for the success of the center. In fact, it was one of Delta’s pilots who saw the need and acted on it. No one waited around for someone else to step up and do something so important. Frankly, it took guts and determination to take on such a massive project and then do the hard work to keep it going.
This is the embodiment of real leadership. It took overcoming obstacles that seemed insurmountable. From an original estimate of $100,000 to put a functioning center in place at the Detroit airport (significantly underestimated) to staffing, managing, and keep the donations coming, those involved have stood their time with a rucksack full of challenges.
In the estimation of everyone I’ve met there, they are a huge success. The helicopter pilot and I discovered that he had flown me about northern Iraq on several occasions as we looked for places for the upcoming “surge.” We mourned the loss of those we personally knew and were killed in action. The brotherhood of those who share this common bond is hard to describe. My wife says it best … their connection is beyond rationalization.
The Freedom Center made it possible to relive those good moments even if it were for only a few moments. Their Facebook Page is here; take a tour of it and post a “Like” if you desire. Thanks.
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