"Troops can camp at Phoenix airport"

Friday, December 8, 2006

Troops can camp at airport 
Military hospitality room is now open 
By Beth Duckett
The Arizona Republic


Members of the military traveling through Sky Harbor International Airport
will now have a place to relax in between flights, thanks to a new Military
and Veterans Hospitality Room that opens today in Terminal 2. 

The room is a "home away from home," offering comforting amenities such as a
television, a computer with Internet access, books, snacks, drinks and a
game room. It even has a children's playroom crammed with colorful toys, as
well as a fully stocked kitchen.

Sky Harbor is now one of many major airports in the country to offer a room
like this, said officials from the Phoenix Military Veterans Affair
Commission, which helped create the room.  

"We try really hard to make it a comfortable place," said Virgel Cain, a
member of the commission. "It is a quiet safe haven for military members and
their family who come through."

The 40- by 45-foot room, which is divided into five spaces, replaced an
airport office. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday,
but officials hope to expand its hours in the future if they gather more
volunteers and money.

"The room is first-class," Cain said. "I think the thing that warms our
hearts is the fact that we walk in and see the room being utilized."

Since October, when it had an unofficial opening, the room has attracted
about 320 military visitors by word of mouth.

Stranded military personnel looking for a place to stay at night can sleep
in the room until further notice, officials said.

"There was this little gal who was stationed at Fort Huachuca who got stuck
the night before and had to spend the night in the airport," commission
volunteer coordinator Anne Theodosis said. "It made my whole day because she
had a really nice place to spend the night, and that's what the room's all
about."

Sgt. Bob Gindorff, 25, from St. Paul, Minn., stayed at the room while on his
way to Tucson. The member of the Minnesota Air National Guard wasn't sure
where to head after stepping off his airplane and was relieved when he
discovered the respite room.

"It's great. I was pretty stressed out," he said. "I like to know ahead of
time where I'm going. They have refreshments, and it's nice that it's a
one-stop shop to relax and decompress."

The room became a reality thanks to donations from three private sources and
a lease provided by the airport. Airlines have stepped up to cover the cost
of the lease, members of the commission said. 

It will continue to rely on outside donations to pay for equipment repair,
food, drink and satellite services. Volunteers are also needed to greet
guests and keep the space clean. These volunteers run the room, and without
the volunteers the room could not exist.

Those interested are asked to attend a training class and serve at least
four hours a week on a regular basis. 

"In addition to continued fund-raising," Cain said, "we are seeking good,
qualified volunteers that can get behind us and be there for us and, better
yet, for our military vets."

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