Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
MI Freedom Center One Millionth Guest News
One Millionth Milestone GALA EVENT
Please Join Us at the Elegant and Historic Saint John's Resort in Plymouth
This version updates the date and time of our event... we heard back from some supporters that the graphic showing such details did not come through for everyone. We apologize for the technology glitch...
Please join us April 21 at 6:00 p.m. as we celebrate together our
One Millionth Guest Milestone,
and learn more about our future plans.
Dinner, appetizers, drinks, entertainment of Scottish Bagpipes and more.
Tickets: $175 each, $300 pair
Advance Registration required.
Please contact Cathy at:
Attire: Business, red, white and blue
Those wishing to learn about sponsorships
contact Tom Lang at: tom@mifreedomcenter.org
Photo caption: Freedom Center founder Ken Pratt (left) thanks volunteer Len Rose for his continuous service at the military lounge since its opening in 2011. Celebration event MC and Board member Mike (Tiger) Greiger at the podium.
As we have shared, if your home had one million visitors over the years, it would likely look a little tired and worn and in need of sprucing up.
This fundraiser is to support our Troops past and current.
2581 World Gateway Place
Detroit, MI 48242
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. | 2581 World Gateway Place | Detroit, MI 48242 US
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Friday, March 7, 2025
Friday, February 28, 2025
MI Freedom Center One Millionth Guest News
NEWS RELEASE
One Million Milestone Reached at MI Freedom Center
The One Millionth guest of the Michigan Freedom Center came through our doors recently just as quietly as all those before them, looking for a peaceful, honoring, and welcoming place of rest between flights at Detroit Metro Airport.
The way it's supposed to be.
The Michigan Freedom Center, also known as the Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, has been Serving Those Who Serve Us since November of 2011. Located near gate A43 at McNamara, and gate D17 in the Evans Terminal, the MI Freedom Center has been a place where volunteers on a daily basis have provided care, comfort and courtesy to traveling military and their families, ranging from active-duty, to Veterans, to NATO Forces, Reservists and our National Guard.
"Serving one million guests is a monumental milestone," said 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. "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.'
"But serving one million guests is just the beginning," Pratt added. "We're looking forward to serving many millions more. With the continued support of our community of sponsors, donors and volunteers, we will reach that goal."
In 2024 alone, nearly 10,000 hours of operation were staffed by volunteers, keeping the Centers open for multiple 4-hour shifts beginning at 6:00 a.m. and running into the evening hours.
It's often said that the general public is able to say 'thank you' to our military by supporting the service of our volunteers who distribute water, coffee, snacks and other comfort items, while the Centers provide free Wi-Fi, recliners for resting, a television, a flight monitor board, tables and chairs for games or laptop work and the like.
"As a way to thank and offer gratitude to our nation's one percent, the MI Freedom Center provides a dignified, quiet place of rest, comfort and courtesy for those who have given their selfless commitment to us," said Executive Director Mark Ernst. "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."
The One Millionth guest was identified as Lt Col (Ret) Larry McKillop, who served in the U.S. Air Force and was on his way from Detroit to Denver. (Photo at top of page) He has logged over 16,000 hours of flight experience in aircraft ranging from F-16s in the Air Force, (formerly stationed at Selfridge ANGB in Macomb Co.) to private crop dusters. He has been a multiple-time guest at the MI Freedom Center over the years.
How It Began:
"During the Christmas season of 2009-2010 one of the Delta Ticket Agents, Paul Krystyniak, proposed that Delta employees could staff a temporary military lounge for two weeks around the holidays," Pratt explained. "As a service member myself I volunteered to support this activity. During the 14 days that area was open we logged in some 1500 guests.
"The next year (Christmas season 2010-2011) the Delta employees renewed their efforts and again opened the (temporary) military lounge. This time we served more than 2000 guests over a three-week period.
Pratt said this was the impetus and proof there was a definite need for this type of 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 fulltime military lounge," he 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."
The Next Million:
The MI Freedom Center's One Million milestone is very important and it shows the military lounge is appreciated by our guests! Please join us in honoring the next million guests who have given so much to our communities, states and nation.
To get ready for our next One Million we need to refurnish and maintain the quality of the Freedom Centers we have in each terminal. Anyone can imagine if they had one million guests come through their house it could also be in need of some TLC and updating. The MI Freedom Centers are looking for partner donors to help us replace worn furniture, update our lounge spaces and provide a high quality experience for our guest travelers who have given so much!
Please help us celebrate this amazing milestone at our fund-raising GALA at Saint John's Resort in Plymouth...Details below...
Freedom Center founder Ken Pratt (left) thanks volunteer Len Rose for his continuous service at the military lounge since its opening in 2011. Celebration event MC and Board member Mike (Tiger) Greiger at the podium.
Please join us as we celebrate together our
One Millionth Guest Milestone,
and learn more about our future plans.
Dinner, appetizers, drinks, entertainment and more.
Tickets: $175 each, $300 pair
Advance Registration required.
Please contact Cathy at:
Attire: Business, red, white and blue
2581 World Gateway Place
Detroit, MI 48242
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, Inc. | 2581 World Gateway Place | Detroit, MI 48242 US
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
VFW Riders Events
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Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Michigan Veterans News & Resources for Dec. 28, 2024
Happy Holidays from MVAA
All year round, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) stands for those who served.
As we close out the year, we want to share a few of our accomplishments and to remind all Michigan veterans and their families that we're always here to support you.
If you're a Michigan veteran or family member, call 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838) to get connected to your earned benefits. If you're a veteran in crisis, call 988 and press 1 to get help.
Watch the full video on MVAA's YouTube channel.
Help MVAA learn what makes a veteran-friendly community
MVAA has partnered with Altarum, a non-profit research company, to conduct a survey of Michigan veterans to determine the characteristics of a veteran-friendly community.
As veterans, your experiences good and bad, are valuable to helping us determine what makes a community veteran-friendly. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Click the link below to take the survey and share your insight. The data collected will be used to plan and implement additional services for veterans and their families in Michigan.
Survey closes Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
Retired military paydays for 2025
Military retiree and annuitant pay day is always on the first business day of the month. If the first of the month is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, retiree pay day will occur on the prior business day, and annuitant pay will occur on the next business day. The following list of pay days can help you plan your bill paying. Learn more at Military.com.
Retiree Pay Dates for 2025
MONTH
DIRECT DEPOSIT DATE
January
Friday, Jan. 31
February
Friday, Feb. 28
March
Tuesday, Apr. 1
April
Thursday, May 1
May
Friday, May 30
June
Tuesday, July 1
July
Friday, Aug. 1
August
Friday, Aug. 29
September
Wednesday, Oct. 1
October
Friday, Oct. 31
November
Monday, Dec. 1
December
Wednesday, Dec. 31
VA releases 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report analyzes Veteran suicide data from 2001 to 2022, with 2022 being the most recent year for which data is available.
Our top clinical priority is preventing Veteran suicide. We use evidence-based research and suicide analytics as the foundation for our programs and initiatives. Our richest data related to Veteran suicide comes from our annual report.
Read the full article at VA News | Health.
Common schemes targeting veterans: Disability & pension benefits, home loans & housing
Many recipients of these benefits are targets for fraudulent activity. Scammers use a variety of methods to either swindle veterans out of earned benefits or convince them to apply for benefits they are not eligible for.
Home loan or housing scams may involve mortgage lenders, brokers and other entities making false promises; credit organizations charging excessive fees or making false promises to provide free services. Scammers may also offer to provide you with home repair or offer to assist you with services with the intent to manipulate and/or steal from you.
See your 2025 VA disability pay rates
The 2025 Department of Veterans Affairs monthly disability rates for veterans with a rating of 10% or higher are available to review. These amounts are effective Dec. 1 of each year and are tax-free.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments are made to veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to veterans whose service made an existing condition worse.
You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (such as a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (such as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service.
Visit Military.com to see the 2025 rates.
LGBTQ+ Health Program has a newly updated website
The VA is dedicated to providing health care for all veterans, including LGBTQ+ veterans, in an affirming and welcoming environment. VA staff and providers will respect your identities and offer routine health screenings, immunizations, and other services such as hormone treatment, tobacco cessation, mental health, suicide prevention, geriatric care, and more to ensure LGBTQ+ veterans receive the care they need and deserve. VA providers are trained to know risk factors that impact your healthcare due to your sexual orientation, gender, race, age, and other individual factors.
Visit the updated website at VA.gov/LGBT.
Michigan Treasury Alert: Fraudsters using fake letters in collections scam
Michigan taxpayers with past-due tax debts should be aware of an aggressive scam making the rounds through the U.S. Postal Service, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury).
In the scheme, taxpayers receive a letter about an overdue state tax bill that requests individuals contact a toll-free number to resolve the debt. The letter threatens to seize a taxpayer's property — including bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, real estate, refunds and cash — if the debt is not settled.
The piece of correspondence appears credible to the taxpayer because it uses specific personal facts pulled directly from the internet and public records, as well as has an official-looking "DR-1024" form number. The scammer's letter attempts to lure the taxpayer into a situation where they could make a payment to a criminal.
Learn more at Michigan Department of Treasury | Newsroom.
MDARD encourages owners to help keep pets safe this holiday season
As Michiganders put the final touches on their decorative displays, holiday menus, and travel plans, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding owners of some of the best ways to keep their pets healthy and safe this holiday.
Keep pets safe this holiday season by following these six easy tips:
- Happy Tummies: Avoid feeding pets people foods.
- Avoid Temptations: Keep holiday decorations out of reach.
- Search No More: Make sure pets have proper identification.
- Destress and Decompress: Have a quiet space for your pets.
- Cleared for Take-off: Ensure your pet is fit for travel.
- Spread Only Joy: Make sure pets are up to date on their vaccinations and keep them home if they are sick.
Learn more at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development | Newsroom.
Navigate holiday mishaps with help from DIFS
As we celebrate the holiday season and close out 2024, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) recommends taking a few minutes to review your insurance policies and other important financial information. A few minutes now can help ensure that your family has the protection you need going forward and avoid potential headaches during the holidays. This is also a good time to make sure you have a plan, such as a dedicated emergency fund, in case you need to pay your insurance policy's deductible or copay in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Learn more at the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services | Newsroom.
Christmas trees for fish and wildlife habitat? There are better options
Each year, Michiganders purchase millions of live Christmas trees. When the holidays are over though, many people wonder if there are beneficial uses for their trees rather than sending them to a landfill. The answer is yes — there are many ways that your old Christmas trees can keep on giving as habitat, but it's important to think carefully about the best way to do so.
Learn more at Michigan Department of Natural Resources | Newsroom.
Michigan Office of Attorney General aims to protect Michiganders during the holiday season
- AG issues consumer alert on scanner law protections
- AG issues consumer alert on risks of drop-shipping
- AG issues holiday gift card scam alert as part of holiday scams campaign
- AG issues consumer alert on sudden business closures
- AG warns consumers about holiday payment apps and scams
- AG reminds consumers to check return policies before heading to the store
- AG provides guidance on how to file a consumer complaint
Free flu shots for veterans
Eligible veterans can get a no-cost flu shot from a nearby VA clinic or within your community from one of nearly 65,000 in-network pharmacies or urgent care locations. Flu vaccines are usually available September through April. Use the online VA locator for a location near you.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE
ARE IN CRISIS:The Veterans Crisis Line is staffed by caring, qualified crisis responders who are there to help. Many of these responders are veterans themselves.
Online Resources
LEAN ON US:
Call 1-800-MICH-VET
(1-800-642-4838)
Visit Michigan.gov/MVAA
Follow Us on Social Media
This email was sent to bgonza59@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Military & Veterans Affairs · 3411 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. · Lansing, MI 48906
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