Freedom Center

During my stopover, I (German) was invited by a US Marine, who was sitting next to me on the plane, to the Freedom Center. At first, I didn’t want to go because I’m not American. But he said, “You serve the people of a friendly nation. You are more than welcome.” After a brief discussion, he convinced me to join him. The older lady who worked there was the epitome of American hospitality and empathy. Although I’ve forgotten her name, I will never forget her as a person! Thank you for your service. You were a wonderful ambassador for America! Encounters like these strengthen our bond across the Atlantic! God bless you. The atmosphere at the facility was very relaxed and welcoming. It almost felt like being in a living room. The selection of drinks and food was also excellent. If I ever find myself at Detroit Airport again, I’ll definitely stop by with a typical German gift ;-) All the best, and thank you USA (Detroit) for this wonderful experience.

Great place for relaxing while at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport 🛫 Excellent TV and couch 🛋. Free snacks. Military veterans welcomed. 🇺🇲

Nice place that all vets are grateful for. However, it has declined and actual lounges are way better in the airport. No snacks. Just water to drink. Old furniture. No desks for computer work. Disorganized. Cases of water everywhere. Not an appealing place visually inside. Needs a massive overhaul.

Very relaxing, only thing I would criticize is that the broken Massage chairs are uncomfortable to sit in and half the chairs couldn’t recline due to broken handles. Other than that I spent majority of my 12hr layover relaxing here.

This is a fantastic resource for vets to chill and rest on long layovers. Me (Marines) and my girlfriend (Army) had a 4 hour layover in Detroit after driving and flying 11 hours from Europe. We were struggling to find a spot to rest, as DTW has very few spots where you can lie down and rest. All of the seating is hard plastic with armrests. Then we came across this place. What a relief! The lady up front was very welcoming and they had fresh popcorn and soft seats. This made our layover 100% better. I do wish they had an option for Venmo or electronic donations. Not so many people carry cash these days.

Always friendly volunteers. A nice, quiet place to rest before your flight with snacks, beverages, and comfortable chairs. If you're a veteran or on active duty, I recommend stopping by to get free (donated) water, coffee, or snacks rather than paying exorbitant prices elsewhere in the airport. Highly Recommended.

Maybe it’s because I had higher hopes for this, I’d never know about freedom centers before (aside from USO) but upon visiting it felt a bit sad inside. Felt like being in a VFW and while I think it’s really awesome to be considerate of the Military and Vets, we deserve a little better. Fresh fruit would be an upgrade. The woman at the entry desk was very kind. It runs off donation, which I shouldn’t have been surprised about, and it wasn’t very busy. It appeared there was only an option for cash donation unfortunately. It is quite small and when walking in the aesthetic is very reminiscent of being in those terribly drab old base buildings - equipped with the smell of those buildings too. It was so quiet when I walked in, even with 8 people in the room, and the TV was turned down so low and without subtitles. It is also on the small side. There are massage chairs for those who need to get some circulation going between flights. All in all, likely would not visit again without good motivation to do so.

Not the friendliest person staffing the front desk, but it was nice to relax. Very comfy lounge chairs. I had to set my alarm for my flight because I knew I'd fall asleep. 😀

Every year I come back to Detroit, when I leave I hope it is through terminal D. The freedom lounge for veterans is a great place. The hospitality provided by these volunteers is the best you'll find in the airport. The cherry on top is I can get Detroit style coneys next door! Thank you freedom center!

The Freedom Center is a private lounge, a relaxing refuge for active and retired military to hang out between flights. "Let's check it out," I suggested to T, an air force veteran. The room is dimly lit with a couple of couches and cushy seats, including those massage chairs you find in nail salons. (I don't know how people find them comfortable or relaxing.) Guests are invited to refuel with coffee and snacks that the center purchases with donations -- there's a kitty at the door -- and items provided by local vendors. We munched on popcorn and passed time watching the Olympics. The people who work there -- I'm assuming volunteers -- are very friendly. The lounge is a nice addition to the airport. They close at about 10 p.m.

This lounge for military and their dependents is where you want to be if you are waiting to board your flight in the DTW airport. It is small but it provides a comfortable space with reclining chairs, a big screen tv, free beverages and snacks and charging areas. It is located in terminal D across from gate D17 and is staffed by wonderful friendly volunteers. So if you're connected to the military give it a try and make a donation to keep these lounges open to our service members and their families who sacrifice so much for our wonderful country. Love it.

Grateful for this small space at the Detroit airport. Free water and other little treats, comfortable chairs, blankets, TV, toys, books, so many little comforts to count. Every service member knows what to expect when you walk through the door, a very sincere welcome from the volunteers--thank goodness for their service! they keep the place clean and stocked. I love walking in because sometimes it looks like a VFW hall with all the hats. I always want to see if there will be a BINGO game one day, lol!

Small lounge for present or past military service members They offer a break and place in Detroit airport to get a snack or light breakfast . Great talk with service the member who had deployed to Vietnam in 1970's. Nice to see the active role of continuing to support our military.

I have only been here twice and each time it was comfortable. The food can be good. The selection of salads to be made are excellent. Service is very good. The most important thing about this lounge is that you can actually relax and it's quiet and peaceful .

I truly believe every airport should have a place like this. I am writing this review while sitting in one of their wonderful massage chairs! I plan on donating to help keep it going. Wonderful place and great staff

Spent a little bit of time in the Freedom Center in the Evans Terminal before my flight back home. It's a humble and cozy spot right next to gate D17. The space has a few small comfy lounge recliners, books, TV, and (best of all) snacks! I always enjoy checking out military lounges in the airports I travel through. Looks like this place also serves Veterans, which is a nice touch compared to USOs. The only thing I wish they had were hot dogs!!!

This was a pleasant surprise. I'm an Air Force veteran and this was available to all whom have served. I believe that the USO is great but unfortunately veterans are rarely allowed. The volunteers where very helpful and pleasant. Anytime I'm at DTW, I will not stop by for comfort and I will donate to keep this place open. Lovely Place!

Plenty of water here. Great place for Vetearn's soldiers and dod employees to stop in and grab a bottle of water and few snacks while waiting for their flights. The staff is volunteers and they are always nice. I wished I lived closer. I would volunteer on the weekends.

This place really is for the military and their families, including veterans not just active duty military personnel. My husband is a former Marine and I was traveling alone with my baby. I called just to inquire and they allowed me in. I showed them a photo of my husband in his dress blues as "proof" but they really didn't care to see it, they were so friendly and welcoming. I was able to breastfeed my baby in the comfort of a nice big comfy leather chair and watch Beat Bobby Flay, oh and have snacks and coffee. 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.

What a great concept !!! A convenient place for all first responders, military, family and dependents. There is a play area for kids, tv, lounge chairs and complimentary snacks. This is a breathe of fresh air welcome. Thank you Detroit for this freedom center. Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters that made this happen.

Unwelcoming experience at the DTW freedom center today. didn't feel welcome or free. the man working told me don't go in the drawers for toothpaste I can only have the snack items out on display nothing in drawers or cabinets. so I couldn't have a toothpaste and there was plenty in the drawer. he also didn't say hello , good morning, no smile. I was the first and only person there, shortly after me a non black family came in that received a big smile and a good morning they went straight in the fridge for snacks that weren't out. definitely treated wrong. it was a bad feeling first thing in the am. people suck

Plenty of large comfy recliners to relax in. They actually have a triple stack bunk bed if you really need to rack out but the recliners themselves are awesome. Funded by private donations and Delta but still very well stocked with drinks and snacks. Also some basic toiletries if you may need something during a long layover. Staff is very friendly. The location is fairly quiet for a military lounge so easy to catch a nap if you need one. Definitely drop a few bucks in the donation box on the way out to keep it going.

I do a few days a month as a volunteer at the Detroit Freedom Center. The outfit was founded by a Delta pilot eight years ago because he, who was also a USAF reserve pilot, believed Detroit's airport, which had no USO, needed to have a lounge and retreat for the many active duty and veterans passing through. We operate on a shoe-string budget. Delta Air Lines provides a lot of support, giving us our space in a prime spot for $1/year, along with supply donations. We also get food from airport restaurant vendors - special kudos to Wendy's, Plum Market, Leo's Coney Island, and several others. The rest comes from our tip jar, located at the entrance, used to buy bottled water, snacks, and other supplies to make our lounge of value to our military clientele. We also get donations from VFW, American Legion, and other private donors who also want to express appreciation for our vets. All of us involved in the operation are here because we value and respect anyone who is serving or has served. Most of us volunteers are also vets and know about budgets and hard times. Our purpose is to bring comfort, cheer and support for everyone who has worn the flag on their sleeve and their families. Sadly, we also help receive and offer our respect for fallen warriors whose remains pass through Detroit. Every time I do a shift at Freedom Center, I go home happier than when I got there because I had the opportunity to do a small bit of service, but also got to meet and talk to the marvelous folks who are carrying the ball for the country and all of us. I consider it a privilege. So when you check in with me, I'll ask you where you came from, where you're going, and do you need anything. Then we'll chat maybe. I truly want to hear your stories. I did 30 years in USAF; eight on active duty and 22 more in the reserves. I retired 3 years ago from being a Delta pilot. Freedom Center is the singular noble thing I do now. I, like all of us at Freedom Center, love our vets.

As a retired vetran, it is warming to know that there is such a place you can take respirite and make new friends. Whenever I travel I always make a stop there and have a chat with the volunteers and make sure I give a donation. The Freedom Center is a real comfort to me; I can relax as I wait on my boarding to start. it is always clean, stocked well, and has a pleasant face to greet you. If you have experienced the Freedom Center you have exprerienced a thrill and a treat. Please make sure you pass the word and make a donation to keep the Freedom Center open. I cannot wait, I am headed there today!

While waiting for a flight out of Detroit we heard the announcement for this center. What an absolute surprise. A comfortable, clean and inviting lounge with a very pleasant attendant. There was fresh coffee, snacks and wonderful recliners. My husband is 20 year retired Army Veteran, so nice to feel appreciated! Thank you DTW and MiFreedom Center.

Very friendly volunteers and the chairs are super comfy while waiting for our flight. Our flight was delayed and the children got cranky- the staff immediately gave them chocolate to comfort them. Thank you!

I want to thank everyone involved for this center. This place is a great unexpected haven I stumbled across on the last leg of a long business trip. Unfortunately I had an 8 hour layover and was already tired and not looking forward to sitting in a loud uncomfortable terminal. I walked in and was kindly greeted and was offered water, coffee, snacks and your faculty. What an AWESOME place to rest, nice and quite, comfortable and friendly staff! This is the BEST place I have ever come across in all the airports around the country! My hats off to all the people who made this happen - if you are veteran, please take advantage - you wont be disappointed!

Thank you to all the volunteers who staff the Freedom Center and proving a little respite to travelers. It's much appreciated.

I wish every airport had one of these! The USO is only open to active duty military members where as the Freedom Center was open to active duty, retired and all Veterans. I didn't have to time to hang out but I stopped in to see what it was all about. They had free food, drinks and a comfy place to relax and pass some time. Maybe next time I go through Detroit I will have some time to hang out here.

I never knew about this place! It caught me eye and was surprise to see that it was a small place to hangout for the lay over. Kinda like a USO but inside the terminal I just showed my CAC and was good to go. Thank you!!!

Nice place for military families and retirees to relax and get a snack or drink between flights. You must have a military ID to get in. Please don't try and bluff your way in (like a lady tried when I was here) if you're in the military or retired military you have an ID! This place runs off donations so help out by dropping some cash in the donation box by the door. This is great for young military families who can't afford $4 for a bottle of water in the airport.

I was so hoping that my travels would have a layover in Detroit, just because of the Freedom Center here. Not to slam the USO but being a Veteran, the USO wont let me in but the Freedom Center lets all Veterans in from any branch and I think any Country. Friendly greeting , immediately felt like family, a nice lounge, food, drink, a couple bunk-beds. Great place

Nice USO type of facility for servicemembers and their families in the Delta Terminal at DTW. TV, couches, bunk beds, and bean bag chairs for your comfort while you're waiting for your flight. Snacks and beverages are free. Open from 0600 hrs, closing depends on flight schedules. Enjoyable and one of reasons the Delta Terminal is preferable to the North Terminal.

If you are a service member and find yourself in Terminal A at Detroit Airport, it's worth stopping here to pass the time. You can almost miss this place if you're not really looking for it, as it's kind of hidden in this alley-like passageway. As soon as you walk in you're greeted by someone who gives you a quick tour and you have to sign in. They offer an assortment of free foods like soft drinks, frozen microwave-able food like hot pockets, ice cream, cookies and freshly popped popcorn. In the living room area, you can relax on one of many reclining chairs while watching a big flat screen TV. Or grab a book or play a board game. They also have free wifi for you laptop or tablet.

Let me tell you something about this place. USO doesn't have a branch here, so a bunch of patriotic Americans came together, got sponsorship, and created this place for us. An open room with squashy couches and even a three-deck bunk bed if you want to catch some Zs. Gets a little squished, but still a service with tea, bagels, and a nice place to relax and recharge both you and your phone. Volunteers are vets and today, even a pilot (four striper Captain) that volunteers between his flights. How inspiring and amazing are these people that support us? As a service member, please some money if you enjoyed what they provided... They did all of this for us.

Happy to have a military friendly lounge at the DTW airport. It's similar to a USO, but this is under the state of Michigan. With limited lounges at DTW, this is a great addition. It's a small space but good enough for something before a flight. They got food, snacks, and drinks. They have seating, TV, and some kid stuff. Overall, I'm just happy there was something to stop by here!

I have been there plenty of times and it had been alright. The last time young ladies got a attitude with me and I told her I would never come to this establishment again. This good was not so good on this visit.

Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters that made this happen. This a great place for traveling veterans. Thank you for serving those who serve.

A very nice place for military to take a quick rest bit while travelling. Coffee, snacks and massive comfy chairs as well as even a bunk bed! The service was fantastic, the gentlemen who checked me in was very polite and I saw him frequently asking other guests if they needed anything. There is a departures monitor on the wall for easy checking of flight status as well.

So many of us here outside, checking and hoping to please get serve. Today is January 02 one of the busiest day to travel. So many flights cancelled or delayed. I am a veteran and currently a military wife. The sign at your door says be back at 6pm we have been here for an hour. Our flight is delayed and we were hoping to rest with our kids. Please next time put the right info at the door. Very disappointed. Also the announcement keep playing inviting us to come to your facilities and it is closed. Also, your website says is open.

Convenient and comfortable for those that served in our military. Snacks, drinks , coffee, games, television, small area for children, internet, magazines and books. Everything for a short or long layover. Easy electronic sign in.

This is a great little respite spot in the middle of a busy airport. Big comfortable furniture, complimentary snacks & drinks, flight departure status board, suitable for traveling families - they even have bunk beds! Please note that this lounge is staffed by all VOLUNTEERS and stocked with donations. So, if it's not open every day or right on time - or the coffee station doesn't have your super double frappy frap - don't complain about it here. There's a Starbucks a 1/2 mile down the concourse where you can stand in line for 45 minutes and a paid employee will take your money and fill your order. Many thanks to the State of Michigan, the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, MAFHC and all of their volunteers for providing this space and these amenities. It is greatly appreciated. If you're an eligible patron, I urge you to stop in. If you're not, please consider dropping a few bucks in the donation box on your way by - it's just inside the door. CPO - USN (Ret)

The freedom center is such an amazing little space. I was traveling with my 20 month old son. We missed our flight and had to wait 8 hours for the next connect. One of the ladies in the toy shop recommended my son check out this area. Glad we did. There is a play area, tv, and complimentary snacks. This is a breathe of fresh air. All military, family and dependent welcome. Thank you Detroit for this freedom center. Such a good thing for the military and family.

Great little hide away for our service members ! Comfortable quiet with a small variety of snacks and drinks. This place runs on donations and not affiliated with the USO - so be sure to drop off a dollar or two!

I've taken advantage of the Freedom Center when traveling alone with my young children. Just the space to use a clean restroom that isn't busy (because the toddler is scared of loud toilets) and grab a water is life changing. Thank you to all of those who make this possible for military families!!!

An unexpected but welcome respite while traveling through Detroit. They cater to all military personnel (active or otherwise). Snacks and beverages are complimentary, with a larger conference room space decked out with bunk beds, large sofas and plenty of electrical outlets to get your electronics charged up before your flight. Thumbs up! Like Marv says, it's non-USO and volunteer run - very grateful indeed!

Thanks for all of the great support to the Veterans that swing though in Detroit! I enjoyed my relaxing time there and came out nourished. Fun!

This is my first time in the Freedom Center which I'm absolutely loving at this time. Upon walking in you're greeted personally and thanked for your service. You also have to sign in and show proof that you are a former or current military member, but after you show proof of your service your welcome inside. This quaint little Lounge contains TVs relaxation chairs a variety of food such as chips Gatorade carrots water V8 Bagels cereal Etc. The lounge is semi quiet and is a great quick stop for people who just need a place to relax prior to getting on their flight. The Freedom Center is a great way to honor our veterans and our current service members.

Awesome place for veterans to hang out while waiting for a connector flight. Free food, drinks, gifts. They even have beds for those tired defenders returning from an OCONUS trip. All volunteer run and supported. Great people.

Not a USO facility and all of it is privately funded. It is smaller than some of the USO airport facilities that I have been in, but it does an amazing service. Thank you to all of the volunteers. I had a cup of coffee, ate a bagel, and sat on a couch for about 40 minutes waiting for my flight. Great for servicemen traveling on orders and needing a refuge from the clutter and confusion.

Nice comfortable little stop between flights. Refreshing beverages, great snacks, comfortable seating, outlets to charge phone, and warm helpful greeter! Thank you to those who make this possible.

What a joke. This freedom center was not open on a Wednesday morning. We waited outside for 2 1/2 hours sitting on the floor waiting for someone to open the doors. Another military couple couldn't wait any longer so they walked out of security to go all the way into another terminal to find the USO. It said online hours open at 6am, we got here at 5:30am and it is now 8am and still not open for veterans. Get your shit together Detroit Airport. Your not doing a good job at "Serving those who served". Shame on you TSA we saw about 20 of you walk by and do nothing.

I was traveling with my young son and we had a 3 hour lay over. I liked for a USO on the website and couldn't find one, but I heard through the PA that there was a Freedom Center. It's not the most spacious, but the furniture is comfy leather, they have bunk beds if you're really stuck here, and the staff is very courteous. For such a large airport I would have thought the USO would have something here, but this privately funded facility is almost a mirror image of a USO. Thanks for the hospitality.

If you're a vet and have some time while you are in DTW, stop in. It's absolutely alot better than sitting at your gate! And they have a monitor that scrolls all the outgoing flights, so you won't miss yours. Super nice volunteer staff and more comfortable seating than the Delta lounge, plus it's free for vets! Thank you volunteers!

Fantastic people! They welcome all vets, AD, and dependents (USO does not). Great place to relax when waiting for a flight. Thank you for everything!

Loved this place while traveling. It was so quiet and had recliners to get comfy in. They had beverages and snacks to choose from along with a keurig machine. The volunteers were so nice and I will definitely be back! Thankful to have a place to go other than the gate.

Thank you for these people for their support. Complimentary water, snacks, and Wi-Fi for military personnel.