Volunteer reflects on 54 years of dedication at Armed Forces Service Center in MSP Airport
The Armed Forces Service Center opened nearly 55 years ago, and is currently located inside the C concourse at MSP. AFSC is a Minnesota nonprofit that serves the military, but is not connected to the military.
Jeanne Morford recalls volunteering the first day the so-called "military lounge" opened.
FSC was open 24 hours a day for more than 49 years up until the pandemic. More volunteers will allow the center to be open to more veteran, retired, and active-duty military members.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Every week, Jeanne Morford makes her way through Terminal 1 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and retired Sgt. Major Vic Gage does the same. Instead of flying, their destination is the Armed Forces Service Center- a place for new military recruits, veterans, retired service members and their families to relax while traveling.
"I often hear is that they say, 'Wow, this is the nicest USO we've seen.' And I said, 'Well, we're not a USO, we are a Minnesota nonprofit that we serve the military, but we're not connected to the military in any way.' And they're very impressed," says Morford.
The backstory
In 1969, Nancy Purdum- Hall's mother, Maggie Purdum, had the idea of creating a private space for traveling members of our military. During the Vietnam War, Maggie's son Scott told her about sleeping on the floor of an airport and using his duffle bag as a pillow.
"This is a 40 some year old Wayzata housewife trying to get a chunk of the airport from a, you know, some big deal people? And she was working on it and working that one back away and don't take no for an answer," says Nancy. "She was about to give up when he was killed, and with him came a note. It said 'don't give up.'"
Scott's mom didn't give up. A few months later on Nov. 22, 1970, the first military lounge opened. Morford recalls serving hot dogs and organizing pool tables, and playing cards for traveling members of the military. Now two locations later the space has expanded. Food, showers, bunks for rest offer everyone from new recruits to veterans a comfortable place while traveling.
"We are very strict about knowing what time they need to get up, because we don't want them to fall asleep and miss a flight," says Morford. "I guess I've always admired people who are in the military and I wanted to do something to help, to show my appreciation for their service, and that's why I got involved and stayed involved."
What you can do
Volunteers for AFSC must be at least 21 years old. A designated parking area and an airport badge with background checks are included in the process.
Volunteer Duties include:
Welcoming traveling military guests
Checking eligibility identification
Limited food preparation
Offering center amenities
Light housekeeping
Other miscellaneous activities
Find more information on volunteering here.
What's next
The goal of the AFSC is to get back to keeping the doors open 24 hours, but more volunteers are needed to do so.
"It's not uncommon if you've got 20 young recruits coming through that, you know, many of them haven't, haven't flown before. Or if they did, they were with mom and dad that were kind of shepherding through the airport. So it's just an extra level of, of kind of security for them that they've got somebody very knowledgeable with getting them getting their boarding passes, helping them get through security, helping them find their way around the airport," says AFSC president, Rick Dale. "It's not uncommon for some snafu to take place. A name doesn't match up with a boarding pass or orders, and our volunteers have done it long enough that they know how to work with the airlines to basically get the young person off to wherever they're going, East Coast or West Coast for their basic training."
AFSC is located at MSP Terminal 1 on the second floor at the end of Concourse C. For more information on the AFSC click here:
The Source
The Armed Forces Service Center.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Associated Press
Delivering More Than Packages: FedEx Interns Give Back Through FedEx Cares
On July 24, more than 100 FedEx interns and team members gathered in Memphis to participate in a meaningful day of service—packing 10,000 snack packs for U.S. troops being deployed or stationed around the world. This hands-on event was part of the Intern FedEx Cares initiative and was hosted in collaboration with the United Service Organizations (USO), a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country throughout their service. The snack packs—carefully filled with familiar comforts like M&Ms, granola bars, Prime hydration packs, and other treats—were designed to bring a small but powerful reminder of home to those currently or about to be deployed. FedEx interns worked alongside team members and FedEx Military Fellows to assemble each pack with care, knowing that their efforts would directly reach service members already deployed, or as they boarded buses and planes for deployment. The atmosphere was filled with both energy and purpose as interns lined tables, passed down items, and sealed each kit. Intern Yuyu Yang described the event as 'a fun and heartwarming experience,' sharing that 'it was incredible to see so many people come together with great energy, dancing, smiling, and assembling snack packs with care.' Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, FedEx interns turned their focus to local children in need by volunteering at Light of Life Rescue Mission, a nonprofit that serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness. In collaboration with Feed the Children, interns packed 150 brand-new backpacks filled with school supplies, hygiene items, and nutritious snacks as part of a Backpack-N-Go event sponsored by FedEx. Each backpack was prepared with care to ensure children had the essentials they need to start the school year with confidence—everything from notebooks and pencils to toothbrushes, applesauce, and juice. The items were destined for children in Light of Life's programs, including their foster care outreach. Intern Jummie Agboola shared, 'It was a simple act, but one that carries deep impact by giving a child somewhere a reason to smile, even if we may never meet them or know their name.' Her words captured the spirit of the day—a small moment of service with lasting meaning. To expand the reach of this initiative even further, some interns participated virtually in volunteer events hosted over Zoom. One virtual session supported Ronald McDonald House Charities, where interns recorded audiobooks for hospitalized children. After a brief kickoff, participants broke into small groups to read and record a variety of classic children's stories. The goal was to bring a little joy and comfort to young patients through the power of storytelling. Interns selected familiar favorites like 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' and 'The Giving Tree,' creating audio versions that could be played for children spending time in hospitals—some of whom may not have family nearby or may be facing long recovery journeys. Intern Ajay Adhithiya Ohm Nathan reflected on the experience, sharing, 'Service like this means a lot to me. Although I may never get to see the children that are going to listen to these audios, I still feel good knowing I had a positive impact for them.' The event demonstrated how small, thoughtful acts can connect us with others in deeply meaningful ways—no matter where we're located. Across every location—on the ground or online—FedEx interns embraced the opportunity to serve, reflect, and connect. These events were more than service projects; they were moments of unity, empathy, and purpose. Interns weren't just learning about corporate values—they were living them. And for this summer's intern cohort, that spirit of service will stick with them long after their internships end. Written by Casie Cottrell, FedEx Marketing & Communications Intern—Originally from Lebanon, TN, Casie is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a summer intern on the FedEx Brand Experience team. Reflecting on her time at FedEx, she shared, 'I was really drawn to FedEx because of the strong sense of culture and how they truly prioritize people in the workplace and the community. Events like these really remind you how meaningful it is to come together and make a positive impact right where you are.' Casie Cottrell, a senior at UT Knoxville and FedEx intern, said, 'FedEx's commitment to its people really stood out to me. Experiences like this highlight how meaningful it is to give back as a team.' Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from FedEx
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Boston Globe
Award-winning AP photographer Bob Daugherty captured history with speed and persistence
In a 43-year career, he covered nine presidents, 22 political conventions, the Watergate hearings, the Paris Peace Talks over the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and presidential trips overseas. He also covered dozens of high-stakes sporting events including the Olympic Games, Masters Tournaments, and Kentucky Derby races. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up J. David Ake, who retired as AP's director of photography, said Mr. Daugherty also became a 'tack-sharp leader' focused on helping photojournalists do their best work. Advertisement 'His goal was to make everyone who worked with him or for him better,' Ake said. 'Because he understood what it took to make a good frame and get it on the wire, no matter what, he was always there to lend a hand, make a suggestion, or just run interference. And it didn't hurt; he was the kindest man you will ever meet.' Mr. Daugherty learned the power of photography early as he distributed a community newspaper to local farmers. He later recalled one of the recipients telling him, 'You know I can't read, but I sure like the pictures.' Advertisement After the family moved to Marion, Ind., Mr. Daugherty shot pictures for his high school yearbook, which led to a job with the local Marion Chronicle-Tribune. He next worked at the Indianapolis Star, where he met Stephanie Hoppes, a staff writer. They were married on Dec. 7, 1963. With no money to pay for college, Mr. Daugherty later said, 'I earned my junior college degree at the Marion Chronicle, bachelor's degree at the Star, and master's with the Associated Press.' Although the couple traveled extensively in retirement, Stephanie Daugherty said she never accompanied her husband on his overseas work trips, such as Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China in 1972. 'He was very dedicated to doing his best and he didn't want me as a distraction,' she said. Persistence, timing, and speed were keys to Mr. Daugherty's success in Washington. Hearing that Johnson was writing a speech on a Saturday in the spring of 1968, Mr. Daugherty badgered a press aide until he was let in to shoot a haggard, open-collared LBJ writing the speech declining his party's nomination. President Johnson, working on his speech in the White House Cabinet Room in Washington, on March 30, 1968. Bob Daugherty/Associated Press Mr. Daugherty positioned himself for a straight-on view of Nixon flashing 'V for victory' hand signs at the door to a helicopter on the White House lawn, minutes after becoming the first president to resign in 1974. When Carter grasped the handshake of Israel's Menachem Begin and Egypt's Anwar Sadat after the signing of a 1979 peace treaty between the two countries, Mr. Daugherty captured the moment in nearly identical color and black-and-white images. At the time, this required him to use two separate cameras. Advertisement When Carter visited Kentucky in July 1979, other photographers ditched what was expected to be a routine motorcade to an event at a school. But Mr. Daugherty stayed, catching the normally staid Carter seated on top of the presidential limousine to greet well-wishers. He later said that photo was a favorite among all the images he made of US presidents. 'You must stay alert when you're with the president,' Daugherty said. 'You must be prepared.' President Carter leaned across the roof of his car to shake hands along the parade route through Bardstown, Ky., on July 31, 1979. Bob Daugherty/Associated Press 'Bob was a legend,' said Pablo Martínez Monsiváis, assistant photo chief for AP's Washington bureau. Asked about an iconic photograph, Mr. Daugherty would describe all the planning that went into the shot or simply say, 'I got lucky.' 'If anyone was lucky, it was me who got to work with him,' Monsiváis recalled. In 2009, the White House News Photographers Association presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also a soccer coach and swim-meet official for his son John, said his wife, and in retirement never missed a chance to watch the sun set over the Morse Reservoir, where the couple lived.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Yahoo
Oak Park High School unveils Vietnam healing wall to honor fallen classmates
#KansasCity #news #Vietnam #VietnamWar #history Oak Park High School officially unveiled its 'Healing Wall' on Saturday, a memorial honoring alumni who served in the Vietnam War, including 12 who never returned home. The wall is the result of a three-year effort by Vietnam veteran Cary Marshall, a member of Oak Park's Class of 1967, who envisioned a permanent tribute to fellow classmates who served. Solve the daily Crossword
