Military personnel, Veterans, and their families, frequently travel throughout the country on assignment and relocation. Many of our country’s major airports have a club, lounge, or courtesy room, available to military personnel; some of which are funded and staffed by the USO, or an Airline.
Smaller regional airports (such as Buffalo) do not usually meet the minimum requirements for a USO. While these smaller and regional airports do not transition the numbers of military personnel to meet the USO criteria for participation, the need for such a facility still exists, albeit with a smaller footprint.
Due to normal flight scheduling between flights, Transitioning Military personnel & First Responders often have significant wait times between connections. Military personnel often travel alone. Younger personnel often have limited financial resources. Transitioning Military personnel frequently use the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport as they await connecting flights.
That is why the WNY Freedom Lounge was created in the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, to provide and furnish this space for Military Personnel & Veterans. The Lounge is operated and staffed 100% by volunteers, and receives limited government support or funding.
