Last month, the Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room at Syracuse’s Hancock International Airport marked their first anniversary of operation. The courtesy room has two adjoining rooms to accommodate the troops going through Hancock Airport. The first room welcomes troops, offering individualized and microwaveable snacks and drinks including coffee, soft drinks and bottled water. Next door is the TV/lounge room. There are several comfortable recliners, a large flat-screen TV, a Play Station 2, a laptop computer, DVDs and more. The room is similar to a USO yet is privately funded through donations from businesses, fraternal organizations and individuals. They have no connection to the Department of Defense. The room is named after Cpl. Gregory J. Harris, a local Marine still missing in action from the Vietnam War.
The room is staffed 365 days a year by a dedicated group of over 70 volunteers. One of those volunteers is Dave Kowalski of Clay. Dave has been a volunteer at the room since it first opened in July of 2008. Dave enjoys volunteering because it gives him a chance to say “thank you” to those who sacrifice for our freedoms.
When asked about his most memorable moment at the Courtesy Room, Dave said this about witnessing a welcome home of a group of soldiers returning from Afghanistan: “I just stood back and watched… It was very heartfelt to see these men and women getting off the plane, a very touching and powerful moment to be a part of.”
US Army Sergeant Jonathan Guerra, stationed at Ft. Polk, LA, was recently traveling through Syracuse on his way to Ft. Drum for some additional schooling. He had this to say about the courtesy room: “It’s great what these people are doing here. I really appreciate being able to unwind a little bit before making the drive to Ft. Drum after a long flight.”
Obviously these fine people at the courtesy room are doing an amazing job of caring for the troops traveling through Syracuse to both domestic and international destinations. They are quite proud of this project and we should be as well. This certainly shows the rest of the world the best that local people have to offer.
If interested in donating to the Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room or applying to volunteer, visit their website at GregHarrisMCR.org or call Room Coordinator Loren Davies at 480-9184.
Katie Calzada, 9, is a fifth-grader at Wetzel Road Elementary and a resident of the town of Clay. She wrote this article in response to our request for student reporters in last month’s edition. If you are interested in writing for the Clay Insider, contact us at news@clayinsider.com.
Sep
11
Military courtesy room celebrates first anniversary
Katie Calzada 09/11/09
CATEGORY: General Society
TAGS: Military Courtesy Room, Hancock, student reporter
TAGS: Military Courtesy Room, Hancock, student reporter