Ontario District (Syracuse, NY) Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room at the Syracuse Airport (2015-SYR-11)

Members of 4 of the NYSEA Districts met on, August 4, 2015 to tour the Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room at the Syracuse Airport for the purpose of learning more about the facility and to make our District donations to help assist the great work they do in supporting our Military personnel and their families while traveling to and from the Greater Syracuse, N.Y. area. 

Each of the Districts involved; Central District, North Central District, Ontario District and South Central District, all made a donation of $500.00 to the facility for a grand total of $2,000.00. 
  
This facility is operated and funded entirely by donations from various agencies, individuals and companies around the local Central New York area to provide a welcome respite to any and all Military personnel in transit along with their families, as they travel through the area. It is designed to offer a place where they can be comfortable while awaiting transportation.

It is staffed by volunteers who assist the recipients and family members with any help they may need and to provide both refreshments and activities to ease the various shortcomings associated with traveling. There are quiet rooms where they can be away from the hectic activity of the airport, comfort areas where they can relax and use TV and or video games, a fully stocked snack bar with microwaveable foods and snacks along with drinks. There are personal hygiene items available for distribution if needed and friendly staff members who all go out of their way to ensure that our valuable Military members and families are treated to comfort and relaxation. 
  
The Greater Central New York District Elks are proud and honored to be a part of this outstanding effort to assist in the betterment of the experiences given to our Military Heroes and their loved ones in this most worthy of ventures and will continue to support this facility in the future. 

  Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room at the Syracuse NY airport

Left to Right:  Mike Emmerich ST Utica #33 Central Dist; Herb Flint Johnson City #2821 NYS Chm Veterans Svce, South Central Dist; Dan Capella PSP,Oswego #271, Ontario Dist; Mark Schwarz Volunteer, Pat Lyons Volunteer, Tim Kelly PSP Watertown #496, North Central Dist; Sheila O'Connor PDDGER Syracuse #31 and Kevin Merriam PST Syracuse #31 Ontario Dist.

Pat Lyons Volunteer, Tim Kelly PSP, North Central Dist, Mark Schwarz Volunteer

Pat Lyons Volunteer, Mike Emmerich ST Chm, Central Dist, Mark Schwarz Volunteer

 Pat Lyons Volunteer, Herb Flint NYSEA Veterans Chm, South Central Dist, April Schad Volunteer

Randi Matousek Volunteer, Kevin Merriam PST, Ontario Dist, April Schad Volunteer, Sheila O'Connor Syracuse #31 PDDGER

(Submitted by Kevin Merriam PST, BPOE No. 31, August 4, 2015) 11 pts.