Armed Forces Service Center - American Legion Post #40

    The Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) was founded by Maggie Purdum on November 22, 1970, as a tribute to all those who serve after her son - Naval Aviation Technician Petty Officer R. “Scott” Purdum – died in Vietnam.

    The Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) is an “all-free” stop located at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) offering a warm welcome for traveling active duty military (including National Guard/Reserve traveling on orders), their dependents, former POWs, Purple Heart Recipients, and Medal Of Honor Recipients. We also warmly welcome Retirees and their dependents on a space-available basis. Current ID cards must be presented for entrance. Accepted forms of ID can be found at Entrance Criteria – Minnesota Armed Forces Service Center (mnafsc.org)

    The AFSC is open seven days a week, from 0800-2245 (8:00 A.M. – 10:45 P.M.) with complimentary refreshments and limited sleeping bunks during these hours. See available amenities below. For operational updates, please call 612-726-9156.

    The AFSC is a one-of-a-kind facility, supported by a volunteer workforce and contributions (financial and in-kind product donations) received from various veterans’ organizations, orporate and personal contributors. The AFSC is not affiliated with the USO, and does not receive funds from the US Government. The AFSC is a 501(C)(3) Non-profit organization.

    Two volunteers are scheduled per four-hour shift; we have 130 volunteers who look forward to warmly welcome those who serve!

DIRECTIONS: The Center is at Terminal 1, inside security at the entrance to the A concourse, on Level 2. Take the tram on the C concourse to the last stop and exit right. Follow our signs to the elevator across from the gift shop.

SERVICE DOG CRITERIA

    We hope you and your working service dog enjoy your stay. We hope the following information is helpful to you. Thank you for your service!

• Dog Treats & Water: Available for service dogs. Please ask the volunteer if you need a water bowl. In accordance with the MN Health Department, excess water should be dumped in the toilet or trash.
  
• Pet Relief:  The indoor pet relief room is located on the skyway connector. From the C Concourse, take the escalator or elevator by gate C13 to level two.
  
• Dog Accidents: Please pick up after your working service dog if any accidents occur during your stay.
  
• Aggressive Dogs: Working service dogs that are aggressive or not housebroken can be placed at the seating area outside the AFSC. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
  
• Lounge Furniture: We kindly ask our four-legged guests to use the carpet to relax.
  
• Aisles: Please keep the main aisle open in the lounge for the safety of all concerned.
  
• Sleeping Bunks:  Due to the limited number of bunks and space in the bunk rooms, please use the designated handicap bunks to prevent a guest on the top bunk from stepping on your working service dog.
  
• Kitchen: The AFSC is a licensed food facility and must abide by the Minnesota Health Department codes and regulations. Working service dogs are not allowed in the kitchen.
  

    The Armed Forces Service Center, its board of directors, officers, employees, contractors, volunteers, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission cannot be held liable for any and all claims, causes of action, and damages for bodily injury or death suffered during your stay at our 24-hour facility located at the MSP International Airport.

Excerpt from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights:

    Service animals are defined as individually trained dogs to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities that are directly related to the person’s disability.

    Service animals are working animals, not pets. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting or protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. A dog whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support does not qualify as a service animal.

Excerpts from the Department of Justice, FAQ about Service Animals and the ADA

    The ADA requires state and local government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations (covered entities) that provide goods or services to the public to make “reasonable modifications” in their policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to accommodate people with disabilities. The service animal rules fall under this general principle.

    The ADA does not require covered entities to modify policies, practices, or procedures if it would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the goods, services, programs, or activities to the public. Nor does it overrule legitimate safety requirements. If admitting service animals would fundamentally alter the nature of the service or program, service animals may be prohibited. In addition, if a particular service animal is out of control, and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if it is not housebroken, that animal may be excluded.