After her son – Naval Aviation Technician Petty Officer R. “Scott” Purdum – died in Vietnam, Maggie Purdum founded the Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) on November 22, 1970, as a tribute to all those who serve.
The Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) is an “all-free” stop located at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport for active-duty military personnel and their dependents; Reservists, National Guardsmen and Military Retirees and their dependents.
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, corporate and personal contributors. We are not affiliated with the USO, and we do not receive funds from the US Government.
We are proud to support our military men and women who make extraordinary sacrifices to defend our country. Since opening on November 22, 1970, over 1 million active-duty military personnel, dependents, and retirees have passed through the AFSC. Until the Covid-19 Pandemic, the AFSC has never closed in over 49 years.
From October 2006 to date, the AFSC “Troop Greeters” have welcomed more than 334 Military charter flights (over 89,000 combat troops) and over 1,110 military charter buses (around 46,000 troops).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS – The AFSC Board of Directors is comprised of members from various veterans’ organizations and volunteers.
STAFF – We have one part-time executive director and four part-time employees, and a bi-weekly accountant responsible for the day-to-day operations of the AFSC.
VOLUNTEERS – Two volunteers are scheduled per four-hour shift; we have 180 volunteers who look forward to warmly welcome those who serve!