By Leslie Quander Wooldridge Published September 15, 2005 Prince George’s Gazette
Business owners and county officials came together to dedicate a refurbished receiving room at Andrews Air Force Base, citing the need for a comfortable welcoming area for wounded troops returning to U.S. soil.
The members of the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, a nonprofit and nonpartisan alliance of chief executive officers from area businesses, completely rebuilt and refurbished the room, changing it from a simple hospital receiving and recreation area.
Maryland Room Computer Stations & Seating
Located in the Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base and dedicated on Sept. 8, the new Maryland Room features state-of-the-art technology as well as a new kitchen, flooring and ceiling.
Wounded soldiers typically only stay in the hospital 48 to 72 hours, said M. H. Jim Estepp, president and CEO of the Business Roundtable, with the base the first stop for the soldiers on their return home.
The refurbishment and renovation, which took about six months to fund and complete, was made possible through contributions from area businesses and community members. Soldiers were able to use the room on Sept. 9.
‘‘It’s a difficult thing to get in the military budget something like this,” Estepp said, explaining that the idea to renovate the room came after talks with base personnel.
Elected officials were also present at the dedication, and a resounding theme in their remarks was the need to care for returning soldiers.
Samuel Dean, chairman of the County Council, said that he spent 10 years in the Air Force some time ago, and noted that soldiers can get lonely when serving. ‘‘It is a very difficult challenge that our troops face,” he said.
Speakers talked about relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina, as service members in uniform and civilians stood together in the dedication area. When the ceremonial ribbon cutting occurred, attendees filed into the room.
Washington Wizards teammates enjoy the king size seats in the Maryland Room
Brian Pappas, general manager of Mama Stella’s restaurant in Clinton, said the restaurant wanted to support the cause. ‘‘You can’t put a price tag on [the service of troops] but anything we can do, we’re happy to help,” he said.
William Chesley of W.F. Chesley Real Estate and the Roundtable’s board of directors said the project gave contributors the opportunity to see actual results from their donations. ‘‘I think a lot of people are looking to find something like this where it’s tangible,” he said.
Plants were scattered around the Maryland Room, with a new 60-inch television the focal point among new computer work stations and blonde wood floors.
Childlike handwriting on a framed picture hanging in the room proclaimed there would be ‘‘liberty and justice for all,” and as attendees gathered, many said they were happy the process was complete and that soldiers and their families could begin using the room.
‘‘It’s a dream come true for all of us,” Estepp said.
