A trip to New York City is usually expensive, especially for a member of the armed forces, but the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmens Club in the Murray Hill section of midtown Manhattan has been offering discount accommodations for servicemembers since 1919. Originally dubbed the Servicemen’s Club when it opened to accommodate servicemen returning from World War I, the organization has been kept alive for nearly 90 years as a nonprofit operation that gets no financial support from federal, state, or local governments. According to Air Force journalist MSgt. Scott Wagers, the club features 21 rooms with two beds to accommodate couples and six rooms with three beds—for a mere $25 a night. The club is located near the famous Theater District and the Radio City Music Hall.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.