Sgt. First Class Michael Dungey relaxes in the Armed Forces Lounge at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. A venue for tearful farewells and joyful reunions, an opportunity to recharge and relax, a spot to connect before shipping out or coming home. That's what the Armed Forces Lounge at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport has to offer to active and retired military personnel and their families.

Opened in mid- May, the 1,200 square- foot lounge that used to serve as the airport's business center has had a steady increase in visitors as word has spread about the new perk, according to Sgt. First Class Brad Sperling of the 171st Brigade, who is dedicated to staffing it from 8 am to 9 pm each day.

"The first few days we'd maybe have one or two people come in and say, 'Hey, this is nice,'" Sperling said. "So I would walk around the airport and bring people back here. I think they must have told other people about it."

Indeed. On Friday, June 5 at around 6 pm, 75 people came through the lounge to relax, ask questions or get help with flight plans, access the computers, grab a snack, or use the meeting room.

Sgt. First Class Michael Dungey was one of those Friday drop- ins. After watching his son, Michael Jr., graduate from basic training at Fort Jackson, Dungey's flight back to Rochester, N.Y. was delayed. He said he felt lucky to find the Armed Forces Lounge for the hour- long wait.

"I've been in airports all around the good old U.S.A. and this is one of the nicest I've seen in a long time," said Dungey, a 27- year Army veteran. "I got my phone charged, had something to eat, and had a chance to relax."

While in the lounge, he called his son, who was traveling through the airport the next day on his way to Ft. Benning, Ga. for officer's training.

"I told him about this place. He can use his computer and charge his new phone and iPod here while he waits for his flight," Dungey said.

The Armed Forces Lounge came about with the help of companies and citizens, as well as the kindness of Columbia's airport authorities.

According to Sperling, the furniture and computers were donated by the airport, and the large television, food and signs were provided by volunteers, many of them relatives of active military personnel.

"We've gotten a lot of donations from retired personnel, as well as mothers of men and women serving overseas," Sperling said.

Both Sperling and Dungey agree that the lounge can serve as a private sanctuary for emotional families - either joyfully celebrating a soldier's return or tearfully saying goodbye.

Note: The Armed Forces Lounge is located in the main lobby of the Columbia Airport, across from the Airport Information Desk. Open daily from 8 am to 9 pm, it is available for use by active and retired military and their families.