SYRACUSE -- Weary soldiers, marines and sailors traveling through Syracuse will soon have a special room to pass time waiting at Hancock International Airport.

Local veterans banded together and persuaded airport officials to establish a hospitality room at the airport, which is frequently used by soldiers from the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division who are stationed 75 miles to the north at Fort Drum.

Restaurants and newsstands in the smaller Syracuse facility close down overnight. And there are few comfortable places for travelers to sprawl while they wait for flights or rides.

Organizers say the new room is nothing fancy, just a place where tired men and women can escape the crowd, find a comfortable place to rest and grab a cold drink or some coffee.