LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

McCarran International Airport is the only major airline hub in the country with no designated rest area for military personnel, including those who have long layovers while en route to war zones, according to veterans' advocates.

Local leaders and veterans' groups want to jump- start a stalled effort to create an airport lounge where members of the military can congregate, wash up and sleep.

"I felt bad that our military personnel who are putting their lives on the line have no place to stay," Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak said. "They have to sleep on the floor."

The latest push to provide a place to accommodate traveling service members appeared to gain political steam at an informal meeting Friday led by Sisolak.

Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev. and former state Sen. Bob Beers attended as well as aides to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. Veterans' representatives also participated.

Officials hope to set up the rest stop in a former suite in Terminal 1 that U.S. Airways vacated in September. County commissioners, who must approve the project, are set to discuss it Tuesday.