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Retiree Appreciation Day

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Stephen Pitters, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron social worker, shares information on behavioral health to military retirees during Retiree Appreciation Day at Club Fairchild April 24. Mr. Pitters works at the family advocacy center at Fairchild. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nancy Hooks)

Retiree Appreciation Day

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Joseph Montoya, marketing representative, shows military retirees the benefits they have in dental care during Retiree Appreciation Day at Club Fairchild April 24. Mr. Montoya, who is stationed in Utah, works for Delta Dental and travels around the world for his job. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nancy Hooks)

Veterans gather for retiree appreciation events

Published April 26, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias
92nd ARW Public Affairs Office

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Retirees from regions surrounding Spokane, Wash., gathered at Club Fairchild here April 24 for Retiree Appreciation Day events. They started their day with words of appreciation from base leadership.

"We're very excited to have you here, to express our gratitude for everything you've offered," said Col. Roger Watkins, 92nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander, adding that the community support retirees offer to Fairchild are important and appreciated.

Colonel Watkins also assured the retirees that today's Airmen are "supporting the Global War on Terrorism. Every day, this wing has Airmen deployed to Southwest Asia."

After opening remarks, the veterans received retiree-specific briefings from organizations like the medical group, TriWest and the Military Personnel Flight. According to retired Marine Col. Melvin McCoury of the Retiree Activities Office, these informational briefings are one of the most important parts of the day.

"The information shared keeps retirees informed of their benefits on an updated basis," he said. "It also gives them a chance to ask questions and keep up with news specific to the retired community."

And there are a lot of retirees who need that information. About 20,000 retired military members live in this region of the country, said Colonel McCoury, and some travel quite a ways to get to the base for support or events.

According to the retirees, though, that travel is worth it - one veteran said he's "treated like royalty" at the base. This Retiree Appreciation Day was no exception - the veterans enjoyed a KC-135 simulator visit at the end of their appreciation event line-up.