An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article Display

Retiree Appreciation Day proves big success

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  oint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst welcomed more than 400 retirees and family members to the installations' Retiree Appreciation Day program held at the Tommy B's Community Activities Center March 28.

This year's keynote speaker was retired Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., former 52nd Chief of Naval Personnel and current ninth president of the Military Officer Association of America.

Representing the joint base were Col. John M. Wood, U.S. Air Force, commander, JB MDL and 87th Air Base Wing, Col. Joe Whitlock, U. S. Army, deputy commander JB MDL, Chaplain (Col.) Timothy Wagoner, U.S. Air Force, 87th ABW Wing Chaplain, and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonels Bob Hodges, retiree volunteer and co-chairman of this year's Retiree Appreciation Day and Bob Hansen, retiree volunteer.

The event started off with the posting of the colors by the 87th ABW Color Guard, the signing of the national anthem by 1st Lt. Michael Washington, 87th Force Support Squadron, Community Services Flight Officer and an invocation conducted by Wagoner.

Wood explained this year's theme 'still serving' as he welcomed and thanked Ryan and his wife, Judy, for attending.

"You didn't join the Army, the Navy or the Air Force, you joined the service," Wood said. "This is about service to your country and you've done it and continue to do it."

Wood emphasized there are more people working on the base than in Atlantic City and the base has second largest police force in the state.

"Our retiree community stretches more than 60,000 people," Wood added.

Ryan, a resident of Fairfax Station, Va., graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1967, and has commanded aviation units at the squadron, wing, and fleet levels and has directed the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs. Ryan served as the 52nd Chief of Naval Personnel before retiring and assuming his current position at MOAA in September 2002.

"Retiree Appreciation Days are not as frequent as they should be around the country because of the cost concerns at many installations," said Ryan.

Ryan described the MOAA's stance on care for the military retirees and the changes and proposal of the President's Budget concerning force reductions, pay, retirement and TRICARE hikes.

Another topic addressed by Ryan was the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the affect the changes will have on retirees and service members.

Wood presented Hansen with a Letter of Appreciation for his outstanding volunteer work prior to lunch. The 90-year-old Hansen joined the Army Air Corps at the age of 20, served as a pilot in both World War II and the Korean War and ended his military career as a C-141 Starlifter aircraft commander attached with the 6th Airlift Squadron here and is 'Still Serving" in the Retiree Affairs Office.

During the afternoon, retirees were afforded time to browse through the two rooms of the community center filled with 22 information tables from various organizations that handed out brochures and information packets.

Retirees were also allowed to eat lunch 'a la carte' at the base dining facility.

When lunch was concluded, briefings were provided by Col. James Burks, commander, 87th Medical Group, addressing the mission of the medical group and Hodges, who provided updates on the 'Space A Program'.

Of the more than 400 retirees and family member, 250 retirees had lunch at the dining facility and 50 retirees received new identification cards, according to Steve Pivin, 87th FSS, chief, Community Services Flight.

"This was a good, informative time for everyone involved -- every guest I talked to expressed appreciation and gratitude for today's presentation," said Washington.

Present at this year's retiree program were: Space A Travel: 87th ABW Legal Office; TRICARE; Survivor Benefits Plan; New Jersey Veterans Affairs, U.S. Veterans Affairs; Retiree Activities Office; Retiree Decals; MOAA; Health Net Services; Delta Dental; Credit Union; Uniform Services Family Health Plan; Base Exchange; Commissary; Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and American Legion, in addition to a table for the National Take Back Drug.

"I'd like to extend thanks to all the vendors and volunteers whose efforts continually make this a standout event, year after year," added Washington.