KEELSER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- More than 250 retirees attended the 19th annual Retiree Appreciation Day Nov. 6, 2015 at the Roberts Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Facility, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
Representatives from 40 base and local organizations attended displays to provide retirees information about their services, including Keesler Medical Center, TRICARE and the base finance office.
“Multiple agencies were here to provide assistance and guidance to the retirees as needed,” said retired Senior Master Sgt. Edward Long Jr., Retiree Activities Office director. “This event also gave retirees the latest information on things happening on Keesler.”
The Keesler Retiree Affairs Office services more than 32,000 local and regional retirees from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, between Baton Rouge, La. and Mobile, Ala.
“I found everyone here to be extremely helpful,” said retired Chief Petty Officer Fred Burns. “I got information about the Armed Forces Retirement Home and help from legal.”
Several members from Keesler wing leadership were in attendance to thank retirees for their continued support.
“We are here to support you [retirees] the same way that you support us and ensure you understand you continue to be an incredibly valuable part of the 81st Training Wing family,” said Col. Michele Edmonson, 81st TRW commander.
The event is an excellent way for young Airmen to learn from the experiences of retirees, Long added.
“The retirees have a lot to offer to the young Airmen,” said Long. “When an Airman talks to a World War II veteran or a Korean War veteran, it makes a difference.”
For more information on activities or services for retirees, contact the Retiree Activities Office at (228) 376-7309.