Vance AFB honors military retirees

  • Published
  • By Airman and Family Readiness Center
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Honoring and meeting the needs of retirees is nothing new for Vance Air Force Base. But one day a year retirees get extra special treatment at Vance. The special day this year is May 23 when the base hosts Retiree Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Vance Collocated Club. 

"Vance honors retirees for a multitude of reasons. Their selfless devotion to duty in time of war and peace affords many of us to enjoy the liberties we have today," said Greg Waide, 71st Force Support Squadron, chief of Airman and Family Readiness flight. "This is just a small token of our appreciation." 

All military retirees, regardless of their branch of service, are welcome, as are surviving spouses of retirees. The Vance Airman and Family Readiness Center has nearly 2,700 retirees on its quarterly newsletter mailing list and hopes to see many of them at this year's event. 

"We would especially like to see recent retirees, and all the way through those who served in World War II; at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, we provide services retirees every day, and I see firsthand how important it is to keep them informed on the changes going on in our system," Mr. Waide said.

Retired Army Maj. Edward Pulido, vice president of Community Investment and Research for the United Way of Oklahoma City, is the guest speaker at an 11 a.m. buffet-style luncheon at the club that is open to all attendees. 

Besides honoring retirees, the event is also designed to update them on the benefits and services available to them. 

Among the organizations scheduled to have booths at the club are TRICARE, Department of Veterans Affairs, base legal office, Senior Life Network, American Legion, Workforce Oklahoma, Main Street Enid, Vance Health and Wellness Center, American Red Cross, Army and Air Force Exchange, commissary, Vance services and several other base and local community organizations. 

Discounts, door prizes and giveaways will also be a small part of the celebration honoring retirees. 

For more information, call Angel Dominguez at the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 213-7873.