TOP STORY>>Retirees are thanked at Appreciation Day

By Cynde Maddox
Little Rock AFB Public Affairs

The base Retiree Activities Office hosted the 35th annual Team Little Rock Retiree Appreciation Day on Oct. 12 honoring Arkansas’ military retirees at the Little Rock Air Force Base's Thomas Community Activities Center.

The event provided information booths, door prizes and many exchanges of thankfulness as Team Little Rock turned out to thank the 508 attending retirees and exhibitors.

Col. William Otter, 19th Airlift Wing vice commander, welcomed the retirees and thanked them not only for their great service to our nation, but also for their continued service both on and off base.

“I am very honored to be part of this event with the many men and women who have served in our nation’s military,” said Otter. “Because you continue to serve today, your service is greatly appreciated by Little Rock Air Force Base, especially you retirees who volunteer here on base. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you, thank all of you!”

Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher also thanked the retirees for attending the event.

“Thank you for your service for this nation in the past. But most importantly, thank you for choosing to be here today — you continue to serve,” said Fletcher. “You are always welcome to visit Jacksonville, home of Little Rock AFB.”

Throughout the event, retirees had the opportunity to learn about travel, health care, banking options, becoming and remaining healthy, educational opportunities and more as they visited more than 55 information booths manned by community business leaders, health professionals, base personnel and numerous members of military and retiree organizations.

At each booth, retirees were provided one-on-one briefings about their benefits and how they could take advantage of numerous other available services.

The retirees were offered a free breakfast, including pastries, cookies, and coffee donated by the retirees, followed by a free lunch, including hot dogs, chips and beverages furnished by Hunt Communities Housing. The retirees were also offered two celebration cakes, one furnished by Arkansas Federal Credit Union and one furnished by the Little Rock AFB Retiree Activities Office.

The Retiree Activities Office, located in the Consolidated Support Facility, building 1255, is open 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers services to more than 57,000 military retirees residing in Arkansas. For more information, call John Heffernan, director of Little Rock AFB Retiree Activities Office, at 987- 6095.