Edwards Retiree Appreciation Day helps vets Published Oct. 7, 2010 By Diane Betzler Staff Writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Nearly 500 military veterans accompanied by family attended the Edwards-sponsored Retiree Appreciation Day Oct. 2 to learn about the many benefits that are available to them and their eligible family members. Representatives from about 18 Edwards' organizations and several outside veterans programs were there manning exhibits, offering handouts and answering questions about the event, which was held in Hangar 1600. Maj. Gen. David J. Eichhorn, Air Force Flight Test Center commander, opened the event by welcoming attendees. He told retirees that the face of Edwards has changed, "It has become far more modern, efficient and aesthetically appealing, but what hasn't changed, and will never change, is Edwards' commitment to military retirees and to the community." He talked briefly about the demands of military life and asked retirees to stand and be recognized. General Eichhorn then thanked them for their service and sacrifices. "We are a service dedicated to the nation as a whole, and to national security, and to leaving it better than we found it," he said. He said it's important to take care of the country's national treasure, America's children and grandchildren, "They will keep this great country going." General Eichhorn told retirees who depend on Edwards for certain services, that Edwards is here for them. Guest speaker, California Assemblyman Steve Knight, said Edwards is where America's best and brightest come to hone their skills. Assemblyman Knight said he gets upset when people refer to the past as the good ole days and said his father, the late Senator and former test pilot William J. "Pete" Knight would say, "These are the good ole days." "What's happening here today is the result of the fruits of your labor," he told retirees. Sonny Alquero, financial management analyst for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Retired and Annuity Pay Operation, came from Ohio to talk to veterans and retirees about available benefits. He told retirees this is their day. "This is our way of showing you recognition. Our commitment is to provide you with the best services," he said. Mr. Alquero's message to retirees was to keep the Retiree Activities Office current with contact and beneficiary information. He offered retirees a casualty assistance checklist informing them of all needed documentation when registering with DFAS. "Always update your benefit plan, notify us if your spouse dies or if there is a divorce. It's important that you keep your beneficiary information current," he said. He said when submitting anything to the office to always print clearly and include a social security number. Retirees may contact the Retiree Activities Office on base by calling (661) 277-4931. They may contact Mr. Alquero directly regarding questions or to report a casualty. The toll-free line is 1-800-321-1080 and his commercial line is (216) 522-5955. His email address is: sonny.alquero@dfas.mil. "It is our commitment to provide retirees with the best world class information and service for the freedom we enjoy. Our thanks go to the military retiree," Mr. Alquero said. Cindy Van Bibber from the National Cemetery Administration was there to talk about issues, she says, no one likes to talk about. She said the NCA has 131 locations throughout the United States, and said they are there to serve active military, retirees, their spouses and eligible children 18 years old or 23 if a college student and single. Ms. Bibber told retirees and veterans with active duty service they are eligible to be buried free at any of the NCA locations. She said the mission of the NCA is to honor veterans with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service to the nation. For more information about the NCA call (866) 632-1845 or go online to the NCA website at: http://www.cem.va.gov/. Colonel Viki Lin, 95th Medical Group deputy commander, welcomed retirees and talked briefly about the home of the desert medics and what they have to offer. "We have a dual mission," she said. Colonel Lin told retirees and veterans that her medical staff is there to provide health care to support military readiness and to maintain the health of the Edwards community. "Our vision is to partner with our patients to promote life-long health, and our motto is, 'Simply the Best.'" The colonel said the focus of the 95th Medical Group is customer service. "Our commitment is to provide the very best customer service." She talked about a new service the clinic is offering and said it's one that will be most useful to retirees and people who drive to base to pick up medication. The pharmacy, which accepts prescriptions from both military and civilian doctors, has set up an automated medical prescription dispenser machine, which is located in front of the main exchange. "It's much like an automated teller machine, only instead of containing money, it holds medications," Colonel Lin explained. She said there are limitations regarding the medications the machine can hold. "Nothing refrigerated, and it can't hold medications that come in large boxes." The colonel said medications that contain a controlled substance would not be dispensed through the automated machine. "Those can only be picked up at the pharmacy," she said. Those interested in taking advantage of this service can sign up at the pharmacy where they will be issued a personal identification number. "Then, all you have to do is enter your number and wait for your medication," Colonel Lin said. She said the pharmacy also offers a safe medication disposal program to comply with the state's 'No Drug Down the Drain' program. "Just bring your expired or unused medication to the pharmacy and we'll dispose of the drugs safely." There are a myriad of services the pharmacy offers, for more information, call the pharmacy at 1-661-277-9896. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Colonel Lin thanked veterans and retirees for their service and sacrifices, "Thank you for paving the road that we continue to walk on today," she said. Ms. Valerie Vigil talked briefly about TriWest Healthcare Alliance. She said the TRICARE benefit was carved out of the Healthcare Reform Act and therefore render no changes to those benefits. She urged all military retirees to take advantage of the benefit they've earned and enroll in the program. "For those of you who are over 65, make sure you have Medicare Plan B. It is required in order for your TRICARE benefit to take effect." Ms. Vigil told those retirees who plan on getting a flu shot they can do that at network pharmacies at no charge, "Just bring your ID card. There will be no charge if you have it done at one of the network pharmacies," she said. For TRICARE questions, the clinic is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Colonel Joe Torres, 95th Air Base Wing vice commander welcomed visitors and thanked the army of people who helped put the informative event together. He thanked the retirees for their sacrifices and told them they are the ones who blazed the trail for the rest. The event culminated with the folding of the U.S. flag ceremony. "The United States flag represents who we are, long may it wave," said Master Sgt. Charles Sanders, event emcee.