Team Edwards welcomes retirees to appreciation event

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Edwards showed their appreciation to retired servicemembers Saturday during the Retiree Appreciation Day at hangar 1600 here. 

More than 500 retirees from Southern California attended the event. 

"This event is all about honoring retirees," said 1st Lt. Laura Moody, 95th Air Base Wing plans officer and the Retiree Activities Day corrdinator. "This gives us an opportunity to honor them, render service to them and celebrate their accomplishments." 

Retired Lt. Gen. Don Petersen, Air Force Retiree Council co-chairman, was the event's guest speaker. 

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke, Air Force Flight Test Center commander, talked about the need to take care of retirees. 

"I would like to thank all the retirees for serving our nation," General Bedke said. 

He also stressed the base's commitment in helping retirees with what they need. 

"We spend a fair amount of time in the military talking about recruitment and retention," General Bedke said. "We need to make sure retirement is also high in the list of our priorities. If we are going to recruit and retain quality servicemembers, we need to think of not only how we treat them in the present, but also when they retire. " 

During the event, various base organizations and off-base agencies were present to give information and lend support. 

"We have informational booths set up for the retirees, where they can ask information about the programs available for them," Lieutenant Moody said. 

The 95th Mission Support Group opened their doors for the retirees to renew their identification cards at Consolidated Support Facility. Meanwhile, the 95th Medical Group made the pharmacy available for the retirees. 

"This event has really involved the air base wing, (412th) Test Wing and AFFTC," Lieutenant Moody said. "We received great support from everyone who was involved.
The Retiree Activities Office also provided their support." 

Organizations such as the 95th MSG, 95th Aerospace Medical Squadron, Defense Commissary Agency, Edwards Federal Credit Union, Wills and Trusts, Identity Security, and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service also provided a short presentation for the retirees. 

The 95th Security Forces Squadron, Edwards Chiefs' Group, Middle Tier Association, Top-3, the American Red Cross and Health and Wellness Center also sent volunteers to help provide information to the retirees. 

"We want to make sure we give you good information and take care of your practical issues," General Bedke said. "You took care of us; now we're going to take care of you." 

Lieutenant Moody said it's a wonderful thing to appreciate the retirees. 

"This is a great opportunity to give back just a little something to those who gave so much," she said. "It is an honor and a blessing. It is very rewarding. We are lucky to be involved."