Team Edwards hosts appreciation day for retirees Published May 7, 2014 By Jet Fabara 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- More than 280 military retirees, their families and surviving spouses were welcomed to the 2014 Military Retiree Appreciation Day event held here May 3 at the Oasis Community Center. For those in attendance, retirees were all treated to services and information updates from staff members with the Edwards Retirees Activities Office, the Immunizations clinic, the Pharmacy, the Legal office, ID Card services, TRICARE, Delta Dental, USAA and many more. Prior to the commencement of the day's activities, attendees were treated to opening remarks courtesy of guest speaker, the honorable John Oglesby, judge for the Superior Court of Kern County in California. "It was an honor to be part of an event today that assists veterans, retirees and their families and to personally thank them for what they've done and accomplished," said Oglesby. "I think, as a collective, we sometimes don't understand the weight of what they've accomplished during their time of service, but something like this event definitely shows them that there are many others who are appreciative of what they've done." During the event, information booths were set up throughout the community center with breakout sessions that occurred throughout the morning. Each breakout session was used to discuss the latest information regarding medical issues and benefits, Veterans Affairs, TRICARE, legal services, Delta Dental and Casualty Affairs information. "Today's event provided a good platform for our predecessors, our retirees and their families to be able to communicate with agencies directly as opposed to going online or calling in their questions and concerns," said Tech. Sgt. Roger Rouse, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, F-35 avionics expediter and lead event coordinator. Along with information booths, independent vendors were also in attendance with free lunches provided by the Commissary. Collectively, it took the help of more than 20 organizations to put the event together, according to Rouse. "When it comes to the Air Force core values, an event like this is all about service before self. We have a duty to the folks that have come before us and to be able to participate in something like this and to serve our retirees is simply an outstanding opportunity," said Rouse. "For the younger Airman, an event like this definitely opens their eyes and gives them a great appreciation for this type of volunteer opportunity and greater appreciation for our American military veterans." "It was great to see base leadership in attendance today along with our guest speaker, the Honorable Oglesby. The event was very task saturated and daunting but it was great to see all the support all the agencies provided and see something like this culminate together into such and awesome event," added Rouse. For any information regarding military retirees and upcoming events, call the Edwards AFB Retiree Activities Office at (661) 277-4931 or go to the RAO webpage at www.edwards.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7724. The Edwards AFB RAO is located in Bldg. 3000 and is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.