Warren celebrates Retiree Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • By Airman Alex Martinez
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  About 200 retirees attended the 2007 Military Retiree Appreciation Day and Information Fair that took place Saturday in the Pronghorn Center.

This year's event was hosted by the Rising 6 Organization. Many Warren agencies provided information kiosks. Some agencies present included the pharmacy, Tricare, the dental clinic, services, finance and the base commissary.

"[This event] is a good way to market all the services offered on base," said Mary Brown, 90th Force Support Squadron. Ms. Brown provided informational brochures, helped with resumes and added retirees to the base e-mail distribution list.

"I'm glad to be here and see all the wonderful smiling faces," said Airman 1st Class Samuel Shim, 90th Comptroller Squadron. "Sometimes it's hard for retirees to get a lot of important information so this is a good way to get it."

Col. Gary Pond, 90th Space Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Denver Bolster, Air Force Region 4 Retiree Council, gave the opening remarks for the event.

Some highlights of the event included static displays of historical military uniforms, historical trolley tours around Warren, a free barbecue lunch and a special presentation that honored the oldest attendee at the event.

The oldest retiree was Army Col. (Ret.) Marshell McBee. He was presented squadron coins from various Warren groups and squadrons and a coin holder. Colonel McBee entered the Army in 1933 and retired in 1966. He is 92 years old.

Anna McBee, wife of Colonel McBee, was also honored as being the oldest female retiree. She was presented an eagle statuette. She is 87 years old.

"I've been coming to the retiree events here for quite some time now and this one is by far the best," said Colonel McBee.

Staff Sgt. Lisa Haskins, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron and Rising 6 NCO president, said seeing all the interaction between young troops and retirees was great because it allowed them to share information from their different military experiences.

"I can see retirees as recent as six months to several years and they all look like they are having a good time," Sergeant Haskins said. "I don't think you can thank them enough for their sacrifices. It's nice to know they don't have to go and search for important information. It's all here at their fingertips."