Scott to host Retiree Appreciation Day Published Sept. 10, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Erica Crossen 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Team Scott will host the 29th Annual Retiree Appreciation Day, Sept. 27 at the Scott Club. The event honors all retired members of the Armed Forces--the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Capt. Caroline Raines, Retiree Appreciation Day committee chairperson said, "The wing has the honor and privilege of hosting this event annually to show our retiree community how much we appreciate them. We have crafted this year's event based feedback from the Scott Air Force Base Retiree Activities Office." The event kicks off at 7 a.m., and provides an opportunity for retirees to connect with resources and organizations. Raines said, "We have attended to every detail to design an event that gives retirees valuable information regarding current affairs within the respective service branches, current legislative efforts on behalf of retirees, current medical information and services and activities available on base." A wide range of organizations will be represented at the event to include Veteran's Affairs, 375th Air Mobility Wing Legal Office, 375th Force Support Squadron services and 375th Medical Clinic, as well as many other community organizations from both on base and off base. Retired Senior Master Sgt. Joe Barajas, Scott Retiree Activities Office (RAO) deputy director and active volunteer, said, "Today retirees contribute stories and experiences from their past time. These are things you can't find in a textbook and members attending this year's event will have a chance to encounter." The Scott RAO serves as liaison between the base and more than 26,000 military retirees living in the vicinity of Scott and the surrounding community encompassing Southern Illinois and portions of Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky. "The event also affords the opportunity for the retiree community to come together, share memories, and enjoy each other's company," said Raines. "This year's vendors will have the most up to date information in their fields. Additionally, we have guest speaker, retired Chief Master Sgt. Robert Frank, chief executive officer of the Air Force Sergeants Association." According to Barajas, helping retirees isn't a one time a year occurrence but year round and that's why the Scott RAO exists. The United States Air Force Retiree Activities Program was established in 1975, followed by the establishment of the Scott AFB Retiree Activities Program in 1979. The program comes under the organizational control of the 375th Air Mobility Wing. The program ensures retirees have the opportunity to be informed of key issues and entitlements and stay connected with the military community. "The Retiree's Affairs Office works to remind the retiree community that their service is not forgotten and that we remain dedicated to serving them and their families," said Barajas. The Scott AFB RAO serves military retirees, spouses, widows, widowers and their families by supporting, advancing and unifying the military retired and active duty communities through positive volunteerism. The mission of the Scott RAO is to assist retirees and family members of all branches of the uniformed services. Services include information, counseling and referrals on retiree benefits, casualty assistance, TRICARE information and assistance entitlements, programs, on-base functions and base facilities. An award for Volunteer of the Year will be announced during the event to recognize an individual's selflessness and dedication to helping others. "We are working hard to recruit volunteers, line up our exhibitors, and do all that we can to ensure that the day comes off as a success and that our retiree community knows just how much we appreciate them," said Raines. Contact Capt. Caroline Raines at 256-3542 for questions regarding the Scott AFB Retiree Appreciation Day.