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Retiree Appreciation

  • Published
  • By Col. Gary Goldstone
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  This past weekend, Team Scott hosted the 24th Annual Retiree Appreciation Day at the Scott Club for more than 300 retirees and their families. Veterans from all branches of the military who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and recent conflicts traveled far and wide for this showcase event hosted by the 375th Airlift Wing (now re-designated the 375th Air Mobility Wing). 

It is an honor to recognize these veterans who contribute untold hours in volunteer service as they continue to give back to Team Scott. It's a small thing to set aside a day to provide information to them in a convenient setting and is just one way we can say thank you for all that they do. We honor them not because we have to, but because it's the right thing to do. Their diverse backgrounds and experience add strength to today's force, and they truly reflect the retiree motto of "Still Serving." 

One veteran in particular was honored--retired Chief Master Sgt. John Steffen of the Scott AFB Retiree Activities Office. He was presented with the Volunteer of the Year award for 2008 for his superb customer service and outstanding efforts. 

During the day, several agencies provided brief updates to the guests on numerous topics such as TRICARE, Space Available travel, safety, Defense Biometric Identification System and the Military Officers Association of America's legislative update. And to lighten things up, retired Chief Master Sgt. Bobby Dandridge entertained the guests with humorous stories from his tremendous career--while providing a very sincere message of "THANKS." 

There were 35 exhibitor tables set up, which provided information on a variety of services geared toward retirees such as a bone density scanner, blood pressure screening, and dental screening provided by the 375th Medical Group. 

This event was just another example of Team Scott coming together in a superb manner, and, like any event, could not happen without a tremendous amount of dedicated service. Special thanks goes to Maj. Robert Simpson and Master Sgt. Brent Stewart, both with the 375th Inspector General Office, who chaired the day's events. The Scott AFB Commissary and St. Louis USO provided a free continental breakfast, and once again the Scott Honor Guard performed flawlessly in posting our colors. 

Special thanks also goes to all who performed and contributed to the day such as retired Master Sgt. Elmer Crouch who displayed several of his historical military uniforms. Mr. Crouch was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement as an AC-47 Flight Engineer in Vietnam, and has a vast collection of historical uniforms from the WWII era through today. Without his collection, we would not be able to enjoy these uniforms, so thank you again for your displays both with this event and during the Air Force Ball as well. 

It's important to keep strong connections with our retirees because they are part of our military family. We're all in this together, and we cannot be successful without their support, sage advice, and continued service in many venues that directly impacts our mission, base and all who call Team Scott home. Together we all Enable Combat Power!