After 3-year hiatus, Retiree Appreciation Day reinforces support network Published Nov. 9, 2022 By Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Figueroa 88th Air Base Wing WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The 88th Air Base Wing’s Retiree Appreciation Day took place Oct. 28 after three years of not being held due to COVID-19 restrictions. About 130 people and 40 vendors attended the event at the nearby Hope Hotel & Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center. “One of the greatest issues when you leave service is that you feel disconnected from the military and support network that you’re used to,” said retired Senior Master Sgt. David McCoy, a lead organizer and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Retiree Activities Office interim director. “The most important thing is that retirees, their family and survivors feel we’re here to support them.” He said Retiree Appreciation Day’s purpose is to honor the retirees, their families and surviving dependents. It is also a source of information on different benefits and services available to this community. Col. Charles Barkhurst, 88 ABW vice commander, opened the event by thanking the retirees and gave a brief account of the day’s activities. “Thank you for being here,” he said. “Today is our first time meeting at this event in three years due to COVID. We’re really glad for this in-person event and hope you can get information on the different services and programs we have available.” The morning session included briefings by representatives from Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the 88th Medical Group, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and Military Officers Association of America. After lunch, the Hope Hotel ballroom opened for all the vendors and booths that provided attendees with information regarding legal services, finance, health care and more. “It’s very informative,” said retired Army 1st Sgt. Gertrude Elizabeth Belts. “A lot of retirees don’t know how to get some things done and it gives us the chance to come and talk to other retirees, to see if they’re having (similar) problems. The base makes it so we can contact who we need to contact—finance, VA, TRICARE—because there’s a lot of things that happen to us once we retire.” 221028-F-JW079-1097 Louise Fenwick (second from left) and Staff Sgt. Lebrandon Pittman, both 88th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron pharmacy technicians, share information about services with military retirees Oct. 28, 2022, in the expo area of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Retiree Appreciation Day. Military and civilian agency representatives were available to answer questions about what they can offer retirees and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | 221028-F-JW079-1097 221028-F-JW079-1088 Military retirees and their families check out tables and displays set up by different agencies and organizations offering services and information Oct. 28, 2022, during Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Retiree Appreciation Day. The annual event had to be canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | 221028-F-JW079-1088 221028-F-JW079-1007 Col. Charles Barkhurst, 88th Air Base Wing vice commander, welcomes attendees to Retiree Appreciation Day on Oct. 28, 2022, at Hope Hotel just outside Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Military retirees and their families were briefed on base services, such as medical and legal, and then had the opportunity to visit with vendors. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | 221028-F-JW079-1007 221028-F-JW079-1068 Retired Air Force Capt. Lee Puckitt talks with a vendor Oct. 28, 2022, in the expo area of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Retiree Appreciation Day at Hope Hotel. Military and civilian agency representatives were available to answer questions about what they can offer retirees and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | 221028-F-JW079-1068 221028-F-JW079-1032 Col. Dale Harrell, 88th Medical Group commander, discusses Wright-Patterson Medical Center services with Retiree Appreciation Day attendees Oct. 28, 2022, at Hope Hotel. The annual event had to be canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | 221028-F-JW079-1032