Veterans advocate speaks plainly during Retiree Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • By Derek Kaufman
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The leader of a veterans advocacy organization told military retirees and spouses here Oct. 29 that there have been a number of recent successes defending proposed reductions to their benefits. 

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Bill Matz, president of the National Association of Uniformed Services, was a featured speaker at Wright-Patterson's annual Retiree Appreciation Day, held at the Hope Hotel. 

He credited a fairly intensive lobbying effort on Capitol Hill for helping to convince a receptive Congress to reject proposed increases in pharmacy co-pays and Tricare Fees for individual military retirees and for families. Tricare is the military's managed healthcare program. 

President Bush signed the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act on Oct. 14. According to DOD officials, quality-of-life issues play prominently in the new budget. The law provides more than $41 billion for the military health system. 

Matz told retirees he applauded the planned Cost of Living Adjustment, which he said will increase 5.8 percent in 2009. It affects military retirement pay, Social Security, survivor benefits and related Federal annuities. Matz called it the biggest inflation catch-up in more than 25 years. 

The former infantryman was critical however of the inclusion of numerous non-defense projects in the defense bill. 

"We need to keep our national priorities straight...In this fiscal environment, we don't expect the assault on our benefits to let up," Matz said. "Promises made -- past and present -- need to be kept." 

"You need to be a part of the grassroots effort to protect your benefits yourself," he added, noting that military veterans and retirees should make their individual voices heard by calling and emailing local offices of members of Congress when they have concerns. 

Matz also urged retirees to join the military veterans advocacy organization of their choice to collectively advocate on their behalf. Beyond lobbying in Washington to preserve benefits earned by veterans and military retirees, he said they play a vital role in "keeping our people informed about key issues" through various magazines, mailouts and websites. 

Above all, Matz said, "make sure you vote." 

About 400 retirees and spouses from southwest Ohio, eastern Indiana and northern Kentucky participated in Retiree Appreciation Day.  Another 100 personnel manned information booths, provided free medical screenings or otherwise supported the event, organizers said.