Retiree honored as Volunteer of the Year Published Oct. 17, 2008 By Derek Kaufman 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Col. Byron Lee Schatzley was honored here Oct. 16 as the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Retiree Activities Office Volunteer of the Year. Col. Bradley Spacy, 88th Air Base Wing commander, presented the award to Schatzley. "There is so much that we could not do without the selfless support of our retirees," Spacy said. "We really don't pay tribute to them enough for all they bring to our mission and to our community." Schatzley is former director of the base's Retiree Activities Office and continues to volunteer there. The Retiree Activities Office provides information to military retirees, their dependents and survivors, and also coordinates retiree volunteer assistance across the installation. The RAO office and base Airman & Family Readiness Center complement one another in matching skills and interests for retirees, spouses and others who want to volunteer. "Lee literally turned this office around," said Col. Paul Moore, who succeeded Schatzley as Retiree Activities Office director. Schatzley challenged the Air Force to put more emphasis into Retiree Activities Office programs and capitalize on the talents of military retirees who he said "are donating their lives" well after hanging up their own uniforms. He noted there are more than 2,500 people who volunteer in some capacity at Wright-Patt. He retired from the Air Force in 1972 after 30 years of service which included combat missions as a B-26 Marauder bombardier, a number of intelligence and defense mapping assignments, and command of the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center in St. Louis, Mo. Today, like many volunteers, Schatzley said he enjoys staying connected with those who serve in uniform to defend America. "You live longer wearing out than rusting out," Schatzley said with a smile. Col. Schatzley and his wife Carol Graff, live in Beavercreek Township, Ohio.