JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
More than 150 veterans gathered to get face-to-face assistance on a wide range of retirement issues during the annual Retiree Appreciation Day on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct. 27.
Volunteers and active-duty members helped veterans with legal matters, retirement benefits, military records, and ID cards, as well as providing free dental screening and immunizations.
Retired Air Force Col. Teresa Lewis, who attended the event, considered it a necessity for veterans.
“I was so happy with everything at this event,” Lewis said. “It can be hard to reach out to [the Defense Finance and Accounting Service] and the base personnel office for us veterans. The representatives here were able to pull up my information and finally help me out. Now that’s what you call customer service.”
Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, spoke at the event about how important it is for veterans to stay connected to the military.
“We need you,” he said. “Continue to volunteer and be visible in the military community. Keep sharing your stories so others can benefit from your experiences.”