ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Retiree Appreciation Day will be held Saturday at The Club at Andrews from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mr. John Neves, Retiree Activities Office director, is enthusiastic about the event.
"We've got a great program scheduled," said Mr. Neves. "Our keynote speaker, Pat Peek, is the Air Force's primary spokesperson on retiree issues, including the Survivor Benefit Plan. She was instrumental in getting the changes in the base pay for retirees in SBP and has been involved in retiree issues for more than 21 years. She knows what's going on in both civilian and retiree issues."
Mr. Neves is also excited about the rest of the program.
"We have free flu shots this year for our retirees," said Mr. Neves. "Last year we had a problem with people waiting in line for hours in order to get their flu shot, but they don't have to worry about waiting this year. I want to let our retirees know that flu shots are available and we do have enough people to administer flu shots. All they need is their retiree identification card."
The Retiree Appreciation Day program includes a health fair sponsored by the 79th Medical Group, remarks by Col. Paul Ackerley, 316th Wing commander, and presentations by TRICARE and Johns Hopkins representatives.
"Rachelle Davis, the TRICARE Community Representative, will be presenting on the TRICARE for Life program," said Mr. Neves. "She will be talking about the differences between Tricare, Tricare Prime, and the Tricare for Life programs and who is eligible for what. The problem is we-the retirees-are confused about who is eligible for Tricare for Life. Ms. Davis is going to do a basic briefing as to what the differences are in each program and eligibility requirements for each."
Mr. Neves is also enthusiastic about the program's legislative briefing by Col. Mike Hayden, USAF-Retired of the Military Officers Association of America. "Mike is going to bring the retirees up to date on legislation on the Hill pertaining to retiree issues, said Mr. Neves. "He's going to let us know what the status is of various issues and what the chances are of retiree legislative issues passing to benefit the retirees."
The future of the Malcolm Grow Medical Center is yet another important topic in the Retiree Appreciation Day's program. "Let me tell you the medical benefit is the number two most important benefit to retirees," said Mr. Neves. "Our number one benefit is pay, but our medical benefits are very important to us. The upcoming changes at Malcolm Grow are something our retirees need to know about." As such, Mr. Neves has lined up Col. Schuyler Geller, 79th Medical Group commander for Saturday's program. "Col. Geller is going to let us know what is happening with Malcolm Grow and what's going to happen there in the future. The upcoming changes with Malcolm Grow are probably one of the most contentious issues for retirees and Col. Geller will be available to answer our questions," said Mr. Neves.
A buffet lunch is available to program attendees at the club for $6.95.
For more information, please contact Mr. Neves at the Retiree Activities Office at 301-981-2726.