Travis’ Retiree Appreciation Day event takes a new shape

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  Featuring an expanded slate of events, Travis Air Force Base's annual Retiree Appreciation Day is growing to two days this year.

Scheduled Saturday and Sunday, the festivities are turning into a base-wide showcase involving multiple organizations in order to honor those who have served the country.

Col. Mike Minihan, vice commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, said it is crucial that the retirees know how much they and their service are valued.

"This event is extremely important to us here as retirees are just as much of our Team Travis family as our active-duty members," said Colonel Minihan, who will represent the wing at the event. "We want the retired community to know how much we appreciate their service to this country and we are grateful to them for laying out the foundation for our future generation of warfighters."

The effort to increase the scope of Retiree Appreciation Day began last year, under the previous base commander, Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Chol Chong, a 60th Dental Squadron dentist and chairman of the event. Col. Jim Vechery, General Dillon's successor as leader of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, continued the general's vision for the event.

Colonel Chong said previous installments primarily focused on a series of seminars and a lunch. That's much different this year, said Capt. Scott Carroll, a member of the 9th Air Refueling Squadron and the operations group representative for the event.

"It's more of an expo or convention-type atmosphere," Captain Carroll said. "We're trying to bring in all age groups, the entire spectrum of retirees."

In an effort to do so, the list of activities is lengthy and incorporates myriad base functions. The event combines efforts from base organizations are well as community vendors and businesses.

The appreciation day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. David Grant USAF Medical Center is the primary location for the festivities, including registration and multiple displays from units on base, as well as, guest speakers, a concert and opening and closing ceremonies.

But there are plans for the day at many base locations. Guests will receive a coupon booklet, which entitles them to special offers and discounts. One such example is the Travis Bowling Center, which is offering two free games of bowling. Other offers include golf discounts, a reduced brunch rate at the Delta Breeze Club for those people staying overnight and more.

More than $2,000 in prizes are expected to be given away, Captain Carroll said.

Additionally, the first 500 guests at the DGMC dining facility will receive lunch for free.

Yet another opportunity is at the Military Personnel Flight office, which will serve visitors on a walk-in basis rather than its usual appointment-only procedure.

Also open is the Refill Pharmacy. A C-17 Globemaster III will be on display.

A shuttle is available to take retirees and their guests to different locations on base.

Further activities include a continental breakfast, a health fair, bingo, lunch and more.

For those staying the whole weekend, Sunday's activities include a brunch at the Delta Breeze Club and a special event at the Travis Air Museum.

The events begin Saturday at 8:30 a.m. The opening ceremonies are at 9 a.m. at the DGMC auditorium. For the complete schedule, see the graphic at (LOCATION ON PAGE).

For more information, call 424-3905 or visit www.travisafrc.com or www.travisfss.com to register.