Fort Bliss Monitor

Retiree Appreciation Day
More than 300 former servicemembers attend event

Dustin Perry
Editor

DUSTIN PERRY

Robert Kelly, a military retiree, listens to information pertaining to upcoming Base Realignment and Closure changes during Retiree Appreciation Day held Saturday at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy auditorium.

Retiree Appreciation Day was observed Saturday at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy auditorium and was attended by more than 300 former servicemembers.

The event, which is held every year at military installations as required by an Army regulation, was held to honor America’s retirees and provide them information on legislative updates, medical benefit information and legal support, among others.

“It’s an honor to be here with so many great veterans and retirees. Thank you all for your service to this country,” said El Paso Mayor John Cook, who was a guest at the event. “We appreciate you more than you know.”

The call to order and the Pledge of Allegiance were given by retired Maj. Gen. Ed Greer, chairman of the Fort Bliss Retiree Council and the event’s master of ceremonies.

Following an introduction, Col. Scott A. Marquardt discussed upcoming legislation involving the changes Base Realignment and Closure will bring. Marquardt spoke of an expected increase of more than 41,000 military and military-related personnel here by 2011.

“Sleepy Biggs Army Airfield is about to become one of the largest power projection platforms in the free world,” said Marquardt.

The veterans were then given a legislative update by retired Maj. Gen. William M. Matz, president of the National Association for Uniformed Services. Following that, Col. James Leech, commander of William Army Beaumont Medical Center, provided information and answered questions concerning the veterans’ health and health care-related issues. Representa-tives from the commissary, Post Exchange and the legal office were also speakers at the event.

Fort Bliss’ Retired Services Officer Abel Duarte, who organized the event, said Retiree Appreciation Day is important because “the retirees are still serving in one way or another.”

“This is to let the retirees know that the services they performed are appreciated, and that’s basically why we try to keep the retiree community informed,” said Duarte.

Outside the auditorium were several veterans’ organization booths that provided further information with pamphlets and information booklets.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 6, 2005

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Retiree Appreciation Day More than 300 former servicemembers attend event Dustin Perry Editor DUSTIN PERRY Robert Kelly, a military retiree, listens to information pertaining to upcoming Base Realignment and Closure changes during Retiree Appreciation Day held Saturday at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy auditorium. Retiree Appreciation Day was observed Saturday at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy auditorium and was attended by more than 300 former servicemembers. The event, which is held every year at military installations as required by an Army regulation, was held to honor America’s retirees and provide them information on legislative updates, medical benefit information and legal support, among others. “It’s an honor to be here with so many great veterans and retirees. Thank you all for your service to this country,” said El Paso Mayor John Cook, who was a guest at the event. “We appreciate you more than you know.” The call to order and the Pledge of Allegiance were given by retired Maj. Gen. Ed Greer, chairman of the Fort Bliss Retiree Council and the event’s master of ceremonies. Following an introduction, Col. Scott A. Marquardt discussed upcoming legislation involving the changes Base Realignment and Closure will bring. Marquardt spoke of an expected increase of more than 41,000 military and military-related personnel here by 2011. “Sleepy Biggs Army Airfield is about to become one of the largest power projection platforms in the free world,” said Marquardt. The veterans were then given a legislative update by retired Maj. Gen. William M. Matz, president of the National Association for Uniformed Services. Following that, Col. James Leech, commander of William Army Beaumont Medical Center, provided information and answered questions concerning the veterans’ health and health care-related issues. Representa-tives from the commissary, Post Exchange and the legal office were also speakers at the event. Fort Bliss’ Retired Services Officer Abel Duarte, who organized the event, said Retiree Appreciation Day is important because “the retirees are still serving in one way or another.” “This is to let the retirees know that the services they performed are appreciated, and that’s basically why we try to keep the retiree community informed,” said Duarte. Outside the auditorium were several veterans’ organization booths that provided further information with pamphlets and information booklets.