Heroes: Moody preps festivities to celebrate retirees

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ceaira Tinsley
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Team Moody is scheduled to honor approximately 8,300 service members living in the surrounding areas during Retiree Appreciation Week here Oct. 26 through Nov. 1.

"I think it's so important for people serving in active duty now to not forget about the people that served before us because they set the ground work for us to do our job now," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Dustin Heideman, Retiree Appreciation Week project officer. "It's very important that we recognize this and take the time to show our appreciation to the retiree community and what they have done for us."

This year's theme is "Heroes" and one retiree selected by the committee will be acknowledged at the event.

"I've heard so much about heroes.  In the past, we've had several themes about service, continued service and commitment," said retired Chief Master Sgt. James Ingram, 23d Wing Retiree Activities Office director.  "I thought we should recognize that word "heroes" because we do have a number of heroes in our [retiree] community, some of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice." 

The week will consist of a golf tournament, base tour, static displays aircraft, ID card renewals, a picnic, bingo and a health fair. There will also be awards, gifts and door prizes offered at Saturday's event.

"Our golf tournament is probably one of the biggest events that we have during Retiree Appreciation Week," said Ingram. "During that time period, not only do we give out prizes for winners, but we have free food."

Throughout the years, Retiree Appreciation Week has changed but Moody is still expecting hundreds of retirees to participate.

"It's grown over the years; I had the very first program myself in 1998," said Ingram who has been the RAO director since 1998. "It has changed from about 25 people to the numbers that we receive today. We have had as many as 600 retirees participate and this year we're hoping for between 300 and 500 retirees."

No matter the changes Retiree Appreciation Week has gone through, it still remains a collaborative effort from the entire Team Moody family.

"We get tremendous participation from the active-duty community," said Ingram. "That's commendable because a lot of the active-duty people realize one day they're going to be retired as well.

"The wing commander is a big proponent of this program and he gives us everything that we need to make the program successful. Everybody on base contributes to the program somehow but one of the biggest contributors is the [23d Medical Group]," Ingram explained.

During Retiree Appreciation Week, the 23d MDG will host a health fair with: free flu shots, glaucoma screenings, and an "ask the doctor" table. Information booths for dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, women's health and TRICARE will also be available.

"One thing that is a big hit with the program is the free flu shots," said Ingram. "There will be an actual doctor from the med group there; he won't diagnosis anything, but he will answer questions that retirees might have."

Although Retiree Appreciation Week only happens yearly, the retiree community is still a part of the Team Moody family.

"We want them to know that they're not forgotten," said Ingram. "They might have gone on to other professions, but they are still an intricate part of the military family and they will always be."