Retiree Appreciation Day coming

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Denise Willhite
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Air Force Base will host its annual Retiree Appreciation Day from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 5 in Hangar 485.

The day's festivities are open to all retired military service members and their families. All the regular requirements to gain access to the base are still in effect.

"The retiree activities office is here to assist the military retiree from all services," said Norman Gagne, retiree activities office director. "This coming appreciation day is just one way of doing that."

RAD is scheduled to have an opening ceremony with a color guard, national anthem and comments from wing leadership. After the opening, booths will have information about services on base. Units at Luke will also perform demonstrations.

The 56th Security Forces Squadron military working dog teams will perform at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The 56th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team will perform between 8:30 a.m. and noon, and a team with Luke Fire Emergency Services will also have a demonstration at 10:30 a.m.

Booths from the 56th Force Support Squadron will have information about Fort Tuthill, Club Five Six, Falcon Dunes Golf Course, Information, Tickets and Travel, and Airman and Family Readiness Center. Other booths will have information about medical services offered to retirees.

Flu shots are also scheduled to be provided while supplies last.

A static F-16 and static aircraft will be displayed around Hangar 485.

Beyond the displays, demonstrations and booths, RAD will have food and drink with music playing throughout the day. The food and drink are provided by Golden Corral.

Participants are encouraged to use the South Gate to access the RAD events as it is the closest gate to the opening ceremonies. The North Gate will be closed during the event, but the Lightning Gate and Kachina Gate will be available for entrances and exits during the event.

"Retiree appreciation day is a big event for the base," said Capt. Matthew Nielson, 56th Medical Group ADAPT Program manager. "We want to honor them for their service and continued contribution to our community."

Nielson also mentioned that the activities at RAD are planned to provide top notch education and entertainment to show their appreciation to the retirees.

Roughly 520 retirees and family members attended last year's event. The tradition of Luke hosting a RAD began in 1973.

For more information on retiree appreciation day, call the retiree activities office at (623) 856-3923 or e-mail RAO@luke.af.mil. More information on the RAO can be found online at http://www.luke.af.mil. Click on retiree activities office.