Retiree Appreciation Day Nov. 20

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ryan DeCamp
  • 56th 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. 20 beginning at Hangar 485.

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

"The day is one way of keeping our retirees informed and giving them a reason to come back to the base and get that old feeling of being a member of the greatest Air Force in the world," said Gary Westrack, Retiree Activities Office director and retired senior master sergeant. "The RAO wants to keep the retirees involved with the Air Force and show appreciation for their service in general. The military just has a way of getting in your blood."

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.

Booths from the 56th Force Support Squadron will have information about the following services: Fort Tuthill, Club Five Six, Falcon Dunes Golf Course and Information, Tickets and Travel, the library, fitness center, 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, but only on an "if-available" basis. 

The 56th Security Forces Squadron military working dog teams will perform demonstrations between 9 and 10:30 a.m. The 56th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team and a team with Luke Fire Emergency Services will also have demonstrations between 8:25 a.m. and noon. 

An F-16 and NA-50 static aircraft will also be on display around Hangar 485.
Beyond the displays, demonstrations and booths, RAD will also have food and drink for sale with music playing throughout the day.

Patrons are asked to go to Hangar 485 first and RAD staff will be available to point people to other buildings on base where events will be. Defense Biometric Identification System registration is scheduled to occur in Bldg. 1150 and at the South Gate Visitor's Center. Bldg. 1150 will also be open for identification card service.

Participants are encouraged to use the South Gate to access the RAD events as it is the closest gate to the opening ceremonies. The Lighting Gate will be closed Nov. 18 to the 22 for the installation of speed bumps. The North Gate will also be closed, leaving the South Gate and Kachina Gates as the only entrances and exits open during the event.
Roughly 850 people 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. They can be reached at (623) 856-3923 or via e-mail at RAO@luke.af.mil.  More information on the RAO can be found online at http://www.luke.af.mil and clicking on Retiree Activities Office.