Calling all Retirees! Published Sept. 29, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Whether you are recently retired or have been for many years now, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., has just the thing for you. On Oct. 22, 2011, Seymour Johnson AFB is holding a Retiree Appreciation Day at the Eagles Landing ballroom from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 1:30 p.m. "[This ceremony] is to honor and have a camaraderie gathering for area retirees and their spouses above and beyond volunteers that work on base," said William Watson, a retired master sergeant and the director of retiree activities office on base. This event has been occurring annually t since 1978. It is a way for the 4th Fighter Wing and local communities to thank and inform veterans and retirees. "Retiree Appreciation Day is an opportunity to thank [retirees] for their service and provide information booths on some of the upcoming events the base is putting on and some of the services that they are eligible for," said Colonel Anne Winkler, 4th Mission Support Group commander. There will be about sixteen different speakers ranging from local veteran associations explaining services they provide and security forces explaining the changes of the new ID cards. Additionally, local medical community will provide complementary services like blood pressure checks and will hand out information for retirees. A local Coast Guardsman is slated to give a lecture teaching about safe boating, said Watson. "There [will be] lots of force support squadron services represented and the medical community has people there providing complementary services," Winkler said. "[The retirees] will hear some words of wisdom and then the wing sponsors lunch!" Most retirees that participate in the Retiree Appreciation Day are from the World War II, Vietnam and Korea era, however, more retirees from the Cold War and Desert Shield and Storm era are starting to participate more. "This is just to show our appreciation for all they have done and the trials and tribulations they have experienced," Watson said. "That includes any veterans that are now retiring from the Cold War era and the Desert Shield or Storm and right on up. If they are a retired veteran we certainly welcome them. " "Please come out and let us show you how much we appreciate all that you did for this country during your time of service," Winkler said. For more information and to RSVP contact Watson at 919-722-1119.