Retirees continue to sacrifice, deserve thanks Published Sept. 18, 2007 By Col. Steve Kwast 4th Fighter Wing commander SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Retiree Appreciation Day is just around the corner and I encourage everyone to attend the activities September 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Enlisted Club. This event is geared toward helping retirees take care of essential needs, including issuing new identification cards and putting them in contact with many organizations that are well-equipped to educate and inform retirees of all benefits available to them. The retirees who live in our local area are pillars of the community, always reaching out to provide a helping hand to other organizations in need of support, whether it's in the pharmacy, Airman and Family Readiness Center, commissary or any other establishment on- or off-base. Having already given so much during their time in service, the retirees never balk at the opportunity to step up and shine. I encourage members of the 4th Fighter Wing to show the same spirit as our retirees and give some of their time, whether it's to help out in a booth or simply to stop by and give thanks for helping build the foundation our military is based on today. As Airmen, we should all be thankful and take this moment to recognize those who paved the way before us and one day, I hope we are as giving to the Airmen of the future as our retirees are to the Airmen of today. So come out to the Enlisted Club September 22 and say thank you, and the next time you see a retiree volunteering on- or off- base, give them your gratitude for continuing to serve this great nation.