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Johnny Rael, U.S. Army retired, learns about medical benefits from the 377th Medical Group Health Benefits information table at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., March 27, 2019. Kirtland’s Retiree Activities Office hosted the military retiree appreciation day where information tables were available to retirees to learn about benefits and resources accessible to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

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Guy Leahy, 377th Medical Group health promotion program coordinator, leads retirees in Tai Chi during military retiree appreciation day at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. March 27, 2019. Tai Chi is an ancient form of exercise that improves muscle strength and flexibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

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People learn from information tables at military retiree appreciation day at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., March 27, 2019. Kirtland’s Retiree Activities Office hosted the military retiree appreciation day where information tables were available to retirees to learn about benefits and resources accessible to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

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People get information and resources from the 377th Medical Group Pharmacy information table at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., March 27, 2019. Kirtland’s Retiree Activities Office hosted the military retiree appreciation day where information tables were available to retirees to learn about benefits and resources accessible to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

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Military retiree appreciation day was hosted by Kirtland’s Retiree Activities Office at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., March 27, 2019. Activities and information tables were available to retirees to learn about benefits and resources accessible to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

Retiree activities office re-energizes with military retiree appreciation day

Published April 1, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey
Kirtland Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --

The 377th Air Base Wing Retiree Activities Office hosted the 2019 Military Retiree Appreciation Day March 27, 2019, here.

Retired Air Force Col. Sally Uebelacker, the new RAO volunteer director and a team of three other volunteers, have been working hard to rebuild the office.

“We have reconstituted the office and we have been very busy the last six months because one of the things we wanted to do was have a retiree appreciation day,” said Uebelacker. “The last one was in 2010.”

Retirees at the appreciation day found the event very helpful.

“I think it is a great service,” said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Williams. “I have been very independent since my retirement 13 years ago, but being able to get the information and have one place where I can pick up stuff that I didn’t even know that I wanted. It’s a good thing and very useful.”

Uebelacker explained that one purpose of the RAO is to share information with the approximately 21,000 retirees of all military services that populate New Mexico.

“The next step for us is working on being able to push more information out to the retired community,” said Uebelacker. “We will be working with Public Affairs to get a presence on the Kirtland App so that we can keep information current out there.”

According to Uebelacker, her office is working with established veteran groups to make sure retirees are taken care of, no matter the situation.

“The other thing is to learn more about what the retiree community here wants and needs,” said Uebelacker. “Part of my role and responsibility, I believe, is to get out and network with the other veterans organizations and military retirees to help assess that. Because we exist to serve them.”

With the mindset of service, Uebelacker welcomes any and all questions that are troubling retirees.

“I would say my team are great problem solvers, so we want people to come if they are starting to hit a brick wall in getting something done,” said Uebelacker. “So I would encourage anybody who feels like they are stuck or they don’t know where to go because they retired several years ago and all the names of all the organizations names have changed; just call us because that’s why we’re there.”

According to Uebelacker, her office, which is run by volunteers, means that they all want to be there and just help with whatever questions or needs retirees have.

“We don’t have any other agenda than to help the retirees,” said Uebelacker.

The RAO is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 3:00 p.m. and is located in the Consolidated Support Building (Bldg. 20245) next to the Airman and Family Readiness Office. For more information, call the RAO at 505-846-1536.