Retiree Appreciation Day gives thanks and info

NEOSHO, Mo. -- The Missouri National Guard's Retirement Services Office, along with Joplin's 203rd Houn Dawg Retiree Association and Springfield's Patriot retiree associations, hosted a Retiree Appreciation Day for retired Soldiers of the Missouri Guard at Camp Crowder Saturday, October 22.

The event, attended by more than 100 retired Missouri Guard Soldiers and Family members, was designed to give guests the latest information concerning retirement benefits due southwest Missouri Soldiers who have served in the Missouri National Guard.

"We have representatives from Tricare, the Missouri Veterans Commission, Survivor Outreach Services, the Retirement Services Office and Social Security," said Jim Dunn, a member of the 203rd Houn Dawg Retiree Association, who also serves with the state-level Missouri National Guard Retiree Council.

"Tricare, especially, is important to a lot of these retirees," said Dunn of the military health, dental and pharmaceutical medications program.

The Missouri National Guard's Col. Gregory Fritz, commander of the 203rd Engineer Battalion, spoke to the audience about his command's role in the May 22 Joplin tornado, while Guard chaplain Col. Gary Gilmore addressed the Missouri National Guard Foundation's quest for a chapel and resiliency center to be built at Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

Gilmore, of Mount Versnon, also thanked retirees for their role in disaster recovery in Joplin.

"You all, especially the 203rd Houn Dawg Retiree Association, stepped up and helped out with the Joplin disaster," said Gilmore, urging continuing aid to those affected by the twister.

A hot lunch broke up the daylong event, giving southwest Missouri Guard retirees the chance to socialize and fan out to various vendors for one-on-one assistance, if needed.

"I basically came here for the Tricare update, to learn of changes to coverage," said retired Sgt. 1st Class Jose Sanchez. "I also met some other retirees I haven't seen in years and got caught up with them. It's a good event."

The southwest Missouri Retiree Appreciation Day comes on the heels of a retiree event held the week before in Kansas City, and before another event in Jackson on November 5. Guard retirees interested in events or benefits can call the Missouri Guard's Retirement Services Office at 573-638-9797 and or visit http://www.moguard.com/retirement-services.html.

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