Are you an Army retiree who would like the opportunity toinfluence decisions, policies and legislation that affects you? Areyou a widow or widower of a retiree who is interested in stayingabreast of the latest Army programs affecting your well-being? Orare you an active duty Soldier looking for someone to be anadvocate for you on issues that you would like to see lobbiedbefore Congress?
The Fort Eustis Retiree Council is ready to assist and supportyou with all of the above and much more. The council also works toresolve problems at the local level and forwards those issues thatcannot be resolved locally to the Chief of Staff of the Army. Itprovides Army leaders with insight into retirees’ needs andconcerns and provides retirees with a channel of communicationswith the active Army.
“The retiree council is represented throughout Fort Eustis andwe’re basically focused on service to the community, service to theretiree and service to the active Soldiers and their families aswell,” explained Maj. (Ret.) Edward A. “Ed” Rock Jr., retireecouncil chairman. “We are also a voice for active duty Soldiers onmatters of pay and benefits that they can’t necessarily speakon.”
The council consists of more than 25 members, with some servingon other committees and councils on Eustis including the McDonaldArmy Health Center Consumer Health Committee; AAFES Post ExchangeCouncil; Commissary Council; Human Resources Committee; Fort EustisClub Advisory Council and the Chief of Staff of the Army RetireeCouncil.
The council is an official organization appointed by thecommanding general. It is governed by Army Regulation 600-8-7,Retirement Services Program and membership includes retiredofficers, warrant officers, noncommissioned officers and widows andwidowers of retirees.
According to Rock, the motto of the retiree community is“Retired, but still serving.” “We are a conduit and a voice for theretired community through the chain of command all the way up tothe Department of Defense for issues and concerns involvingretirees and the community – things the retirees can do in apositive way to aid and assist the active Army and ways that we canhelp each other.”
Rock discussed several initiatives the council has been involvedwith including the movement to eliminate social security numbersfrom retiree and retiree family member ID cards – an issue that iscurrently before Congress.
TRICARE for Life is another issue important to retirees whereMEDICARE is the primary payer and TRICARE is the secondary payer,even for those retirees past 65 years of age. Retirees continue topush concurrent receipt because it benefits both them and theactive force as they reach retirement and receive disabilitypayments without having to forfeit part of their retirementpayments.
“Some of the improvements to the Survivor’s Benefit Plan havecome about because of the retired community,” Rock said. “Thesocial security offset when you reach age 62 has been eliminatedand should reach the 55 percent level by 2009 and stay there. Also,if you’re age 70 and have paid in 360 months of premiums, you canstop paying and continue the benefit. Retirees have been very bigon working that particular issue.”
Council member Peg Boarman, retiree widow representative, spokeof her efforts as a council volunteer in trying to make adifference and to ensure widows and widowers know they have supportand a voice. “I’d like the surviving spouses of retired personnelto know they do have an advocate. I serve as that representative onthe council and I can try to help get them in the right directionif they need it.”
The council is always actively looking for volunteers. “Thereare about 1,000 volunteers on Fort Eustis that volunteer in variousways and in various amounts of time. Out of that 1,000, a lot ofthem are retirees. They volunteer in numerous capacities – you’llfind them everywhere on post,” stated Maj. (Ret.) Richard C. (Dick)Tarr, council member and stated Maj. (Ret.) Richard C. “Dick” Tarr,council member and Commissary/AAFES representative.
Rock added, “We work hard, we play hard, we have a good time andwe invite retirees to come join us any time of the year. If we canfind more retirees who will volunteer to help, it makes the loadeasier. You get a better cross section of ideas when you have a lotof volunteers and you could not run Fort Eustis or any militaryinstallation without volunteers.”
Individuals interested in volunteering for the retiree councilmay contact any council member. Meetings are held every other monthon the third Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Fort Eustis ClubRegimental Room. The next meeting takes place Nov. 20.
Rock spoke enthusiastically about this year’s annual RetireeAppreciation Day, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 6. “It isone of the best Retiree Day’s in the Army. We have between 30 to 35organizations coming out this year and the opening ceremony startsat 9 a.m. in the Post Exchange Food Court.”
Information booths will be available in the main exchange mallarea and copies of the Fort Eustis Retiree Newsletter, “TheInformer” will be handed out. Attendees will be able to play freegames and spin the “Wheel of Fortune” in the PX for specialdiscounts. The event also features free refreshments, raffles, doorprizes, freebies and bowling and golf discounts. Case lot saleswill be available at the Commissary..
“We will also have council representatives at a table over atthe Commissary so we can catch people going through there as well.People can register for raffles and drawings at both locations,”said Rock.
The AAFES Driver of the Year will be outside in the PX parkinglot showcasing his 18-wheeler truck. Antique cars and trucks willbe on display along with MWR outdoor recreation vehicles andmotorcycles from American Legion Post 316 in Newport News.
“These are all things that retirees participate in, sometimesbefore they retire and a lot of times after they retire,” saidTarr. “They get a kick out of it and we like to have them displaytheir things during Retiree Appreciation Day.”
Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Moses Gayle Jr., retiree council co-chairman,noted Rock’s outstanding performance as council chairman. “In anyorganization, a good leader is recognized and respected. Thecouncil has made great strides under Rock’s leadership and he hasdone a tremendous job.”
The event is free and open to all. More information is availableby calling Rock at 874-9152.
Members of the council are: co-chairman Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) MosesGayle Jr.; Col. Andrew Bowes (Garrison Commander); Col. (Ret.)Charles Jones; recorder Col. (Ret.) Maurice Alexander; Lt. Col.(Ret.) Monica Lee (Adjutant General); Lt. Col. (Ret.) LawrenceStrauss; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert Price (Chapel); Maj. (Ret.) Richard“Dick” Tarr (Commissary/AAFES); Chief Warrant Officer (Ret.) HermanFuller (DOL); Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Clarence Best (Logistics);Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Charles Harris; Command Sgt. Maj. Carolyn Johnson(Garrison CSM); 1st Sgt. (Ret.) Richard Matthias (emeritus); Sgt.Maj. (Ret.) Michael Stewart; Master Sgt. (Ret.) Tyrone Fuller (AG);Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Princes Baker; Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) RufusPittman; Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Larry Sigmon; Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.)Lei Lana Gates; Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Doris Harvey (AG); Sgt. 1stClass (Ret.) Carla Platteborze; Sgt. (Ret.) Bob Hayes(Committee-at-large); Peg Boarman (Widow Representative);Retirement Services Officer Deatrice Elie; Steven Villeneuve(Commissary); Melissa Cleary (AAFES); Hope Kujawski (MCAHC); RickHaverinen (PAO); Melynda Weaver (Customer Management Services);Greg Russell (AG); Allen Smith (Fort Eustis Club).
