Team Malmstrom honors service retirees

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Cloudy conditions didn't stop more than 200 military retirees from all over the state of Montana from coming to Malmstrom Air Force Base for the annual Retiree Appreciation Weekend May 17 to 18.

The weekend kicked off with a formal retreat ceremony at Medal of Honor Park. Col. Robert Stanley, 341st Missile Wing commander, welcomed the guests of honor and thanked them for their contribution during and after their time spent in the service.
Malmstrom's Honor Guard folded the flag as retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Ron Sperandeo, dressed in period uniform, played taps on his bugle for the special event. An array of colors and generations filled the park as active-duty members and service retirees saluted the flag.

Saturday started early with the clinic opening at 7 a.m. Retirees were greeted by numerous booths at the front entrance. Airmen mingled with retirees getting blood pressure and body mass index examinations. Fresh fruit, cookies, coffee and other goodies were available as retirees leisurely walked down the halls of the clinic to receive their health screenings. The Health and Wellness Center discussed healthy eating options and provided smoothies. The Orthopedic Center of Montana of Benefis Healthcare Systems returned to perform heel scans to measure bone density. Sletten Cancer Institute provided informational brochures as well as preventative measures for the retirees.

Following a morning of free medical procedures, including lab work, and dental and eye examinations, the Elkhorn Dining Facility served a brunch for the retirees. Members of the Retiree's Council also greeted visitors at the Commissary and Base Exchange.
The chapel provided a fact-finding event at 1 p.m. with briefings on wills, trusts and powers of attorney. Other briefings included casualty affairs, Veterans Affairs and the Social Security office.

Retirees and active-duty Airmen gathered at the Grizzly Bend for a formal appreciation dinner to conclude the weekend May 18. Retired Army Brig. Gen. Colleen McGuire was the guest speaker.

A native of Missoula, Mont., McGuire was the first woman to hold the position of Commanding General of the Army Criminal Investigation Command, Provost Marshall General of the Army and commandant of the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

To honor Year of the Military Women, four women were recognized including veteran Vivian Peterson, who enlisted in the Air Force more than 60 years ago, veteran Rose Maflin, and active-duty Airmen Col. Marné Deranger, 341st Missile Wing vice commander, and Maj. Ingrid Ford, 341st Medical Group health care integrator.

The evening concluded by announcing the 2012 Malmstrom Retiree Volunteer of the Year Award recipient - Gloria Miller.