Retiree Appreciation

Retiree Activities Council members Vivian and Scott Peterson, chat with fellow council members while getting ready to enjoy their dessert. First Sergeant Council members Master Sgts. Shelia Lawson and David Rice are shown in the background continuing to serve dessert to other members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Valerie Mullett)

Retiree Appreciation

Members of the First Sergeants Council work in tandem to plate food they prepared and served to members of the Retirees Activities Council Jan. 15. The dinner was hosted to thank the retirees for their hours of support to Operation Happy Holidays. Clockwise from bottom left are first sergeants Master Sgt. Matt Carroll, 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron; Senior Master Sgt. Tom Johnson, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron; Master Sgt. Robert Baker, 341st Security Forces Squadron; and Master Sgt. Sheila Lawson, 341st Operations Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Valerie Mullett)

First sergeants host retirees at appreciation dinner

Published Jan. 22, 2010
By Valerie Mullett
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Five members representing the Malmstrom First Sergeants Association treated 25 members of the Retiree Activities Council to a spaghetti dinner Jan. 15 at the chapel annex to say thank you to them for "continuing to serve."

The council, which normally meets the second Thursday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Elkhorn Diner, was approached at the December meeting by Master Sgt. Sheila Lawson, 341st Operations Group first sergeant, who proposed the tribute to them. The council was honored by the idea and voted to hold their January meeting in conjunction with the dinner.

"I was amazed at how much time, dedication and genuine caring these retirees put into making Operation Happy Holidays and Cookie Express such a huge success. Not only did they cater to Montana's deployed military members, they made sure they made enough cookies for our dormitory residents and 24-hour work center personnel, as well," Sergeant Lawson said. "We (the first sergeants) just wanted to let them know how much we truly appreciate their support."

While the first sergeants were busy putting the finishing touches on dinner, Council Director Denis Miller got the meeting started with the customary reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and introduction of guests, including Col. Anthony Cotton, 341st Missile Wing vice commander; and Chief Master Sgt. Cari Kent, 341st Missile Wing command chief.

"On behalf of Col. Fortney and all the active-duty members of Malmstrom, thank you . . . thank you . . . thank you," Colonel Cotton said. "When we were together last, we were packing boxes to be shipped overseas to our deployed in time for the holidays. I have been to many bases and I find your operation here to be an absolutely amazing fete - one that is filled with so much love and caring. You are truly a testament to the statement ' Once in the military, always in the military.' I can see it first hand with this group and your generous deeds."

Chief Kent echoed the colonel's sentiments and added her own thank you for including her in the evening of fellowship.

This is not the first year the retirees have volunteered and provided support to Operation Happy Holidays - the program is in its 11th year. However, this is the first year Sergeant Lawson and some of the other first sergeants have been exposed to the retiree's dedication to the program.

"They don't have to do it (support the military) anymore; they are retired," Sergeant Lawson said. "So what they do, to me, is just beyond words and we appreciate them so very much."