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HEIDELBERG, Germany
– Retirees can take advantage of many services offered October 15,
during U.S. Army, Europe’s 25th Annual Retiree Appreciation Day at the
Patrick Henry Village Pavilion here, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The Retiree
Appreciation Day is a great opportunity for retirees to present their
concerns personally to a representative. The representatives are here to
address issues and ensure they are resolved. This event has a lot to
offer and it is our way of saying thank you,” explained 1st
Personnel Command Retirement Service Officer Bob McEntire. “USAREUR
continues to improve the Retirement Service Program. Please come and
show your support,” he added.
Retirees living in
Europe do not have access to a toll free number for Retired Pay
Operations, which can make it more difficult to resolve any problems or
concerns they have about their retired pay.
“During the USAREUR
Retiree Appreciation Day, I look forward to having the opportunity to
meet with retirees and annuitants on a one-to-one basis and being able
to provide personalized customer service by assisting with problems on
their account or by just answering questions in general about retired or
annuity pay,” explained John Benedict, Retired and Annuity Pay,
Cleveland.
“I will have with me
change of address forms, direct deposit forms, allotment forms, Arrears
of Pay beneficiary forms, and Federal tax withholding forms. Retirees
and annuitants that want to make any of these changes can complete the
form at the Open House. We will have access to the retired and annuity
pay system and will make changes on the spot,” he added.
If retirees are
reporting the death of a spouse in order to suspend the Survivor Benefit
Plan cost, they will need to provide a copy of their spouse’s death
certificate. If they are reporting a divorce, they will need to provide
a certified English translation of the divorce decree in order to
suspend the SBP cost.
Issuing ID cards is
one of the most important services that will be offered that day. ID
cards provide retirees access to their military benefits to include
Tri-Care, Moral Welfare and Recreation services and the commissary. ID
cards will be issued and personal records checked to insure that they
are in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database.
Proper documentation, like marriage certificates, birth certificates,
divorce papers, as well as any old ID card or other ID with a photo,
like passport or driver’s license, are necessary for ID cards to be
issued.
A National Personnel
Records Center representative will assist retirees with military
personnel and medical record questions and problems. Since the NPRC also
has custody of dependent medical records, they will assist with any
questions or problems relating to those types of records too.
“The National
Personnel Records Center’s participation in the 2005 USAREUR Retiree
Appreciation Day will allow retirees and their family member’s direct
contact with a representative of the Federal agency that has custody of
records essential to every military retiree,” explained Ronald Hindman,
Director of the NPRC.
The Patrick Henry
Village Dental Clinic will open its doors at 9:00 a.m. and will be
staffed by eight dentists and 10 hygienists who will provide general
dentistry and dental hygiene services. The goal is to provide our
valued retirees and their family members the opportunity to have an oral
exam to include a cancer screening, teeth cleaning and have some
restorative care completed. The PHV Dental Clinic will accomplish as
much dental care as possible with the staff present. Retirees from
outside the Heidelberg military community should bring their dental
records if available to facilitate treatment. All retirees must bring
their ID cards.
The U.S. Army Medical
Command, Heidelberg, and the Wellness Center will be providing a variety
of health care services and information. Information concerning heart
health, self-care, breast cancer, prostrate cancer and other topics will
be highlighted. Healthcare providers will review retiree’s preventive
annual health screenings and discuss lifestyle changes, as well as
appropriate follow-up actions. A dietitian will provide information on
diabetes and diet.
“Retirees and their
family members can come in and get their hearing checked, a glaucoma
screening and their blood pressure screened,” said Mr. Burgess, director
of the Wellness Center at Heidelberg’s Nachrichten Kaserne. “They can
even experience Paraffin Heat Therapy where they submerge their hand in
warm wax that is ideal for pain associated with arthritis and joint
stiffness,” he added.
There will be many
other services available.
The Association of
the United States Army (AUSA) will host an Ice Breaker on October 14th
from 6 p.m. through 8 p.m. Agency representatives, as well as
members of the Chain of Command, and retirees are invited. The Ice
Breaker will be in the Copper Lounge of the Village Pavilion. |
