NH Air Guard Celebrates Annual Retiree Day

  • Published
  • By 2nd. Lt. Aaron McCarthy
  • 157th ARW Public Affairs
Pease Air National Guard Base --  Over 300 former and current members of the New Hampshire Air National Guard joined in celebrating Retiree Day at Pease Air National Guard Base Wednesday 15 June.

Retiree Day is an annual gathering and recognition of the people who made the NH Air National Guard what it is today.

"We've heard a lot about the greatest generation, this is our greatest generation right here," said Col. Paul Hutchinson, commander of the 157th Air Refueling Wing.

Former and current members use the day to swap stories from the wing's history and to catch up on current issues and news affecting the wing.

Some topics this year were the new KC-135 static display and the plans for the new Squadron Operations facility. The new building will house a heritage area, meant to highlight and display the wing's history.

"It is important to tell our history now and into the future so our young folks know where we came from," said retired Command Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Nadeau, former State Command Chief, who is leading the drive to gather wing stories and historical information. "These folks, who have been in the unit for 20 years, they have great stories to tell," Nadeau continued.

Brigadier Gen. Carolyn Protzmann, newly appointed commander of the NH Air National Guard, spoke about the importance of recognizing the service of the retired members and how the NH Air Guard is a family that cares for each other, even after the members move on.

Members were able to dress down, eat lunch together, and take a little time off from their normal duties to enjoy the afternoon with old friends.

This year's event was organized by Master Sgt. Michael Girouard, the Operations Group, the Minuteman Fund, and Mission's End.