Letter from:
Robert V. Clements, Brig. General, USAF(ret)
- to-
Michael E. Ryan, General, USAF, Chief of Staff

The following letters of commendation were accepted by Brig. General Robert Clements, MSGT Jim Whittington, and MSGT Floyd Sears, on behalf of, all military retirees, their spouses, and widows. In actuality, it was the teamwork of the military retiree grass roots effort nationwide that brought the subject events to the attention of Generals Michael E. Ryan and Charles T. Robertson (both now retired). Military leaders at all echelons watched very closely as the TFL legislation progressed through the Congress. This historic piece of legislation not only helped the military retirees, but also their Spouses and Widows. Simply put: "It was the right thing to do"

Letter from:
Michael E. Ryan, General, USAF, Chief of Staff
- to-
Robert V. Clements, Brig. General, USAF(ret)

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF WASHINGTON, DC JAN 3 2001 HQ USAF/CC 1670 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1670 Brigadier General Robert V. Clements, USAF (Ret) 2100 Boyer Drive Carmichael, CA 95608-5522 Dear General Clements Your outstanding leadership, guidance and focus during the national grassroots effort to expand health care benefits for military retirees has not gone unnoticed. You've earned the heartfelt praise, admiration and respect of retired enlisted, officer and family members whose cause you championed. As you know, the Air Force has been vocal and visible in the fight for health care benefits for Medicare-eligible retirees. You should take great pride in the recently signed 2001 National Defense Authorization Act. It reflects your hard work, and the dedication of our proud military retiree community, senior leaders in Department of Defense Health affairs, the services and Congress. More importantly, it fulfills the promise and entitlement of lifetime medical benefits for all military retirees and their families. The selfless work you've done is just as noble as the cause that first brought you to the military -- public service for our great nation. On behalf of all current and future Air Force retirees, I applaud your accomplishments and commend your actions; they were above and beyond the call of duty. [signed] MICHAEL E. RYAN General, USAF Chief of Staff

Letters To:
Jim Whittington, MSGT, USAF(Ret)
- and -
Floyd Sears, MSGT, USAF(Ret)

COMMANDER AIR MOBILITY COMMAND SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE ILLINOIS 62225-5310 4 December 2000 Master Sergeant Jim Whittington, USAF (Ret) 622 West 21 Street Laurel, MS 39440 Dear Sergeant Whittington The Fiscal Year 2001 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law by President Clinton on 30 October, contains landmark advances in health care benefits for our military's senior patriots. Through Brigadier General (Retired) Bob Clements, I have watched you and Floyd Sears, over the past several years, as your dedicated and "smart" hard work led the charge to the passage of this far-reaching legislation. Put very simply, you truly deserve the heartfelt thanks of every man and woman in uniform, as well as all those retirees who, over the years, have set the example and the standard that we follow today. It is with tremendous gratitude that I thank you for this monumental achievement! Sincerely [signed] CHARLES T. ROBERTSON, JR. General, USAF

COMMANDER AIR MOBILITY COMMAND SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE ILLINOIS 62225-5310 4 December 2000 Master Sergeant Floyd Sears, USAF (Ret) 1713 Carpenter Circle Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 Dear Sergeant Sears The Fiscal Year 2001 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law by President Clinton on 30 October, contains landmark advances in health care benefits for our military's senior patriots. Through Brigadier General (Retired) Bob Clements, I have watched you and Jim Whittington, over the past several years, as your dedicated and "smart" hard work led the charge to the passage of this far-reaching legislation. Put very simply, you truly deserve the heartfelt thanks of every man and woman in uniform, as well as all those retirees who, over the years, have set the example and the standard that we follow today. It is with tremendous gratitude that I thank you for this monumental achievement! Sincerely [signed] CHARLES T. ROBERTSON, JR. General, USAF

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF WASHINGTON, DC JAN 3 2001 HQ USAF/CC 1670 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1670 MSgt Jim Whittington, USAF (Ret) 622 West 21 Street Laurel, MS 39440 Dear Sergeant Whittington It has been brought to my attention that you had a key role in organizing the military retiree community and mobilizing a national grassroots effort that initiated and resulted in the introduction of the Keep Our Promise Act. As you know, the Air Force has been vocal and visible in the fight for health care benefits for Medicare-eligible retirees. You should take great pride in the recently signed 2001 National Defense Authorization Act which provides every uniformed services retiree over 65 and their family members expanded health care benefits. This act directly reflects your hard work and the dedication of our proud military retiree community, senior leaders in Department of Defense Health affairs, the services and Congress. More importantly, it fulfills the promise and entitlement of lifetime medical benefits for all military retirees and their families. The selfless work you've done is just as noble as the cause that first brought you to the military -- public service for our great nation. On behalf of all current and future Air Force retirees, I salute your efforts, applaud your accomplishments and commend your actions; they were above and beyond the call of duty. [signed] MICHAEL E. RYAN General, USAF Chief of Staff

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF WASHINGTON, DC JAN 3 2001 HQ USAF/CC 1670 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1670 MSgt Floyd Sears, USAF (Ret) 1713 Carpenter Dr Ocean Springs, MS 39564-2918 Dear Sergeant Sears It has been brought to my attention that you had a key role in organizing the military retiree community and mobilizing a national grassroots effort that initiated and resulted in the introduction of the Keep Our Promise Act. As you know, the Air Force has been vocal and visible in the fight for health care benefits for Medicare-eligible retirees. You should take great pride in the recently signed 2001 National Defense Authorization Act which provides every uniformed services retiree over 65 and their family members expanded health care benefits. This act directly reflects your hard work and the dedication of our proud military retiree community, senior leaders in Department of Defense Health affairs, the services and Congress. More importantly, it fulfills the promise and entitlement of lifetime medical benefits for all military retirees and their families. The selfless work you've done is just as noble as the cause that first brought you to the military -- public service for our great nation. On behalf of all current and future Air Force retirees, I salute your efforts, applaud your accomplishments and commend your actions; they were above and beyond the call of duty. [signed] MICHAEL E. RYAN General, USAF Chief of Staff

Note:
The content of the letters on this web page were extracted from the actual letters. The original physical letters are on file.

 

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