Wing shifts policy on retiree access to Aragon

Published April 9, 2007
By Capt. Tracy Giles
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- The 21st Space Wing commander has revised policy to allow all military retirees to use the Aragon Dining Facility.

Col. Jay G. Santee's updated policy opens the Aragon doors to retirees during breakfast and dinner meals, federal holidays, Easter and the Air Force birthday. This new policy will maximize retiree access to the dining facility while minimizing interference service impacts to Essential Station Messing and TDY travelers during the busiest meal of the day - lunch.

"We hope our family of retirees understands how much we value their service and what they bring to our base community," said Col. Manuel A. Hidalgo, 21st Mission Support Group commander.

The 21st Services Squadron conducts regular surveys to monitor use rates. Survey data reflected the average number of people eating at the facility every day were 111 for breakfast, 259 for lunch and 113 for dinner. Faced with this dilemma, wing leadership set out to correct the logistical challenge by limiting the use of the dining facility by military retirees.

Local retirees offered candid feedback when access was restricted, said Senior Master Sgt. William Lindley, 21st Services Squadron.

The wing's senior leaders looked at the policy, crunched the numbers again and issued a less restrictive decision.

"Fortunately, we can offer lunch service to them at one of our many other Services eateries on base - The Consolidated Club, the bowling center snack bar and the golf course snack bar," Colonel Hidalgo said. "Additionally, AAFES has other options, especially with the opening of the new AAFES food court complex this summer.

"We appreciate the community bringing this to our attention," he said. "We assure you that the 21st Space Wing leadership considers our military retirees heroes, and thanks them for their continued honorable service to our nation."

The Aragon Dining Facility is open for breakfast 5:30 to 8 a.m. daily; brunch 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends and holidays; dinner 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday; 4:30 to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.

For information, call the facility manager at 556-4723.

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Aragon reopens to retirees