Fort Sill retiree appreciation set for Sept. 18-20

By Jeff Crawley, Fort Sill CannoneerSeptember 4, 2014

Flu shot
Flu shots will be given during Fort Sill's 36th Annual Retiree Appreciation Days open house Sept. 18 at Rinehart Fitness Center. About 600 people are expected during the three days of activities for military retirees and their families. For more info... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. (Sept. 4, 2014) -- For the first time, the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general will be the guest speaker at the Retiree Appreciation Days banquet. In addition to Maj. Gen. John Rossi, the dinner will feature special surprise entertainment along with a social.

The banquet is one of the activities during Fort Sill's 36th Annual Retiree Appreciation Days Sept. 18-20. Between 400 and 600 military retirees and their families from as far away as Missouri and Kansas are expected, said Mark Winburn, Fort Sill Retirement Services (RS) officer.

This is one of the biggest and best retiree appreciation days in the Army, Winburn said, referring to feedback he has received from Army headquarters.

Activities begin with a free open house Sept. 18 (Thursday), which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rinehart Fitness Center.

About 75 vendors will be on hand and will provide information from health and wellness to legal services to updates on health insurance, said Marilyn Tyler, RS human resources assistant.

Reynolds Army Community Hospital medical staff will man booths to provide flu shots, as well as health screenings and wellness tips. Army Community Service, the Army Substance Abuse Program and casualty assistance will also have booths.

"The booths are going to be red, white and blue," Winburn said. "It will look more professional than last year."

Some events and services offered will be similiar to last year.

Although legal assistance staff will be at the open house, they encourage retirees and their spouses to have scheduled appointments for Sept. 18. Attorneys will be on hand to prepare wills, advance directives, medical and durable powers of attorney and give legal advice on other matters on the fourth floor of the Welcome Center, Bldg. 4700 Mow-Way Road. Retirees with appointments will have priority over walk-ins. To make reservations, call 580-442-5058/5059.

Private home health care personnel from the community will also be on hand to talk about their products and services. Numerous veterans organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Oklahoma Women Veterans, will be on site, Tyler said.

On Sept. 19 (Friday), guided tours will be offered to the retirees. tours begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum, and take in the Old Post Quadrangle, cavalry barracks, Warrior's Journey exhibit, the old guardhouse and more.

At 8 a.m. attendees can attend the postwide retirement ceremony at the OPQ.

"The retirees always love the retirement ceremony because they get to see Soldiers in formation and the Field Artillery Half-Section and hear the band," Winburn said. "It also gives them a chance to welcome the Army's newest retirees."

Afterward, attendees can take a bus tour to the Holy City in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Retirees can sign up for the tours at the open house.

At 11:45 a.m. retirees may dine with Soldiers at the Garcia Dining Facility for $4.65, Winburn said.

"It's a great opportunity for the retirees to meet today's Soldiers, and for the Soldiers to hear from the veterans," he said.

At 5:30 p.m., the retiree appreciation banquet begins with registration and a social at Patriot Club.

Tickets are $10 and available through the Fort Sill Retiree Council through Sept. 5. If space is still available tickets may be purchased at the open house.

Winburn said three entertainers will perform at the banquet, but he didn't want to reveal them to spoil the surprise. The banquet will also feature many door prizes provided by the council.

Sept. 20 (Saturday) is reserved for the free Buffalo Burger Cookout at Fort Sill's Co-Op Park (behind the New Post Chapel) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be picnic food, music and other activities. The event is open to the public and sponsored by Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about retiree appreciation days, call Retirement Services at 580-442-2645.